Sensory Glimpses

Well, I started a new blog today.  

Absurd?  Possibly.  Exciting to me?  YES!

(My cover photo for the new blog)

Shauna Niequist posted her favorite writing advice (HERE), suggesting that aspiring authors should practice capturing the sensory details, writing about a snapshot of time using all five senses to the extent possible.  She calls it "glimpses" and recommends writing three very detailed glimpses every day.  I'm shooting for two a day for now, one from the present and one from any past event that comes to mind.  

Shauna says that as you get in the habit of writing these down, you start to notice more details and get better at describing them vividly in a way that connects with people.  I love everything about that advice!  As an introvert who focuses on the emotional details and spiritual metaphors, the more tangible sights, sounds, smells, textures, and tastes tend to get overlooked in my writing.  It's something I want to grow in, and this practice method sounds fun!  This morning, I wrote about my CF brunch with Mom on Sunday and about this 2015 dinner at Jeff's eight years ago today... it took me a while, so I might've been too detailed or covered too much time... but it was fun!

How much do I love this group!?  This pic has been the screensaver on my home computer since I moved into the new place last October. =) Kind of a random choice considering all the group pictures we've taken in the past eight years, but it brings me joy every time I see it.  

Shauna says, "Noticing is sacred work... it all matters, all of it."  Anyway, I'm keeping the "Glimpses" blog private, but I believe this deliberate practice will make my future book much better and richer, and hopefully lead to me feeling more fully present and connected to the sensory details in everyday life! ❤

"Here's to the details, to living as a noticer, to choosing to believe that it all matters, because our lives matter—the big and the little, the wild and the mundane, the dreams and the snacks, the whispers and the howls and the whole big thing. It all matters." 
~Shauna Niequist