First of all, let’s address the name of the blog. If you’re wondering how we came up with that name you probably haven’t read the book Freakin’ Fabulous: How to Dress, Speak, Behave, Eat, Drink, Entertain, Decorate, and Generally Be Better than Everyone Else by Clinton Kelly.
And, if you haven’t read it you should. It will make you and your 75 year-old Filipino father-in-law pee your pants from laughing so hard.
Still, you’re probably wondering if we actually think we are better than everyone else.
We don’t. Of course. We’re terribly flawed. But we’re trying to be awesome. And we suspect you want to do the same.
This blog is about writing, everything having to do with writing and the creative process in general.
It’s also an experiment.
We’ve both been writers in some form or fashion for the better part of 10 years but it’s always been our “also ran”. We’ve always done other things to supplement our income while giving lip service to the idea that one day all we will do is write and that will be enough. We don’t totally buy that dream – we aren’t that naive – but late last year we committed to making 2012 the year of writing. The year of talking less and writing more.
Not just a little bit more.
A lot more.
365 days worth of more writing.
We won’t just be writing about writing though. We’ll be writing about the interesting things we do, the cool stuff we’re studying, the crazy people we meet and the kinds of things that cross our paths (and yours) on any given day. In other words, we aren’t just going to be writing about how to become better writers – we are going to be writing to become the kind of writers we want to be.
Not that you will see it all here, but we will be writing every single day for 365 days. If you want to join in, let us know. And if you have any ideas on the subject, we’d love to hear from you. Just EMAIL us at sandm@bebetterthaneveryoneelse.com.
Melani Ward
I’m fascinated by why people do what they do, the idea that there is no such thing as talent and why change is so difficult. If I had it to do over again I’d get my shit together a lot earlier.
Moving my body brings me joy. Writing brings me even more. I will take a private lesson on anything just to get someone’s undivided expertise. I think owning only 38 possessions would be really cool…as would be living in a Tiny House.
I am obsessed with swimming pools.
When I’m not writing here I’m knee deep in my third graduate program working toward my M.S. in Instructional Design – studying how people learn and what makes information stick, trying to keep my clients happy or telling people that we’ll be patching together our documentary by this time next year.
Former Jobs: Middle and high school history teacher, tennis teacher and coach, social worker, counselor, paralegal, researcher, freelance writer, business and marketing consultant, content designer and creator.
Dream Jobs: Host of the 4th hour of the Today Show. (Think Melani & Sandy instead of Hoda & Kathie Lee). Contributing Editor for Scientific American Mind. Author. Host of Ellen. The female version of Peter Walsh.
Claim to Fame: I can write anything you want on any topic you want in 2 hours or less.
Hidden Talent: I’m an expert numerologist.
Secret Superpower: I can be highly productive on virtually no sleep.
Most Recent Adventure: Skydiving.
Next Planned Adventure: Tough Mudder.
Brush with Greatness: Still waiting for it.
I live in sunny Colorado with my un-husband, our 5 year-old daughter and a blue-heeler mix named Tally.
Sandy Grason
I am fascinated by what happens at the intersection of art and commerce and am always wondering how each influences the other. If I had it to do over again I’d be Madonna.
I will take a private lesson on anything just to get someone’s undivided attention. I think owning only 38 possessions would be absolutely awful…as would be living in a Tiny House. I mean Mojo would take up at least 1/2 of the square footage!
When I’m not writing here, I’m taking pictures of my shoes here, working on my first full-length screenplay, skiing down or hiking up some beautiful mountain and telling people that I’m going to win an Academy Award one day.
Former Jobs: Bartender, retail manager, collections manager, billboard salesperson, personal trainer, editor, coach, speaker, branding and lifestyle expert, retreat leader, author.
Dream Jobs: Madonna, academy award winning writer and director, host of So You Think You Can Dance
Claim to Fame: I am really good at manifesting – such as David Cassidy showing up at my apartment, an invitation on a private jet to a luxury yacht in the Caribbean, hosting gig on a reality show
Hidden Talent: I sing. And play the guitar a little.
Secret Superpower: Walking in ridiculously high heels all day long without being in pain.
Most Recent Adventure: Getting flown to Atlanta to film a new reality show called FoUnd.
Next Planned Adventure: Getting a tattoo.
Brush with Greatness: Talking to Kenny Loggins on the phone about life.
I live in Boulder, Colorado with my husband, 2 teenage daughters and 2 dogs named Mojo and Lily Madonna.
