Comments on: Fun: The Writer’s Life: Shifting Perspectives – Writer’s Cruise

By: Anne Tyler Lord

Anne Tyler Lord — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:05:38 +0000

Hi Deanna,

Ouch! So sorry for the fall, you’ll probably feel weird pains for quite awhile. A Caribbean vacation – how wonderful! I can relate to the need to prioritize – so many great ideas, so limited time to get to them.

By: Deanna Schrayer

Deanna Schrayer — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:54:45 +0000

Hi Anne,
So sorry it’s taken me so long to stop by, but I’m glad I did. Interesting that we’re talking about Fantasy Island – we’re actually thinking about visiting the Carribean for vacation this year. If only the earthquakes will settle down and I can be knocked out for the entire plane ride it may be a go. Of course this is considering both my husband and I still have jobs….it’s kind of scary with all the lay offs going on.
Anyway, I’m not doing so great at the moment, but I was this morning – at least until I fell flat on my hind-end at work, and of course it would have to happen on the only day I go in to the office to ensure there were many witnesses. Other than a little bruised pride though I think I’m all right.
Writing-wise however, not that great. I believe I’m trying to tackle too much at once, which is never a good idea, no matter what it is we do. I may need to take a little time out in order to get back on track, but no rash decisions – I’ll think on it some more tomorrow.
Congratulations on your weight loss! That is fantastic! And I know your writing will follow right along. I can’t imagine your creative bone would stay sore for very long.
Here’s to a brighter tomorrow!

By: Anne Tyler Lord

Anne Tyler Lord — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:07:33 +0000

I agree! Winter is so over for me, now if only the snow & cold would listen!

By: G.P. Ching

G.P. Ching — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:04:49 +0000

I am so sick of the freezing, snowy, February weather in my area, your post made me yearn for warmer climates. How many more weeks of winter?

By: Anne Tyler Lord

Anne Tyler Lord — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:54:19 +0000

Hi Cynthia,

As we discussed on Twitter this morning, I am also trying to do less screen time. Don’t be angry at yourself – a month or two off is still amazing.

That is a huge amount of weight loss for the first two months! Congratulations!

Thanks for the magic wand – I think that is a wonderful idea!! We can pass it around!

I’m so glad the 70′s are over, too. It is so distracting in some of these shows to watch just because of the clothes and hair.

Observation to everyone – I can tell several of us have a few perfectionistic tendencies in this group of friends – including myself. We all want to have huge progress in every part of our life and I even want to control the weather. But, I am amazed by how much progress we have all reported in the past 8-9 weeks. When we make progress in one area, the others hang out and wait their turn! That is great!

By: Anne Tyler Lord

Anne Tyler Lord — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:47:32 +0000

Laura, yes, not gaining is great progress!

I think those of us that write fiction visit Fantasy Island quite often.
It would just be nice if the muse was Mr. Roarke, who grants our wishes, was ALWAYS there.

By: Anne Tyler Lord

Anne Tyler Lord — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:44:49 +0000

Thanks Cole. I agree. Continuing to just keep going is an accomplishment, even if it is slow or holding still in some ways, it is still progress.

There is a long-standing debate – Ginger vs. Mary Ann, I had fun reading about it. Here is a fun article:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Ginger-Or-Mary-Ann-The-Eternal-Question

By: Cynthia Schuerr

Cynthia Schuerr — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:41:10 +0000

Well, 2 months already, WOW! We have hung in there together. I haven’t checked in the last 2 weeks because of time constraints. I find I am spending way too much time looking at this screen. So much so, that I am loosing track of my goal to submit my novel, by June. I am angry at myself because of it. I will let it go and if I am not ready until July or August, it will still be an accomplishment for me.

I am still walking, whether indoor or outdoor, but I
must admit that my eating habits haven’t been as healthy as I would like them to be. And I can feel the difference, immediately. My total weight loss is 23 lbs. So I am happy with that. But I have a lot more to go I have learned to be patient with myself.

Anne, congrats on your accomplishments and thank you for this forum and all of your creative inspiration. I wish I could wave a magic wand to make you pain free.

Laura, I’m with you about the 70′s clothes. Yuk!

Now I am going to close my eyes and take myself to the island in my mind:-)

By: Laura Eno

Laura Eno — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:08:21 +0000

Congrats on your weight loss, Anne! I still haven’t lost but I haven’t gained either, so it’s progress.

I wouldn’t mind stopping off at Fantasy Island during our cruise. Just don’t make me wear those ’70′s clothes!

By: Cole Bitting

Cole Bitting — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:04:10 +0000

You say:

I think that hanging in there and not giving up has been my biggest accomplishment for the two first months of the year.

Hanging in there is perhaps the most underrated accomplishment ever. Well done!

Did you know that saying “Professor” will improve your performance at Trivial Pursuit. There was a genuine, important psychology study to this effect.

I had a thing for both Julie the cruise director and Mary Ann.