The Most Interesting Thing: Problem Solving

"No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it."
--Albert Einstein

E=MC???

Have you wrestled with a problem lately? I have. For the past few months, I've been pondering two major problems--mysteries--waiting to be solved. One is a lifelong health mystery. The other is a car dying mystery. Both undiagnosable by the so-called experts. I am happy to announce that last week both problems were solved by the use of inductive reasoning. In just one week, my health has improved dramatically and my car is starting consistently. Yay!!!

I've always loved problem solving. True confession: I was a member of my high school math team. But there's something way more fun to solve than math equations in our writing lives--the ubiquitous story problem.

We writers are often faced with story problems that we create ourselves. I love to brainstorm ideas on how to fix them. Sometimes the solutions are so simple. Just a minor tweak and voilà--story fixed! I find that solutions to story problems often arrive in those foggy moments of barely conscious, first thing in the morning. A different level of consciousness, as Mr. Einstein put it. 

How do you go about solving story problems? Any tips?

The Most Interesting Thing: Readable Books

"The virtue of books is to be readable." 

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

What makes a book readable? I don't think I've ever picked up a book that wasn't readable, but some of them are very putdownable. Some are harder to read than others. What makes a book easy to read? Here are a few of my random thoughts on the matter:

Engaging story
Invisible writing
Intriguing characters
Beautiful use of language
Pacing that moves along at a fast clip

What do you think makes a book readable? Please add to my list. 

The Most Interesting Thing: Signs of Change

"Of course I wasn't eating the sunflowers!" >¨<

Signs that my life is getting better:

*My desire to write has returned
*The leaves on my ancient apple tree are emerging
*Got a part-time summer job at my favorite European Café
*Discovered a way to have hot tea delivered bedside again without getting up
*After five months of stubborn silence, my Persian prince is speaking to me again >¨<

Is your life getting better? In what ways?

If you are Denise Jaden, your life just got better because you helped me out of my PICKLE!

The Most Interesting Thing: In A PICKLE

I really am in a pickle. See, I have this hilarious book by an even funnier author, Kim Baker , and I don't know who to give it to. If you think you should be the owner of this great book, please tell me why you're the right person to help me out of this pickle. You have one week to leave a comment starting NOW. Thanks.

March Madness Day 27 Check-In

I set goals March First

I achieved goals March Twenty-Fourth

I've been sick, sad, and frustrated

But I've been encouraged

I wouldn't have done it without all of you

I give you thanks

 Has it been crazy? Has it worked?

Jaime Callahan

Go pick your prize: HERE

And then email Denise at: d(at)denisejaden(dot)com

See you all tomorrow at Mary Ann Scott's

March Madness Day 20 Check-In

“It was such a spring day as breathes into a man an ineffable yearning, a painful sweetness, a longing that makes him stand motionless, looking at the leaves or grass, and fling out his arms to embrace he knows not what.”― John Galsworthy, The Forsyte Saga

Today is the first day of my favorite season. Welcome to spring, Wipsters! 

We have another winner:

Joy MC

You can go to this post to pick your prize (you have your choice of any of the remaining ones) http://denisejaden.blogspot.ca/2013/03/march-madness-is-here-wipmadness.html

And then you can email Denise your choice at d(at)denisejaden(dot)com and we will get it to you.

Springtime is amazing. Crocus and daffodils bloom where less than two weeks ago a foot of snow covered the ground. That always astonishes me.

The beauty in my current WIP seems to be buried under a foot of snow.

As I attempt to breathe life into the cold first draft that has laid dormant for over a year, I am searching for the beauty that lies beneath the surface. If I give this story some rain and the warmth of the sun, maybe it will blossom into something breathtaking. 

What are your thoughts on springtime and writing?

MARCH MADNESS DAY 13 CHECK-IN

“A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.” 

― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own

I share my writing space
with a Persian prince. 

I don't know about money, but this woman definitely has to have a room of her own if she's gonna write fiction. My new favorite writing spot is on a sheepskin rug, in front of an ancient gas heater, under a huge skylight in the living room of my amazing 100-year-old upstairs apartment. 

Sometimes I pause and gaze  out the window at the backside of the public library.

Taken at sunset this past weekend

Do you have a room of your own? How about a special spot that inspires? Describe it for us. How's your writing or reading or blogging enhanced by being in this space?

And now for a special announcement:

We have another winner!

Chris

You can go to this post to pick your prize (you have your choice of any of the remaining ones). http://denisejaden.blogspot.ca/2013/03/march-madness-is-here-wipmadness.html

And then you can email Denise your choice at d(at)denisejaden(dot)com and we'll get it to you.

Thanks for stopping by. See you next week. ^_^

Tomorrow's check-in will be at Mary Ann Scott's