I picked up the most recent Writer's Digest magazine.  It said it was the Big Idea Issue.  I did find some ideas that inspired to write.  And blog. 
Two things in it caught my eye:  the section on Character Motivation and a small article about the value of failing.  It emphasised how it's not good to surround ourselves with "yes" men.  We need to have critiques and we need to have times where we aren't number one.
The character article discussed how we need to know our character and how they move through the story.  Are they changers?  Are they static with changing motivations?  Knowing these things make sense of why your character behaves like they do. 
If you haven't already read it, you should  It's the Writer's Digest, Nov/Dec 2012 issue. 

Also, today was our Bayou Writer's Group meeting.  Any time I meet with fellow writers I'm inspired.  Saturday is our annual conference.  It's going to be a good one.  I'm excited. 
Check out our blogspot:  www.bayouwritersgroup.blogspot.com 
Our little group does well for itself. 

Exciting News!  My first book publication.  It's a short vignette about a former patient called The Faith of Jake.  I'm also excited to hear a fellow Lake Charlesian is also published here as well. 
It's an excellent book.  I needed a hankie or two. 
Check it out online or at your local bookstore. 

The peanut-crunching crowd
Shoves in to see
Them unwrap me hand and foot--
The big strip tease.
                          from Lady Lazarus
Even forty nine years after her death, we still are fascinated by Sylvia Plath.  Certainly her works were critically acclaimed.  She was a poet ahead of her time. 
But, I think, too, we're drawn to the tragedy that was her life and ultimately her death. 
In her poems and stories we see the poetic genius.  In her journals we find the woman beind the words.  In beautiful descriptions we see the longing to be herself in a society that shunned nonconformity.   I can't help but think she would've liked the changes the 60's brought. 
As a writer, I admire her courage to write how she wanted, despite the criticisms and set backs.  She didn't give up herself, even though the struggle brought pain that pushed her to end her life.
As writers we want to be heard, to make money, to publish.  But no matter what others do or say, in the end, we have to stay true to who we are as a writer and the words that need to be said. 

The midwife slapped your footsoles, and your bald cry
Took its place among the elements.
                         from Morning Song