The Stick Of The Week! is Mary Fichter. Mary is in the NOW as co-founder and culture editor of 2paragraphs.com, a social platform to read, share, and contribute insights and observations about the world we live in with all its people, places, books, food, inventions, medicine, art and dreams. 2paragraphs at a time.
"The 2paragraphs form is powered by brevity. Yet it is the antidote to the mindless, dis-informing sound bite. And while 2paragraphs cannot accomplish what longer writing can, nor does it seek to: a sonnet steals nothing from the epic. Say what you mean in 2paragraphs: you have a better chance to be heard."
Tell us about your NOW (Noodle On the Wall)
2paragraphs.com is just what it sounds like, a thing that people have time for! It’s a place where people can read, share, and write about their hopes, passions, anything. All in 2paragraphs. The 2paragraphs format is fun. You have to try it. It encourages contributors to articulate their thoughts with consideration and precision. We like to say we’re “respecting people’s time and intelligence.”
2paragraphs.com is just what it sounds like, a thing that people have time for! It’s a place where people can read, share, and write about their hopes, passions, anything. All in 2paragraphs. The 2paragraphs format is fun. You have to try it. It encourages contributors to articulate their thoughts with consideration and precision. We like to say we’re “respecting people’s time and intelligence.”
Is your NOW simmering, al dente or fully cooked and why?
We launched in September and already have a great following and growing group of contributors, but there’s a lot more coming in 2013, so I would say somewhere between simmering and al dente.
We launched in September and already have a great following and growing group of contributors, but there’s a lot more coming in 2013, so I would say somewhere between simmering and al dente.
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
Lists, lists, lists. Personally, I need recipes to cook (I can’t wing it) and I need lists to get things done. I find it helps to keep separate lists – groceries, what to write about next, books to read. People have this idea that creative work is a willy-nilly endeavor, that it’s angel-kissed and magical. Well, when it’s done it is. But the thing that brings any creative endeavor to fruition is discipline. Discipline is outlines, storyboards, prototypes, practice, editing, and for me especially, lists.
Lists, lists, lists. Personally, I need recipes to cook (I can’t wing it) and I need lists to get things done. I find it helps to keep separate lists – groceries, what to write about next, books to read. People have this idea that creative work is a willy-nilly endeavor, that it’s angel-kissed and magical. Well, when it’s done it is. But the thing that brings any creative endeavor to fruition is discipline. Discipline is outlines, storyboards, prototypes, practice, editing, and for me especially, lists.
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
It’s taken a while but I’ve learn to accept that the most common (and easiest) form of communication today involves social media networks like Facebook and Twitter. I joined both reluctantly but as a writer and publicist, I knew it was necessary. What I found didn’t satisfy me. Too many Facebook postings just aren’t interesting or they begin with a germ of interest but then ramble on because there is no designated structure. And Twitter, well, it’s difficult to communicate big ideas in such a limited space. (There may be a reason why “tweet” sounds a lot like “twee.”)
I’m a mom of two young boys (4.5 and 2.5), so I understand the difficulty of finding time to sit down (alone!) and read one article inThe New York Times let alone a book. It can be frustrating to feel so out of touch with the world. While 2paragraphs doesn’t summarize the news, we do provide insightful perspectives of what’s going on today in the world from politics to art to sports—AND WE INVITE OTHER PEOPLE TO HELP US DO IT. Go HERE for a 2paragraphs personal story.
What inspires you as a Mom and as a creative person?
I’m inspired by people and their ambitions, particularly the unexpected - the woman who inspired Small Business Saturday, the Australians who built a skateboarding park in Afghanistan. Then I have a lot of questions, big and small about schools that are implementing the Princeton Plan, companies that are adding caffeine to kids’ snacks, how a blind runner runs a marathon. That’s all part of the world we live in. I use 2paragraphs to find out about it and say what’s happening and why and/or how.
How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
Delicately. With blind faith. Oh and I think I mentioned: lists.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
I always try to like the one I’m having now the best.
It’s taken a while but I’ve learn to accept that the most common (and easiest) form of communication today involves social media networks like Facebook and Twitter. I joined both reluctantly but as a writer and publicist, I knew it was necessary. What I found didn’t satisfy me. Too many Facebook postings just aren’t interesting or they begin with a germ of interest but then ramble on because there is no designated structure. And Twitter, well, it’s difficult to communicate big ideas in such a limited space. (There may be a reason why “tweet” sounds a lot like “twee.”)
I’m a mom of two young boys (4.5 and 2.5), so I understand the difficulty of finding time to sit down (alone!) and read one article inThe New York Times let alone a book. It can be frustrating to feel so out of touch with the world. While 2paragraphs doesn’t summarize the news, we do provide insightful perspectives of what’s going on today in the world from politics to art to sports—AND WE INVITE OTHER PEOPLE TO HELP US DO IT. Go HERE for a 2paragraphs personal story.
What inspires you as a Mom and as a creative person?
I’m inspired by people and their ambitions, particularly the unexpected - the woman who inspired Small Business Saturday, the Australians who built a skateboarding park in Afghanistan. Then I have a lot of questions, big and small about schools that are implementing the Princeton Plan, companies that are adding caffeine to kids’ snacks, how a blind runner runs a marathon. That’s all part of the world we live in. I use 2paragraphs to find out about it and say what’s happening and why and/or how.
How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
Delicately. With blind faith. Oh and I think I mentioned: lists.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
I always try to like the one I’m having now the best.