• Don’t Hand Me A Yellow Volkswagen

    ByHeather

    The Writers Almanac tells a story about Frank Conroy today. 

    Once, while directing the Iowa Writer’s Workshop, Conroy scolded a student for using irrelevant details in her short story. He said…

    The author makes a tacit deal with the reader. You hand them a backpack. You ask them to place certain things in it — to remember, to keep in mind — as they make their way up the hill. If you hand them a yellow Volkswagen and they have to haul this to the top of the mountain…

  • Elevated Metabolism

    ByHeather

    I am struck by the word “metabolism.” It’s such a great word. It denotes a process in which an organic system transforms inputs and raw materials into energy. Our bodies take proteins, carbohydrates, and fats and transform them into tissue and stored energy. An “increased metabolism” is one in which this transformation process is occurring…

  • No to 1,000 Things

    ByHeather

    As part of the rhythm of my productivity, I declare a “Theme for the Week” each Monday morning. At a 50,000 foot level, it helps me remember what I deem to be important that week. It’s what I’m working on.

    The first Theme of the Week for 2013 is adapted from Steve Jobs. He has been quoted on multiple occasions as having said that the hardest part of good design is saying no to a thousand things. He said that it is not enough to be brilliant in figuring out what goes into your product. You have to be ruthless in paring down and leaving out what doesn’t belong.

    It occurs to me that life — and especially productivity — thrives on the same principle.

  • Antiquated and Alienating Spam Defense

    ByHeather

    Dear Earthlink Users:

    If I send you an email and receive the following automated reply, please know that I do not waste any further time trying to connect with you.

    I apologize for this automatic reply to your email.

    To control spam, I now allow incoming messages only from senders I have approved beforehand.

    If you would like to be added to my list of approved senders, please fill out the short request form (see link below). Once I approve you, I will receive your original message in my inbox. You do not need to resend your message. I apologize for this one-time inconvenience.

    Click the link below to fill out the request

    May I suggest that you look for a better way to deal with spam? There are many options to control spam that do not alienate the good people who are trying to reach you.

    That is all.