Storymaker Magic

I'M A STORY MAKER & I LOVE IT! 

So having a blast at the LDStorymakers Conference was easy— 

Leaving was hard. 
Only one other car on the parking level when I left.

Taking the elevator IN from the parking palace—exhilerating.

Riding it OUT—excruciating.

Makes me think of Amber Argyle's captivating class when she said a flaw in the magic could be good and bad. The magic of that elevator lost its coolness when it ushered me away from friendly agents & editors, fascinating presentations, and amazing writer friends.

But you know what I think?—if life hands you a flaw in the magic, 

DON'T PROCEED WITH CAUTION!

(Take a guess at what brilliant thing I was saying right there. 

Hey, I was tired!)

Outside Lies Magic!

OUTSIDE LIES MAGIC.

Doesn’t that shiver your senses? Harvard professor, John R. Stilgoe isn’t talking about spells, rather about the magic of noticing. His book, Outside Lies Magic, in a sense, embodies what my blog is all about—exploring for the pleasure of noticing. And that’s real magic!

“Exploration encourages creativity, serendipity, invention,” he says.

Here, read a portion of the book flap and see what I mean —

NOW THAT'S FASCINATING, INTRIGUING, ENERGIZING!

Here’s a quote from the book:

 “Exploring sharpens the skills and makes explorers realize that all the skills acquired in the probing and poking at ordinary space, everything from noticing nuances in house paint to seeing great geographical patterns from a hilltop almost no one bothers to climb, are cross-training for dealing with the vicissitudes of life. Exploring ordinary landscape sharpens all the skills of exploration.”

Hey, I have an idea! How about you try it? Go out and explore Stilgoe style. Then come back and tell me about the MAGIC you discovered. I can’t wait to hear what you found!

I LOVE THIS BOOK!

I’LL TALK WITH YOU NEXT POST! SEE YOU THEN!

P. S.

Hello everyone,

As I am a bit of an eccentric, I enjoyed areas of this book that some might find less interesting. I wanted to add the rest of the jacket copy so you have more of a feel of the book, just in case you’re not as eccentric as I am, and so you won’t feel misled. :D

Here it is:

“Exploration encourages creativity, serendipity, invention, he writes. And while sharing his insights on how to explore, Stilgoe provides a fascinating pocket history of the American landscape, as striking in its originality as it is revealing. Stilgoe dissects our visual surroundings; his observations will transform the way you see everything. Through his eyes, an abandoned railroad line is redolent of history and future promise; front lawns recall our agrarian past; vacant lots hold cathedrals of potential.

            From the electrical grid overhead to fences, malls, and main streets. Stilgoe offers a fresh understanding of the links and fractures in our society. After reading Outside Lies Magic, your world will never look the same again.

THANKS FOR LISTENING! ENJOY!