Avoiding Stagnation of the Soul (or Me-in the movies!)

Since you became an adult, how often do you do things you really don’t want to do?

Okay, bad example since we all pay taxes and spend our savings on the new furnace, roof, tires, etc.

We also clean out the sink drainer, fold our laundry, and go to the dentist.

I remember that as a kid, the big draw of being an adult is you no longer had to do anything unless you wanted to. I suppose that is still kind of true, but not doing some things could lead to losing your house, car, teeth, respect, significant other or even land you in jail.

And yet, sometimes it’s doing the things we are least comfortable doing, that make us grow, and maybe even change our lives. Staying put and only doing the easy stuff leads to stagnation of the soul.

And once we do these things that make us uncomfortable, it gets easier and easier.

I’ve decided to try something new on my writing journey. I’m going to do video posts on my Facebook writer page.

Yes, I know about Facebook and the data problem, but, at least for me, I wear my life on my sleeve so I’m not concerned with anyone having my info. Here, take it.

It’s not my data on Facebook that gives me the heebie-jeebies, what I really don’t like is seeing myself on video. Hate it. Even when I’m surrounded by puppies, I still look nothing like I wish I looked.

But I’m shoving my personal issues aside because just like getting in the pool, the best way for me to do anything new is to just jump in – all the way in.

I’ve decided to force myself to record a video each week.

Yes, it will be awkward and embarrassing, but it’s time I came to terms with the medium. Besides, I’d like to master it in preparation for my book tour with Frankie (OMG- can’t wait to tell you about that!).

If you’re under the age of, say, 25 this does not seem like a big deal. You were raised on video.

For me, though, MAMMOTH deal.

I never look or sound at all like I believe I do inside my head. My voice is much higher. I do this weird thing where I bug my eyes out occasionally for emphasis. When I turn my head in certain directions, an extra chin appears.

And the wrinkles. *Sigh.*

Nothing to be done about that. Time has carved its effects on my face, along with three children, endless hours in the garden sun, too many days spent on horseback, and lets just not talk about the tanning efforts of my youth. (For such a smart kid, I had to learn the hard way that red hair and freckles do not belong on the tanning deck.)

I played around with Facebook LIVE a few weeks ago when I hosted The Back Booth. I vowed to do a video every day (I only missed Saturday, but had the best excuse – I was meeting a plane to rescue puppies!).

The LIVE videos were awkward but honest. I decided ahead of time that I wasn’t going to stress my hair or my clothes or even my makeup. What you see is what you get.

I discovered that camera angles and lighting make a world of difference, and also that I’m much more relaxed on camera if I have a dog sitting nearby.

I also discovered that, surprisingly, it was fun.

So here goes…tune in next Wednesday via my Facebook writer page, for a little lunchtime entertainment. (Or catch me later, since the videos will be there FOREVER for all to see. Gulp.)

I’ll chat about writing and books and puppies and whatever’s on my mind (and I’ll take requests). I’ll be cohosted by either Frankie or the Foster-of-the-moment because, like I said earlier, I’m much calmer with a dog nearby. These videos won’t be long – only a minute or two. (Puppies are wiggly.)

Want in on this fun? Follow me. (and be sure to click the notifications tab so you know when a new video post is up – you don’t want to miss me the puppies!)

Hey, thanks for reading. I know you’ve got lots of options, so thanks for sharing a few of your minutes with me.

Honored,

Cara

If you’d like to know more about me, my books, and where you might run into me, check out my website, CaraWrites.com.

If you’d like to subscribe to my (sometimes) monthly e-newsletter, click here.

If you’re a dog lover, check out my other blog, Another Good Dog.

I’d love to connect with you on Facebook, twitter, or Instagram, and I’m thrilled to get email from readers (and writers), you can reach me at carasueachterberg@gmail.com.

COMING AUGUST 2018 FROM Pegasus Books:

Available for preorder now.