I love competition shows. Top Chef, Project Runway, Biggest
Loser, and all the many offshoots. I even watched a season of Big Brother. Now
that’s time I’ll never get back. 

But the others are shows that tend to show me the value in
determination, talent, and, even, self-confidence. The contestants who do the
best are those who know their own story. They know their style and are able to
use the challenges as boundaries within which they present themselves through
their product.

I’m watching a marathon of this season’s Top Chef right now
and am drawn to the chef who knows she’s good, but doesn’t trust her knowledge.
She’s won a challenge and yet, she’s still her worse critic. Last year she
competed to get on the show, but failed. She fought back and earned a spot in
this year’s cast. Now, she doesn’t believe in her talent.

I see myself through her eyes. Determined, accomplished, but
still uncertain at times.

My version of a Quick Fire Challenge – Lynn’s Potato Pie

I believe writing, and life even, is like that. The universe
gives me boundaries and within those, I am able to play and create my own
world. My own stories.

All I have to do is get out of my own way.

Last week my son sent me an old Monty Python recording of a
news report following a writer starting a new story. Every word was analyzed by
the announcers, even the one’s crossed out. Sometimes my internal editor is
like that news reporter. Looking for the amazing when really, a story should be
written in private, then edited in public. Writers need to give themselves permission to
write crap. Then edit pearls.

Me getting my ticket into the Michael Hauge workshop.

Failure isn’t the end. Its one step in success. Maybe more.

Do you watch reality TV?

Lynn – who really doesn’t need another fix to her habit.