"You Can Always Edit Something Bad, You Can't Edit Something Blank"

I don't want you to get the wrong idea, I am not some huge Jodi Picoult fan, but the following quote is from an interview with the author on The Guardian's website. I found this excerpt on the blog, Ask Allison, and thought that it was an important reminder to us all as writers, especially on days (or weeks) when the work isn't coming and the chorus of excuses such as, "I am so busy at my job," or "My boyfriend/child/dog really needs me to do fill-in-the-blank," or "With a day like today, how can I feel inspired?" start jumping around in your brain like some Mexican jumping beans.

Picoult says, “Writing is total grunt work. A lot of people think it's all about sitting and waiting for the muse. I don't buy that. It's a job. There are days when I really want to write, days when I don't. Every day I sit down and write. You can always edit something bad. You can't edit something blank. That has always been my mantra.”

So, keep that in mind. And, take note that Ms. Picoult was also applying for jobs at Home Depot stores early in her career, because she was convinced she wasn't going to make it. Now, she has published numerous titles all of which are a popular staple at many bookstores.

Greensburg is Only as Lame as You Are

I suppose that my last two posts were a little on the snarky side. I mean, I pretty much come out and insult people, and for that I would like to apologize. And I would like to offer up some explanation for my frustration. I grew up in Greensburg, and I fondly remember when Greensburg was a thriving town filled with all kinds of stuff for younger people to do. There were so many great local bands, and many show spaces that they could play at. Coffeehouses thrived, and people would spend a majority of their free time interacting with others, communicating, collaborating and essentially creating a diverse, entertaining community. They did this on their own. They did not expect things to magically happen. They worked hard to ensure that there was plenty to do in the Greensburg area, and there was no complaining about how “there’s nothing to do in Greensburg.” Ok, maybe a little, but not nearly to the extent that I hear/feel the contempt that people seem to have now for this town.

So, when I moved back to the area, I was astounded to hear that no one had been carrying on the literary events that I had been organizing a few years prior. No one. And there are 4 colleges close by. It is from that lack of something that Get Lit was born. I did not complain; I just did it. But, events only work if people are participating and experiencing. I cannot read to myself in an empty room (well, I can, but I typically do that at home). For this monthly literary series to continue, I need readers and an audience, which for some reason seems to be difficult to come by in this town where everyone’s complaining. But, their complaints are unfounded. There are things to do in Greensburg, you just have to take the time to find them and then have the initiative to get off the couch or the barstool and go do them. Don’t misunderstand, I am not knocking a night out at the bar (and I am sure that there are some nice stories floating around about my exploits at Toad’s, Harry’s and other locales), but please believe me when I tell you that a few people are really trying to give you something to do in addition to drinking.

To quote my friend Chris, “Greensburg is only as lame as you are.”

Which is why I want to thank Mara and the rest of the Seton Hill Eye Contact staff for taking the initiative to reach out and ask if they could read from their latest issue at DV8 some month. I hope that they enjoy their experience and that they have a warm, responsive audience that appreciates that initiative. I also hope that they continue to use Get Lit as a means of sharing their work with others and as an opportunity to enjoy the work that other writers are producing.

Remember: Get Lit, featuring readers from Seton Hill University’s lit mag, Eye Contact, this Saturday 7 pm @ DV8 Espresso Bar & Gallery in Greensburg.

While I Know You Want to Bestow Me with Birthday Gifts

You should think about doing the following instead:

Chris Goodman, author of 3 self-published chapbooks (and a regular Get Lit-er) will be reading his work at DV8 on Saturday, April 26th, along with two other writers. An extravaganza of artistic mediums, the evening will also feature local bands (you get the idea, band, reader, band, reader, etc.). While there is no telling what Mr. Goodman will come up with, his past work features topics such as the bums of Philadelphia, women he has loved and observations on life, work and our always-interesting city, Greensburg.

Eye Contact Reading

Once again I am going to offer up some free fun for all you complainers. Next Saturday, April 12th, DV8 will host this month's Get Lit . The reading will begin at 7 pm, an hour earlier than usual, and will feature readers from Seton Hill University's literary magazine, Eye Contact. After the students read selections from their current issue, there will be a short intermission (for bathroom breaks, smoke breaks and latte breaks) and the regulars will be reading anything new they happened to come up with this month.

I am also pleased to announce that rumor has it that there will also be a few new participants.

It should be a great night packed with rhyme, imagery, metaphors, confessions and maybe some iambic pentameter.

And, no pressure or anything, but if you can't be bothered to make an appearance, how serious about this whole literary life are you really? A free, easily accessible event that features many local writers -- you really should make it a priority.