Posts Tagged ‘ inspiration ’

The Family Business: Wild Hair Ranch

This is a 5-star review.

The Wild Hair Ranch

San Luis Obispo, California

We had not set out for a writing retreat weekend. We did not go to The Wild Hair Ranch to bathe. But in this magical and well-appointed country farm house where our extended family gathered to share a roof for a wedding weekend, I found inspiration and a bathtub I’m still pining for.

The owners have pulled off a rental-by-owner miracle, inviting renters into their everyday home rather than a weekend or in-law space, and they do it with a sense of generosity and pride in their dream home. Outdoor features included a trampoline that entertained kids and adults alike, an abundant and welcoming vegetable garden, a lively chicken coop, a hidden tree house, and a wood-stocked fire-pit. We played hard, and when we retreated indoors, we enjoyed a kitchen large and sturdy enough for a family full of cooks, a playroom with a fire pole, musical instruments, and dreamy beds for all twelve of our clan.

Industrial Chic, my dad called the design aesthetic. He’s got a way with words. The modern architecture straddles the folksy comfort of a farmhouse barn and the urban pragmatism of modern architecture. The Wife and I scored the guest room, which adjoins the master bath, and there we found Wild Hair Ranch’s most luxurious amenity, a soaking tub with room for two and a sublime view of the surrounding fields and hills.

There’s something about getting away, out in the country, or being in a professionally decorated environment, or on a farm, or under an architecturally innovative roof–I’m not sure which–that inspires me. So in spite of our harried wedding weekend schedule, in spite of a house full of family, in spite of my preoccupation with my tiny niece and nephews, I found myself up early each morning, parked in some sunny, comfortable nook or other, writing.

So is it a place for a writing retreat? Maybe. Maybe you could plan a raucous one with a dozen of your best writing collaborators, or perhaps a business retreat for you and a handful of your company’s leaders.

Writers and small business owners, we suggest you whisk yourself away on a writing or strategy retreat. This review has been cross posted on VRBO, and on Yelp you can read all The Sexy Grammarian’s cafe reviews as well as reviews clients have written about our services.

2012
07/18
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Indulgence
Places to Write
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Mo’z Cafe: Canned Soup?

This is a 2-star review

36 5th St (near Market)
San Francisco, CA 94103

The man at the front counter welcomes me with a “glad to have your business smile” even though he’s busy. The menu surprises me, and although I haven’t tasted the soup yet, I’m already lusting after the guy’s salad next to me. Those are fresh-cooked, not crunchy canned noodles on top of that chicken salad! I review the menu while I wait. It’s abundant with food and drink choices, including beer and wine and a decent tea selection

I open my laptop. Wifi’s intact. People use this place for lunch as well as laptop work, so you can hangout and relax, whatever your café agenda. It smells good in here, and I even find the wobbly table easy to shim.

I’m happy until I have my soup. Disappointing. Canned.

I put a ton of salt and pepper in the soup, which is unusual for me. And I’m still too uninspired to actually eat the whole bowl of minestrone or get any real writing done.

Since it’s in my ‘hood, I’ll probably be back but not for food. Mo’z is one of those cafes that’s trying to please everybody by having an impressive menu, but they’d do better hiring a cook and letting that professional create a more delectable menu. Or maybe it’s just the soup.

Take yourself out to a cafe to write. It’s good for your inner writer and for the economy! This review has been cross posted on Yelp, where you can read all The Sexy Grammarian’s cafe reviews as well as reviews clients have written about our services.

2012
03/23
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Indulgence
Places to Write
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Honorary Sexy G: Scholar Bat Sheva Marcus

Before she collaborated with other sexual health experts to launch The Better Sex Blog, which posts free, accurate, and empowering sexual health information for women, Bat Sheva Marcus published her trailblazing study on female sexual response to vibrators in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

On The Better Sex Blog, Marcus contributes nonjudgmental, pro-sexual pleasure posts like this stereotype-smashing piece on sex and aging and this discussion of erotic literature, young adults, and author Judy Blume. That’s what I call a Sexy Grammarian.

In honor of all that is sexy and grammatically correct, learn something new about sex at The Better Sex Blog, and tell them what you think by commenting, subscribing, or telling your friends on Facebook and Twitter about it. And thanks for celebrating Sexy Grammar Week with us!

What is Sexy Grammar?

It’s the fun way we present writing tools and grammar guidelines. But it’s also a philosophy—that writing and art satisfy a human urge to create, not unlike sex. Sexy Grammar is about letting your inner writer be sexy—aroused, engaged, and unapologetic. When you do that, your writing gets sexy, and that attracts readers. You can get Private Sexy Grammar Lessons here.

What is Sexy Grammar Week?

We conceived Sexy Grammar Week three years ago when we noted March 3rd as  America’s Sexuality Day and March 4th as National Grammar Day. Then we established a flirtatious Sexy Grammar Week tradition: we crown honorary Sexy Grammarians and glorify them here on the blog. This year we’re featuring bloggers who really put out, like Bat Sheva Marcus. Did you miss this week’s other Honorary Sexy Grammarians? Each one’s a star! Meet some bloggers who really put out: Ken Stram, Dave X Robb, Mags & Stu, Lisa & Jenni, and Elizabeth O’Brien.

2012
03/11
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Inspiration
Writers
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Honorary Sexy G: Marketing Guru Ken Stram

Ken Stram may be earning his living as the think tank behind 2Bridge Communications, a public relations firm that helps small and growing businesses reach the next level, but he’s earning his reputation as an entrepreneurial thought leader by sharing his business acumen freely and generously on his blog, Ken and the Art of Entrepreneurship. If you’re starting a business, growing a business, or re-thinking your business strategy, you should be following him.

Each one a precious gem, his posts sparkle with clever ideas about conceiving, building, and marketing a business. Learning from Ken, I’ve fallen in love again with the value of the old-school SWOT analysis and acquired the useful habit of asking my own business writer clients, “Who’s your Jenny?” I like his straightforward approach and cupcake-sized servings of marketing wisdom. His writing style challenges and inspires me to think about marketing another way. That’s what I call a Sexy Grammarian.

So in the name of all that is sexy and grammatically correct, go sharpen your marketing skills with Ken and the Art of Entrepreneurship, and tell him what you think by commenting, punching a like button, subscribing, or telling your friends on Facebook and Twitter about him. And thanks for celebrating Sexy Grammar Week with us!

What is Sexy Grammar?

It’s the fun way we present writing tools and grammar guidelines. But it’s also a philosophy—that writing and art satisfy a human urge to create, not unlike sex. Sexy Grammar is about letting your inner writer be sexy—aroused, engaged, and unapologetic. When you do that, your writing gets sexy, and that attracts readers. You can get Private Sexy Grammar Lessons here.

What is Sexy Grammar Week?

We conceived Sexy Grammar Week three years ago when we noted March 3rd as  America’s Sexuality Day and March 4th as National Grammar Day. Then we established a flirtatious Sexy Grammar Week tradition: we crown honorary Sexy Grammarians and glorify them here on the blog. This year we’re featuring bloggers who really put out, like Ken Stram. Did you miss this week’s other Honorary Sexy Grammarians? Each one’s a star! Meet some bloggers who really put out: Dave X Robb, Mags & Stu, Lisa & Jenni, and Elizabeth O’Brien.

2012
03/09
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Inspiration
Writers
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Honorary Sexy G: Dave X Robb

On his sassy blog, Dave X Robb explores topics as wildly diverse as pop music, grammar, gay sex, and grilled cheese, yet his growing collection of essays achieves a bizarre cohesiveness. He’s doing what we most love to see a blogger do well: tell his story through his own quirky combination of perspectives.

Here’s an example: Robb recently posted a witty little bit appropriately titled, Not much, how about you? in which he confessed, ” I decided to write about something that doesn’t matter at all” but instead managed to note a grammatical quirk in a set of song titles, offend a semi-famous pop star, and subsequently attract his personal best number of blog readers. That’s what I call a Sexy Grammarian.

And did I mention, he’s hot? And single? That he’s a massage therapist? Rocked NaNoWriMo last year? Always offers sexy trade pics in all his online profiles?

This week, in the name of all that is sexy and grammatically correct in the world, go taste a grilled-cheesy nibble of his thoughtful essays and silly ideas and tell him what you think by commenting, punching a like button, subscribing, or telling your friends on Facebook and Twitter about him. And thanks for celebrating Sexy Grammar Week with us!

What is Sexy Grammar?

It’s the fun way we present writing tools and grammar guidelines. But it’s also a philosophy—that writing and art satisfy a human urge to create, not unlike sex. Sexy Grammar is about letting your inner writer be sexy—aroused, engaged, and unapologetic. When you do that, your writing gets sexy, and that attracts readers. You can get Private Sexy Grammar Lessons here.

What is Sexy Grammar Week?

We conceived Sexy Grammar Week three years ago when we noted March 3rd as  America’s Sexuality Day and March 4th as National Grammar Day. Then we established a flirtatious Sexy Grammar Week tradition: we crown honorary Sexy Grammarians and glorify them here on the blog. This year we’re targeting bloggers who really put out, like Dave X Robb.

2012
03/07
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Inspiration
Writers
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2 comments

Honorary Sexy Grammarians: Globally Conscious Couples

Follow Stu and Mags while they hatch their scheme “to live in an intentional community while creating a healing cooperative business and a permaculture farm.” Their journey began last summer, when they quit their jobs and set a course for a worldwide tour to find their ideal location, learn worldwide techniques for their crafts, and inspire their dreams.

Stu and Mags

Jenni & Lisa

And just try to keep up with Lisa and Jenni of Out & Around while they climb mountains, plan their wedding, and seek out an international who’s-who list of what they call Supergays, activists working worldwide to lead the LGBT movement.

Both these sexy, young couples have chosen to travel with global consciousness. Both couples post often and generously, with authentic voices, hilarious adventures, and a citizens-of-the-world spirit that will inspire you to actualize your own world travel dreams. That’s what I call a bunch of Sexy Grammarians.

This week, in the name of all that is sexy and grammatically correct, read the stories of these intrepid world changers, and cheer them on by commenting, punching a like button, subscribing, or telling your friends on Facebook and Twitter about them. And thanks for celebrating Sexy Grammar Week with us!

What is Sexy Grammar?

It’s the fun way we present writing tools and grammar guidelines. But it’s also a philosophy—that writing and art satisfy a human urge to create, not unlike sex. Sexy Grammar is about letting your inner writer be sexy—aroused, engaged, and unapologetic. When you do that, your writing gets sexy, and that attracts readers. You can get Private Sexy Grammar Lessons here.

What is Sexy Grammar Week?

We conceived Sexy Grammar Week three years ago when we noted March 3rd as  America’s Sexuality Day and March 4th as National Grammar Day. Then we established a flirtatious Sexy Grammar Week tradition: we crown honorary Sexy Grammarians and glorify them here on the blog. This year we’re targeting bloggers who really put out, like Stu & Mags and Jenni & Lisa. Check out yesterday’s post on Honorary Sexy Grammarian, Elizabeth O’Brien.

2012
03/06
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Inspiration
Writers
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4 comments

Honorary Sexy G: Elizabeth O’Brien

Elizabeth O’Brien rocks at doing what everybody wants to do on Twitter. She posts often. She posts useful information in a fresh way. And she does it all in the space of a Tweet. @GrammarRocks buzzes daily with Tweet-sized free grammar lessons, some days dozens of them. Today she’s on a roll with useful, quick, helpful, fresh bites like:

TO = (usually a) PREPOSITION

Helping verbs: Be am is are was were been being have has had could should would may might must shall can will do did does having

Click on any of her Twitter links, and you’ll land somewhere in her vast online grammar education empire, The Grammar Revolution website, a cornucopia of grammar learning tools–exercises, quizzes, and lesson plans–that O’Brien offers, all for free. She’s mini-blogging. She’s participating in the online community generously and with an approachable voice. That’s what I call a Sexy Grammarian.

Personally, I refer to her excellent diagrams and word lists to help me arouse writers and explain big grammar ideas all the time. She also has a poetry section. And you can see famous quotes diagrammed! I’ve always loved this one from Oscar Wilde. Can you read it?

This week, in the name of all that is sexy and grammatically correct in the world, join O’Brien’s Grammar Revolution, especially teachers, homeschoolers, people learning English as a second language, and anybody who just wants a better grasp on grammar. You can follow her on Twitter, leave her a note, or buy her awesome e-book. And thanks for celebrating Sexy Grammar Week with us!

What is Sexy Grammar?

It’s the fun way we present writing tools and grammar guidelines. But it’s also a philosophy—that writing and art satisfy a human urge to create, not unlike sex. Sexy Grammar is about letting your inner writer be sexy—aroused, engaged, and unapologetic. When you do that, your writing gets sexy, and that attracts readers. You can get Private Sexy Grammar Lessons here.

What is Sexy Grammar Week?

We conceived Sexy Grammar Week three years ago when we noted March 3rd as  America’s Sexuality Day and March 4th as National Grammar Day. Then we established a flirtatious Sexy Grammar Week tradition: we crown honorary Sexy Grammarians and glorify them here on the blog. This year we’re targeting bloggers who really put out, like Elizabeth O’Brien.

2012
03/05
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Inspiration
Writers
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3 comments

Atlas Cafe: Where The Beautiful People Come And Go

This is a 3-star review

3049 20th St at Alabama St
San Francisco, CA 94110

This place has its drawbacks: wobbly tables and cheap chairs, chaotic customers with antsy kids and dogs, shoddy wifi, a shortage of electrical outlets, and Egads!—the music! I am trying to use my head—not bang it against the wall!

But I have always loved you, anyway, Atlas Café. Maybe it’s because so many beautiful people come and go. Maybe it’s the abundant magazine rack or the cheerful staff. Or maybe it’s your tantalizing and unique sandwich menu and the fact that I can get beer. Or maybe it’s the great memories. In this place I’ve written the first half of a novel and had some of the most stunning conversations of my life. So I will always love Atlas Cafe, and I’ll keep coming back, seeking inspiration.

This February, we’re romancing the writer, and one sexy way to do that is to take yourself out to a cafe to write. This review has been cross posted on Yelp, where you can read all The Sexy Grammarian’s cafe reviews as well as reviews clients have written about our services.

2012
02/20
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Indulgence
Places to Write
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How To Take Yourself On A Writing Retreat

  1. Have a writing plan: The first time I went on a retreat, the most magical unicorn of writer’s coaches Minal Hajratwala wisely counseled me to bring a range of types of writing materials—not just a ton of writing or a pile of reading but a little reading, my art supplies for making plot charts and theme diagrams, and notes on new writing I wanted to do. And whenever I go on retreat, I let myself focus all my efforts on one project. That’s the plan: I tackle just the novel or just my business plan but in multiple ways. I like this combination of distraction and focus. I retreat with one project plus three or four approaches to it.
  2. Have a food plan: Here’s my food plan: bring the wife. She really does all the cooking while I write. No wife? Here’s a tip from my personal chef: “Think beyond three square meals. For a weekend, you can plan to cook one fancy dinner and get a couple leftovers lunches out of it. Plan simple breakfasts because writers often get up earlier than chefs. And don’t forget snacks. Writers love snacks.”
  3. Have an indulgences plan: My typical writing retreat indulgences include wine, a white-tablecloth dinner out, and a hot water feature—either a hot tub at the retreat location or a spa reservation sometime during the weekend. But those are just what I like. Ask yourself, what would make me feel indulged as a writer? Plan that.
  4. Go to the perfect place: I prefer a rental with a kitchen to a hotel room, but that’s because of the wife and the cooking and the private hot tubs. I know another writer who loves to work in seedy hotels. For her writing retreats, she rents a room in her neighborhood SRO for a few days. Whatever floats your boat, you can probably find it and book it online right now. Need ideas? Check out my recent retreat destination, a magical bird’s nest in Long Beach, and watch for a few more ideas on the blog later this month.
  5. Bring toys: I’m not just talking about sex toys, but that’s a good start. Play aids creativity. It is also possible that creativity necessitates play. When you’re not writing and you’re not soaking in your chosen indulgence, you’ll want to be playing. What sorts of play turn you on and get you writing? I bring my ukulele. One recent retreat rental offered a ping pong table, and nothing got me back on my focus better than a fast paced, hysterical ten-minutes of little white plastic bouncing balls. Maybe you like Frisbee? Candyland? Poker? Plan for your amusement.

This February, we’re romancing the writer, and one sexy way to do that is to whisk yourself away on a writing retreat. We often find great destinations at AirBNB.

2012
02/08
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Indulgence
Writer's Tips
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3 comments

In & Out: Full Penetration For Your Writing Pleasure

Let’s talk about penetration in sex for just a minute. Stick it–a finger, a dildo, or a penis–into a mouth, a vagina, or an anus. Move it all around. Squeeze. Pump. Find special spots. Push in deeper, harder, faster. Take it out. Put it in again. Take it out. It creates intimacy, joy, sometimes even babies. It feels so good.

The same goes for writing. Except we tend to focus on the output. Get it written. Post it. Publish it. Output. Put out. Put out again. Put out more.

For some reason, writers expect ourselves to perform a kind of sorcery we’d never expect from even the hottest, most magical sex. We expect ourselves to put out without any delicious, creative input.

So, how about some input to liven up your output? Your writing needs inspiration, information, and interaction if you really want to put out. Here are a few ideas:

Inspiration:

Information:

    • To continue writing (output), what additional information do you need?
    • Research: Where are you going to find this information?
    • Who can answer questions for you?
    • Where can you go to inform the process?
    • When will you do the research?
    • How much information do you really need to keep writing?

Interaction

    • Do you have a feedback partner?
    • Have you considered a workshop or writing group for feedback?
    • With whom do you collaborate?
    • Many writers benefit from writer’s coaching with me!
    • It’s Pride month! Come out as a writer to your friends and family this month, and watch the peer pressure push your project forward!

2011
06/07
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CATEGORY
Secrets
Writer's Tips
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