CONLEE RICKETTS-Author, Educator, Awkward Human Being!
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My 1-Star Review!

8/25/2019

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Well, it hasn’t happened yet, but the point is…it will.

To venture through life unscathed is one of the most defeating expectations there could possibly be.  Not only is it ridiculously unrealistic, it just sets you up for disappointment over and over again.  The way I tend to prepare for most things in my wacky brain is “worst case scenario thinking.” I admit that is NOT the healthiest way to handle situations, but in this case it will ease my mind and soften the blow.

In preparation of my inevitable future 1-Star Review of my debut book, I took a gander at some 1-star reviews of people that have influenced me, write what I've read, and are people I respect.

Here’s what I learned:
  • Some are correct.  I don't necessarily mean that the comments warranted giving the book 1 star, but in that reviewer's opinion, that’s what it earned.  The types of comments I read that might actually pertain to my own book revolved around word choice. The writing is either overly simple, too flowery, too wordy, or juvenile.  So what?  I chose the words I chose.  And to quote my own book here, “You can’t unpoop it.”
  • Others were about the book quality.  Cheap-looking, small print, or poorly designed.  Well, I have a small thin book that can be read in under two hours.  I imagine some folks could see it as cheap or amateurish.  Again, so what? Yes, my book is a very quick read, but it isn’t supposed to be.  It’s supposed to support you across twenty-six days. My dream is that somewhere out there, there will be a tattered and well-used copy of my book that wears the scars of holding someone’s emotions for them for an entire month.
  • Some are just mean-spirited.  So what? These are fairly easy to spot, and in my trying-to-be-kind and easy-going way I have to just hope that typing those mean words gave someone some sort of emotional relief they needed in the ten minutes it took them to type it out.  As I try to remind my students, someone else's reaction toward you is 99 percent never about you. From my experiences it’s usually about something else in their life that is none of my damn business anyway.
  • And finally, it’s actually a great thing! It means that my book is being read beyond the friends and family circle! It means that somewhere out there, people I haven’t met have been able to find my book and read it. For some it’s a good and helpful book, and for others it isn’t.  So what?

For my first book, the entire process holds a mountain of learning opportunities. In the days after I finally approved the work and edits I found mistakes, had edits I wish I hadn't approved, and I made of list of things I will do differently for book number two. So I already have my list of things readers could pick apart and determine it a 1-star book.  That's okay.  It has to be okay because that is the whole point of learning through challenges.

What I do know is regardless of how many people I come into contact with through this experience, it has helped me start writing again, helped me step out of my cozy hermit lifestyle, and helped me connect with some pretty amazing people!  And if you’re reading this, then by default you are one of my amazing people! Thank you!

If after reading my own 1-star reviews of my work, you want to pick up your own copy of 26 Days to Practice Peace, click HERE.  Sign up for my Newsletter for inspiring random fun notes in your Inbox too!
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The Bright Side by Conlee Ricketts

5/26/2014

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I’ve noticed that a few of my recent articles have been fairly serious and perhaps a bit heavy and emotional for some visitors.  I wouldn’t call them “dark” exactly, but they follow the path of how I explore my reality, my self, and my purpose.  I truly do write to learn about myself.  It sneaks out through the pencil and then even more during the edits.

It may be comforting to know that I do not sit around in the dark--scotch on the rocks in one hand, cigarette dangling from between my fingertips with a twisted pained expression on my face--mainly because

A)     Quality Scotch is not in my budget
B)      I quit smoking because of my daughter
C)      My face hurts when I do that, and my daughter says, “What are you doing?”

I live a “normal” life and I thought it might be refreshing to share a few random things about me, my thoughts, and my life.

1.       Bananas: I recently read that wrapping plastic wrap around the stems helps them last longer.  It WORKS!  I am a slow banana eater--and NO, I don’t mean in the sexy, erotic, banana eating contest kind of way.  It’s just that I buy small bunches, maybe four, but after day two I’m bored and need a break from all that “healthy” and they sit for a day or two.  Then by the time I’m in the mood again for a banana they are all aged an soft--damn you metaphor--Yes, I just saw it--me and relationships.  I told you; I learn a lot about myself while writing.  These
metaphors for my life just creep in.  I digress.  Wrap up the stems and they last longer.

2.       Perimenopause: I’m in it.  It’s a ride let me tell you.  For both me and my daughter.  My moods used to be fairly predictable.  Normal week—irritated week—over the top, edgy, emotional week—happy week.  So yes, I only had about 10-12 good days a month.  Now I seem to stand outside my body and watch a Joan Crawford “No more wire hangers!” moment move into Gothel singing  “Mother Knows Best” to Rapunzel, 
which might then switch to Julie Andrews singing “My Favorite Things” for my daughter during a tornado warning.  This can all occur within an hour; my daughter just stares at me with this expression I haven’t quite named yet.  It’s a mix between “Are you done yet?” and “Why does this keep happening to me?”

3.       I signed my daughter up for the swim team because she was so excited about trying it this year--but I haven’t joined the pool yet.  Do you think that’s a problem?  I'm too embarrassed to call Parks and Recreations to ask.

4.       I think I will grow out my bangs and just keep letting my hair grow down to my butt.  I hear that once you pass 50 you really don’t give a shit what people think of you.  Is that true? I might already be there.  Thoughts?

5.       I love moss.  I also love that single day in spring when everything is that one shade of green that you never see again until the next spring.

6.       I love love love The Carol Burnett Show!

And finally: 

I was a quiet obedient child.  I would cram into my closet and secretly wish I could visit Mr. Tumnus in Narnia, and when I was alone I would talk to the imaginary studio audience and cameras filming my life as if my every move was on T.V.  Back in the 1970’s long before “Reality T.V.” I was the star of my life.

I have found myself on a journey to rediscover that star.  There just isn't a “right” way or a “fast” way to get there.  So I sit; I write; I have a laugh usually at my own expense.  It works for me.



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    Author
    Conlee Ricketts

    I write to steady myself, discover myself, and forgive myself.  Writing reaches into those places that need love and attention in my inner world in order to balance my outer world.  I hope you enjoy. 

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