Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. [Helen Keller] Recently I recorded a delightful podcast conversation about running and teaching and writing. One of the magical threads of the conversation was the kind of person who… WeContinue reading “open invitation no. 76: the kind of writer who…”
Author Archives: Ruth Ayres
open invitation no. 75: quiet
The quieter you become the more you are able to hear. [Rumi] The invitation is to write so we can hear the quiet. This is an invitation to consider the way you will craft your words. Here are four ideas to allow quiet to take the stage. 1 White Space Use white space to slowContinue reading “open invitation no. 75: quiet”
open invitation no. 74: snow
Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour. [attributed to John Boswell] You are invited to linger in your winter memories, reach deep and pick a golden moment to share. Embark on a sentimental journey, and most importantly—enjoy the time while youContinue reading “open invitation no. 74: snow”
a note about comment issues
Over and over, we begin again. [Banana Yoshimoto] Happy February! No doubt you have noticed the issues with comments this month. I’m glad you’ve kept writing and sharing as best we can. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I’m chalking it up to the fact that often when we put good into the worldContinue reading “a note about comment issues”
open invitation no. 73: discover whimsy
Whimsy doesn’t care if you are the driver or the passenger; all that matters is that you are on your way. [Bob Goff] Look around your corner of the world and find something whimsical. Take a picture. Write about it. (Don’t make this more complicated than it needs to be.) *Remember, you don’t have toContinue reading “open invitation no. 73: discover whimsy”
open invitation no. 72: story collectors need each other
The most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured. [Kurt Vonnegut] I used to think having written was the magical part of blogging. Now I know the magic happens when we share our stories and know the way it impacts another human. Maybe you don’tContinue reading “open invitation no. 72: story collectors need each other”
open invitation no. 71: catch phrase
/’kaCH,frāz/ noun: a well-known sentence or phrase [Dictionary] Catch phrases are a great way to show a person’s personality rather than tell about it. See if you can weave a catch phrase into your story this week. Or, write about the catch phrases in your life—your own or someone else’s. (If you think you don’tContinue reading “open invitation no. 71: catch phrase”
open comments for invitation no. 70: arise
Over and over, we begin again. [Banana Yoshimoto] Happy New Year, Story Collectors! It is good to share our stories. If you’re looking for inspiration, share about beginning. It can be your intentions for 2022, your One Little Word (OLW), something new, or something you are trying again. *Remember, you don’t have to accept this invitation…butContinue reading “open comments for invitation no. 70: arise”
[another] invitation
Dear Story Collectors, I write this letter during one of my favorite weeks of the year: the week between. It’s the last week of the calendar year, and it holds reflection and possibility. I’ve been thinking hard about SOS Magic, and decided a decision needed to be made. Often in life when I don’t knowContinue reading “[another] invitation”
SOS 