Two articles crossed my reading this past week—don’t you wonder how things all of a sudden land in your lap that trigger your blogs?—anyway, Easter is next week and Easter Island came into my thoughts.
An old article by Jared Diamond’s “Easter’s End” in Discover magazine revealed the transformation of a vibrant Easter Island into a no man’s land. With a focus on trees, islanders chopped down one-by-one until they were all gone. When they were gone, their disappearance followed. And yet, you have to wonder—didn’t anyone speak up? Didn’t anyone say, “Whoa—things are not looking so good around here with the greenery disappearing?” Didn’t anyone make a connection that trees just might be a good thing? You can read his article here.
And then another one, “What Happened On Easter Island — A New (Even Scarier) Scenario” by Robert Krulwich that I found in NPR News that was more about behaviors and the direct impact on our environments. In it, I’m taken with the “dumbing down” that seems to routinely happen in so many things that I observe; it alarms me. In fact, scares me. You can read his article here.
Those of you who have been to my home know that I LOVE trees … it’s always one of the first things I plant—starting with a few “focal” ones to set the stage and then literally babies that I get for under $10 to do all the fill-ins over as time goes by. I mean, with a little nurturing, twigs get very strong. Not just one or two—lots of them. I look for color variations, patterns … my goal is to create harmony in my front, back and side yards—no matter the size. Trees and flowers have always brought me joy—I can’t imagine not having them in my life and world.
Which means that I won’t be silent when I see a destruction of things I feel are critical for my well-being and for those of others. The changing seasons always leave me in awe; the glories of water flowing fuel my writing and my creativity. I want to protect the environment. Oh, I’m not what they called a “tree hugger” … but I want to slow down the chopping. And yes, I do get it that nature sometimes does natural burns and that some forests do need trimming—but not destroying. When I was working in Alaska for three weeks several years ago, the vastness of it was amazing—the glaciers left me awe-struck and the experience of the midnight sun and the size of the summer crops was breathtaking … and I came away with—leave this place alone. Not knowing when I first went there that many parts were considered a rain forest, the last thing I wanted to see was man taking it away.
So … where am I going here? We authors … we writers … have the power of our words. Are you using them for just not your stories? Are your eyes open to your surroundings? Are you connecting what you see and what your experience with the strength of your fingertips and convictions? Is there a cause you deeply care about that your “gift” might help it articulate better—even when your name isn’t visible? Think about it …
I don’t want to see the last tree die. And, I don’t want my words to die. How about you?
Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and is the Founder of AuthorU.org, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the ’80s. Judith is the author of 35 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (Foreword IndieFab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences. Book #35 was published in 2016: How to Avoid 101 Book Publishing Blunders, Bloopers & Boo-Boos. Get your copy now.
Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged, a three-day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2017, the dates are June 22-24th. Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for “AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing” on the Toginet Network at bit.ly/PublishingShow.
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Author U is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Monthly education programs delivered face-to-face and online, The Author Resource ezine, BookCamps, and the annual Author U Extravaganza are tools designed for authors pre-, during and post-publishing of their books. Join AuthorU.org today.
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