kids – Page 3 – Jean's Writing

Happy Hour

Published on June 25, 2013 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

We’ve all joked about having a stiff one at the end of the day. And I’m sure most of you know Jimmy Buffett’s popular song, “It’s five o’clock somewhere”.

Today it’s time to get drunk. Life can be hard and life can be fun, if you’re drunk it doesn’t matter. Yes, you heard me right. So, I’m gonna dust myself off and grab the gusto while I still can.

Pick a passion, grab it with both hands and hold on for dear life. The word drunk means intoxicated, and under the influence but not just on margaritas. Think of who and what influences you every day. The people, or things that put a smile on your face and help you make it through the night. Then get drunk on life.

My thanks to Flash Fiction Chronicles for reminding me to look for these things today and for the thought provoking works of Charles Baudelaire.

Be Drunk

By Charles Baudelaire

translated by Louis Simpson

You have to be always drunk. That’s all there is to it—it’s the only way.

So as not to feel the horrible burden of time that breaks your back and bends you to the earth, you have to be continually drunk.

But on what? Wine, poetry or virtue, as you wish. But be drunk.

And if sometimes, on the steps of a palace or the green grass of a ditch, in the mournful solitude of your room, you wake again, drunkenness already diminishing or gone, ask the wind, the wave, the star, the bird, the clock, everything that is flying, everything that is groaning, everything that is rolling, everything that is singing, everything that is speaking. Ask what time it is and wind, wave, star, bird, clock will answer you: “It is time to be drunk! So as not to be the martyred slaves of time, be drunk, be continually drunk! On wine, on poetry or on virtue as you wish.”

– See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16054#sthash.dR0XZcHr.dpuf

Be Drunk by Charles Baudelaire (thejourneytoadream.wordpress.com)
One Chilly Night in Margaritaville (rattleandhumsports.com)
How One Jimmy Buffett Song Became A $100 Million Empire (businessinsider.com)
Margarita (cocktailtube.wordpress.com)

Do it For Pleasure

Published on December 15, 2012December 15, 2012 by Jean M. Cogdell1 Comment

My novel stalled over the summer, but then I remembered why I’d started this book. It began as a project for my granddaughters. A recent conversation with one of them prompted me to get off my procrastinating duff and get busy. I’d allowed myself to be sidelined by many of the blogs and self-help articles on how to write, sell and publish.

My Inbox filled to overflowing, reading one after another, soon I’m sucked in, and the day is gone. Now don’t get me wrong, nine out of ten are terrific and worth reading if that’s how I wished to spend my time, but I’ve got a novel to write.

Since that day things have been progressing much better. I’m still not moving at lightening speed but after the holidays, I plan on no excuses.

After the events in Connecticut yesterday, I’m reminded once more how precious time is and if I’m to finish my novel before my grandkids have kids of their own, I will keep my goal in sight. So, I’ll do my best to remember the only accolades I want or need for this book are the ones coming from five adoring fans who think I’m great no matter how many copies I’ll sell. They are my target audience.

Should anyone else enjoy the words I put between the first page and last, well that’ll be icing on the cake. Now I’ve some writing to do for the love of some young readers and the pure pleasure of writing.

Stay motivated.

Jean