by Lori Pirog
Anyone who has spent time around babies is familiar with baby
bags or totes. When caring for a baby away from home most
people choose to be prepared with at least the essentials.
We carry diapers, baby wipes, bottles, snack food, toys...
the list goes on.
If we can be so attentive, loving, and caring for babies and
toddlers, why can't we do the same for ourselves? If our
inner child always wanted to be a writer or an artist, what
are we doing for that child's needs?
We can be prepared. As adults we find ourselves spending an
incredible amount of time standing in lines, waiting in traffic,
driving our children to and from a multitude of different
activities, sitting in waiting rooms...
Are you depressed now? Don't be. This is time you can put
to good use with one or more simple tote bags. Inexpensive
bags can be purchased at discount stores. Maybe you have a
tote bag you received for free from a book club or other
organization.
Take one tote and fill it with inspirational and informative
reading. To become a better writer it is very important to
read. This is equally true for artists. Artists paint or draw
not only what they see but also what they know. So gather up
all the unread magazines, newsletters, or newest book on your
craft that are sitting around your home.
Put all of your reading material in one sturdy tote bag. If
there's too much to fit in the bag or it's too heavy to carry
then you need to do some serious pitching or filing. Having too
much to read will not help you find time, it will more likely
make you feel guilty and overwhelmed. Be nice to yourself and
keep handy only the most recent.
Next you need another tote bag or two for your writing or art
supplies. Keep it simple. There's no need to drag around any
more than is necessary.
A Writer's Tote
For writers it couldn't be easier. All you need is a pad of
paper and basic writing instruments. Personal digital assistants
with portable keyboards or elegant leather-bound journals might
be nice but are not necessary.
Spiral bound notebooks are inexpensive and a good choice.
Wireless notebooks with perforated pages are slightly more
expensive but come with an added benefit. The pages can be
easily removed and filed by subject or story at a later time.
If you spend much time in your car, a small hand held tape
recorder to record your thoughts could be valuable. And don't
forget books on tape.
An Artist's Tote
For an artist, stock your bag with a hard cover sketchbook and
a mechanical pencil. If you write as well as draw, look for a
sketchbook with pages that are lined on one side and blank on
the other.
Do you like color in your drawings or small studies? Include
a few colored pencils, brush type markers, or a small watercolor
kit and a few brushes. The postcard size watercolor blocks are
inexpensive, lightweight, and work great for watercolor studies.
Carry water in a couple of small plastic film containers.
The choices of what you could place in these tote bags are
endless. Don't get carried away. What's more important is that
you place these totes where they can be easily grabbed anytime
you head out the door.
Choose to make a little progress each day reading, writing,
or drawing and you can be a writer or an artist. Have fun with
this. Give your inner child a chance to smile!
Copyright © 2002 Lori Pirog
About the Author:
Lori Pirog publishes A Creative Line ezine. Creative Ideas,
Resources, and More for Children's Writers, Illustrators, and
Artists. She is a self-taught artist and a freelance writer with
degrees in Family and Consumer Science and Human Nutrition.
For more information or to subscribe to her newsletter visit:
http://www.picturebooksandart.com.
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