"Write now is good."

They see plants; I see books.

The various incarnations of the classic bookshelf continue to inspire me.

Add this one to a steadily growing category of "bookshelf furniture".

Found at Below the Clouds.

Be an AWESOME writer

Last month, I wrote a post about a very insightful and funny YouTube video called "Book Launch 2.0". It features Dennis Cass, an accomplished writer and the author of Head Case, conversing with a phone-friend about the pros and cons of using new and social media to launch books.

For those of you who enjoyed Cass's video also, I've got good news: he has created an online community. Its goal: to make creative people more effective and successful at their creative lives and careers. It is called, appropriately, "Dennis Cass Wants You To Be More Awesome."

DCWYTBMA is a site full of "advice, jokes and tough love for people who want to make a living making culture." Dennis regularly answers members' questions, providing sound advice on a variety of relevant topics. The community is active, full of creatives commenting with additional viewpoints and examples. Plus, he features an "Awesomizer" to help improve creative endeavors; it has made me look at some pop culture mainstays with a fresh perspective.

I strongly believe that participating in writing/creative groups (even online!) can help their participants grow in their work, get unstuck when creative blocks arise, and provide camaraderie and support when the creative road is nothing but potholes and speed traps. (If you have done anything creative ever in your life, then you know the ride can get bumpy...)

While reading Cass's articles and answers, I have laughed out loud many times. Knowledgeable creative-career guidance + original insights + active community + humor = WIN! And if you sign up, I'll see you there.

Blogscope down for a moment

Photo: "Yellow Submarine" by benjcarson

Surrounded by impending deadlines, my own personal yellow blogging submarine is submerged in creativity, inspiration and a vast ocean of words.

Thanks to everyone who submitted links to assist my quest for blogs. This choice information has inspired me to create a few posts based on all of it.

More soon!

Dance! It may improve your writing.

If you're reading this post, you spend some time online. And if you've spent any time online over the past week, you have probably seen the following massively played video.

While I've enjoyed Dancing Matt Harding's joyful, international dance-travel just because it's magical, I've discovered another compelling reason why he is a revolutionary of inspiration. One of today's posts on the Well blog from the New York Times mentions studies which tie dancing to increased brain functioning and healing. An excerpt:

...A telling 2003 New England Journal of Medicine report showed a lower risk for dementia among people over 75 who regularly danced during leisure time. But what was so surprising about the report is that other types of physical exercise didn’t affect dementia risk — dancing was the only physical activity that made a difference.

Other studies have shown music plays an important role in depression. Dance therapy has been used to relieve anxiety about taking tests, and researchers are studying the tango to help patients with Parkinson’s. Dance therapy has been shown to improve the quality of life for breast cancer patients as well...

I've joked in past posts that I use my writing music mixes for "my pre-writing dance session". Now I see a connection between these fun, solitary dance sessions giving my brain power a boost and, possibly, improving my writing.

So, in honor of inspiring dancer Matt and dancers/writers worldwide, stand up, clear yourself a private dance floor, and improve your writing skills — by dancing. Enjoy.

First, own a massive wall

Being slightly obsessed with bookshelf furniture, I stared at this photo of a room, seemingly built around the books.

Placed in front of these shelves and to the grand piano's left is a small writing desk. I read the post and discovered that this house of light, space and words belongs to a writer. (Who? The post's author did not divulge.)

Mysterious.

Found at NOTCOT.

Searching for blogs

Photo: "an i" by Magitisa

Yes, I'm on the hunt.

I'm looking for good blogs on writing, creativity, media and inspiration.

Please leave a comment with any you'd like to share. Thanks!

237 is the magic number

Our collaborative book-in-progress The Age of Conversation: Why Don't People Get It? is moving right along. According to Drew McLellan and Gavin Heaton, it is currently being edited. The original list of 275 authors has finalized at 237. The work will be published in August 2008, and all sales proceeds go to Variety, the Children's Charity.

To see who all of these generous, insightful bloggers are, click here.

Interested in the AOC background? These posts will give you the story. If you have not yet purchased your copy of our first collaborative book, titled "The Age of Conversation", click here to buy it from Amazon.

Book masterpieces, summarized in six words

Photo: "teeny tiny book i bound" by robayre

Quick link: "Six Word Cliffs Notes" from SMITH Magazine (via Salon's "Table Talk"). One example:

The times were good. Also bad.
A Tale of Two Cities

Anyone feeling brief today? Leave a comment with your tiny summations.