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Walt Disney was a dreamer with far-reaching goals. A fanciful visionary who truly believed in the magic of his beliefs.
"If you can dream it, you can do it." --Walt Disney
These days, hope and faith may feel like a lost dream. Yet in every era known to man there has always been two distinct choices: To believe in hope or to give in to despair. The greatest success stories always seem to feature heroes and heroines who take a chance despite the odds. Not only did they risk failure, they usually took an even greater risk. They strove to be unique in a world demanding conformity.
"Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly." ~ St. Francis De Sales
A struggle that many writers face is whether they will need to distort their vision or compromise their ideals in order to conform to what others believe in.
"He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away." ~Raymond Hull
There is much wisdom to be garnered by studying the rules of the craft, by absorbing the wisdom and advice of others in the field. However, writing is art. The ideas spring from your soul. You can learn how to create beautiful prose and how to construct a character arc. You can develop an ability to self-edit with the same finesse as a professional. What you can't learn is how to bring forth the stories that sweep you away. The only way to develop your art is to write without fear, without compromise, without worrying about conforming to anyone's standards but your own.
"Self-trust is the first secret of success." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Self-trust requires one very important thing. We must embrace our Self. So many of us struggle to fit in and to be accepted that we forget that our life is really our own. I remember many years ago, arguing with someone who wanted me to Be something I absolutely wasn't. Furious, I shouted, "Tell you what, next life YOU can be me but until then, I'm making my own damn choices!" *snort* Silly, I know, but my impulsive rant actually awoke within me a determination to not let others rule my life. As life lessons often go, this dilemma has popped up repeatedly as I come full circle and once again face others who insist my success or my happiness is dependent on me conforming to their ideals.
Wrong! *laughs*
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Trust in your dreams, trust in your own vision, trust that you can be and create exactly what you desire. There are times when you'll face rejection or criticism and believe me, it will sting. But those wounds heal much faster when you follow your heart. Many authors have heartily rejected the notion that success depends on conformity. Sherrilyn Kenyon is one author who faced countless rejections and persevered because she absolutely refused to place another person's belief over her own. She believed in her vision and because of that kept submitting until at last she found someone who took a chance. Now, she's a NY Times Bestselling Author. Sound good to you?
Believe in Yourself. Believe in Your Vision.
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." --Walt Disney
Yup, Dreams Can Come True. *smile* In fact, they do all the time. For some, the wait seems interminable, for others the journey is much quicker. One thing all people have in common is this. Happiness does not come as a result of success. Happiness comes from self-fulfillment. When Self-Fulfillment coincides with Success, my friends, you have created a dream come true.
"I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence." –Frederick Douglass
Be yourself. Believe in your Dreams. Know that Success Can Be Yours.
"Sooner or later, those who win are those who think they can." –Richard Bach
Now, I'd like to leave you a taste of Disney.
When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you.
If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do.
Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true. --Ned Washington and Leigh Harline
There is good news on the horizon. *smile* Today on Facebook, agent extraordinaire Jessica Faust posted a link to a NY Times article suggesting sales are up for stories with a happy ending. Ms. Faust's blog is one of the best resources an author can hope for. Her perspective and her insights provide inspiration and a sorely needed solidarity in today's uncertain world. We're lucky to have her as an advocate—her track record speaks for itself. Thanks, Jessica!
Ready to write? Let's keep those dreams alive and put our fingers to work!
Here's to an inspired week of astonishing productivity. Go-go-GO!
Smiles,
Chiron O'Keefe
Also featured at Pop Culture Divas!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Faith is a Passionate Intuition
"All serious daring starts from within." --Eurora Welly
Remember the classic children's story, "The Little Engine That Could"? Although the tale is designed for budding minds, the message contained within is pertinent to all, young and old.
"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!"
Writers often feel the strain and tug on their own internal engines. Struggling to make it over a difficult passage or pushing through a dark tunnel trusting a glimpse of illumination will soon brighten the way.
So what does that little steam engine remind us? Attitude is everything.
"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark
When we face adversity, we yearn for sympathy and hugs. *smile* Yet what we most need is perspective. To realize that an unlined face isn't a symbol of youth but of a life not yet lived. To recognize each moment is a tiny seed bursting into bloom.
"Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses." ~Alphonse Karr
Few careers afford the luxury of turning those lemons into limoncello. *smile* Every tragedy, setback, and obstacle is fertilizer for the imagination. Yup. The pile of manure spread over those seeds can yield some hefty blossoms. Consider Erma Bombeck. Her hilarious anecdotes wouldn't exist if she lived a quiet, uneventful life. Other artistic careers don't profit as we can from those nagging woes. Ah, but we have the luxury of crafting heroines who struggle against the odds or defeat the dark enemy. Not because we have firsthand experience slamming a spike into a vampire's chest either. *grin* For writers, each glorious moment of personal triumph or dreaded hour of despair is a glimpse into a potential story.
"When it is dark enough, you can see the stars." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dig deep, my friends, because All Daring Starts From Within. Dare to write the passage that eludes you (even if it takes a dozen tries). Dare to edit the scene you struggle with. Dare to send off the query even if your fingers tremble with fear as you punch those keys. If you think you can, You Will.
Know what you want to accomplish, each and every day. Know what you want to accomplish five years down the line. The going will get rough, as the saying goes. To quote John Lennon, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
"Nothing contributes so much to tranquilize the mind as a steady purpose - a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye." ~Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Frankenstein, 1818
Here's a secret successful people cling to. If you hold your destination in mind, you will arrive even if you get there from a different road. There will be detours and unexpected stops. However, intuition is a potent tool. Keep that vision in your mind and your intuition will guide you no matter what twists and turns you face.
"Faith is a passionate intuition." ~William Wordsworth
Hmmmm… I think I can, I think I can, I Think I Can!!
We're easing into Spring now, which makes this the perfect time to nurture and feed our stories, prune and revise, and prepare our minds for the harvest yet to come.
No matter what the goal is--to simply write or to get published--we need to keep a picture of our success firmly in mind. Just as we would envision how our plants would bloom, so must we visualize ourselves meeting each goal and celebrating success.
Let's Make It Happen!
Here's to a productive, inspired and successful week!
Smiles,
Chiron O'Keefe
Also featured at Pop Culture Divas
Remember the classic children's story, "The Little Engine That Could"? Although the tale is designed for budding minds, the message contained within is pertinent to all, young and old.
"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!"
Writers often feel the strain and tug on their own internal engines. Struggling to make it over a difficult passage or pushing through a dark tunnel trusting a glimpse of illumination will soon brighten the way.
So what does that little steam engine remind us? Attitude is everything.
"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark
When we face adversity, we yearn for sympathy and hugs. *smile* Yet what we most need is perspective. To realize that an unlined face isn't a symbol of youth but of a life not yet lived. To recognize each moment is a tiny seed bursting into bloom.
"Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses." ~Alphonse Karr
Few careers afford the luxury of turning those lemons into limoncello. *smile* Every tragedy, setback, and obstacle is fertilizer for the imagination. Yup. The pile of manure spread over those seeds can yield some hefty blossoms. Consider Erma Bombeck. Her hilarious anecdotes wouldn't exist if she lived a quiet, uneventful life. Other artistic careers don't profit as we can from those nagging woes. Ah, but we have the luxury of crafting heroines who struggle against the odds or defeat the dark enemy. Not because we have firsthand experience slamming a spike into a vampire's chest either. *grin* For writers, each glorious moment of personal triumph or dreaded hour of despair is a glimpse into a potential story.
"When it is dark enough, you can see the stars." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dig deep, my friends, because All Daring Starts From Within. Dare to write the passage that eludes you (even if it takes a dozen tries). Dare to edit the scene you struggle with. Dare to send off the query even if your fingers tremble with fear as you punch those keys. If you think you can, You Will.
Know what you want to accomplish, each and every day. Know what you want to accomplish five years down the line. The going will get rough, as the saying goes. To quote John Lennon, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
"Nothing contributes so much to tranquilize the mind as a steady purpose - a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye." ~Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Frankenstein, 1818
Here's a secret successful people cling to. If you hold your destination in mind, you will arrive even if you get there from a different road. There will be detours and unexpected stops. However, intuition is a potent tool. Keep that vision in your mind and your intuition will guide you no matter what twists and turns you face.
"Faith is a passionate intuition." ~William Wordsworth
Hmmmm… I think I can, I think I can, I Think I Can!!
We're easing into Spring now, which makes this the perfect time to nurture and feed our stories, prune and revise, and prepare our minds for the harvest yet to come.
No matter what the goal is--to simply write or to get published--we need to keep a picture of our success firmly in mind. Just as we would envision how our plants would bloom, so must we visualize ourselves meeting each goal and celebrating success.
Let's Make It Happen!
Here's to a productive, inspired and successful week!
Smiles,
Chiron O'Keefe
Also featured at Pop Culture Divas
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Guest Blogging at Pop Culture Divas!
I'm honored to now be a part of the Pop Culture Divas group!
Today my debut article is on My Love Affair With Pop Culture.
Stop by and visit if you can...
Smiles to you all,
Chiron
Today my debut article is on My Love Affair With Pop Culture.
Stop by and visit if you can...
Smiles to you all,
Chiron
Monday, March 30, 2009
Free Your Dreams…
"Courage is the power to let go of the familiar." –Raymond Lindquist
Back when I first learned to type, the teacher addressed the class. "Would those who already know a little about typing please raise their hands." The reason? The novices would require more attention to 'unlearn' their bad habits.
Learning music, it's the same situation. My hubby growled in frustration at my tendency to drag the pick across the strings instead of striking them with intent. Yet with my decades of playing haphazardly *laughs* it really took focus to retrain myself to be more precise.
Not just focus. Courage. I needed to embrace a willingness to be a beginner all over again. Scary stuff indeed.
Writers face this same dilemma every time they attempt something new. Whether it be a new book, a new genre, a new scene, a new revision.
"The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become." –Charles Dubois
Each rung we climb takes us higher, but sometimes it feels as if we daren't look down nor up, lest the realization of our momentous undertaking cause our fingers to quake and our hearts constrict with terror. Yet unless we open our eyes, we may believe clinging to that rung is safe when the only practical solution is to keep moving forward, one page at a time.
"It's not so much that we're afraid of change or so in love with the old ways, but it's that place in between that we fear . . . . It's like being between trapezes. It's Linus when his blanket is in the dryer. There's nothing to hold on to." –Marilyn Ferguson
Realizing that our prose needs work, that we have a tendency to lean on crutch words or phrases, or that our characters need fleshing out to become more than just stick figures on a page can be daunting. That's why we need to remind ourselves that while the process of writing does require precision and an evolving ability to craft stories, we dare not let this overwhelm our sense of adventure. As Helen Keller pointed out, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."
To be a storyteller requires us to take risks. To unfurl those literary wings and leap off the cliff, soaring to the heights of our imagination.
"Yes, risk taking is inherently failure-prone. Otherwise, it would be called sure-thing-taking." ~Tim McMahon
"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent in doing nothing." –George Bernard Shaw
After three books in one genre, I switched to suspense. At first, I bubbled over with excitement. *laughs* Then the doubts set in. Could I really do this? Did I have it in me to create a villain? Could I create tension, manage the pacing, work through the mystery?
All good questions. Only one answer: You'll never know until you try.
"Progress always involves risks. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first." ~Frederick B. Wilcox
My passion for this new genre astounds me. The story is slowly taking shape. The characters becoming more real. Even my villain is manifesting more clearly each day I devote to delving deep into my book.
My risk-taking venture is opening my mind to new possibilities and generating more excitement as a result. Unless you take risks, you are in danger of becoming bored or worse yet, complacent. Seize your wildest fantasies and fling them onto the printed page. Make the biggest splash possible within your creative pool, you can always clean up the puddles later.
"We fail more often by timidity than by over-daring." ~David Grayson
If you're feeling a loss of motivation, it could be simply that you're not splashing enough water! *laughs* Open up a fresh page and give yourself permission to write crazy-ass, unbelievable things. What's the wildest action your character could take? What's the most shocking statement your character could make? Splash those words onto the page and at the end you might discover a welcome surprise. At the very least, embracing spontaneity and kicking aside the usual restraints will liberate your soul. Not a bad thing at all. *smile*
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow." ~Mary Anne Radmacher
In honor of the changing seasons, let's 'spring' into action and ignite our passion once more. Remember this is Your Book, Your Choice, Your Life. No matter what the outside world demands or desires, The Power is in Your Hands.
Be free to be yourself.
Be free to dream…
"Dreams are free, so free your dreams." ~Astrid Alauda
Any goals to share?
My focus this week:
I Will Persist. I Will Take Risks.
How about you?
Go-go-GO! Write-write-WRITE!!
Smiles,
Chiron O'Keefe
Featured at: Pop Culture Divas
Back when I first learned to type, the teacher addressed the class. "Would those who already know a little about typing please raise their hands." The reason? The novices would require more attention to 'unlearn' their bad habits.
Learning music, it's the same situation. My hubby growled in frustration at my tendency to drag the pick across the strings instead of striking them with intent. Yet with my decades of playing haphazardly *laughs* it really took focus to retrain myself to be more precise.
Not just focus. Courage. I needed to embrace a willingness to be a beginner all over again. Scary stuff indeed.
Writers face this same dilemma every time they attempt something new. Whether it be a new book, a new genre, a new scene, a new revision.
"The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become." –Charles Dubois
Each rung we climb takes us higher, but sometimes it feels as if we daren't look down nor up, lest the realization of our momentous undertaking cause our fingers to quake and our hearts constrict with terror. Yet unless we open our eyes, we may believe clinging to that rung is safe when the only practical solution is to keep moving forward, one page at a time.
"It's not so much that we're afraid of change or so in love with the old ways, but it's that place in between that we fear . . . . It's like being between trapezes. It's Linus when his blanket is in the dryer. There's nothing to hold on to." –Marilyn Ferguson
Realizing that our prose needs work, that we have a tendency to lean on crutch words or phrases, or that our characters need fleshing out to become more than just stick figures on a page can be daunting. That's why we need to remind ourselves that while the process of writing does require precision and an evolving ability to craft stories, we dare not let this overwhelm our sense of adventure. As Helen Keller pointed out, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."
To be a storyteller requires us to take risks. To unfurl those literary wings and leap off the cliff, soaring to the heights of our imagination.
"Yes, risk taking is inherently failure-prone. Otherwise, it would be called sure-thing-taking." ~Tim McMahon
"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent in doing nothing." –George Bernard Shaw
After three books in one genre, I switched to suspense. At first, I bubbled over with excitement. *laughs* Then the doubts set in. Could I really do this? Did I have it in me to create a villain? Could I create tension, manage the pacing, work through the mystery?
All good questions. Only one answer: You'll never know until you try.
"Progress always involves risks. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first." ~Frederick B. Wilcox
My passion for this new genre astounds me. The story is slowly taking shape. The characters becoming more real. Even my villain is manifesting more clearly each day I devote to delving deep into my book.
My risk-taking venture is opening my mind to new possibilities and generating more excitement as a result. Unless you take risks, you are in danger of becoming bored or worse yet, complacent. Seize your wildest fantasies and fling them onto the printed page. Make the biggest splash possible within your creative pool, you can always clean up the puddles later.
"We fail more often by timidity than by over-daring." ~David Grayson
If you're feeling a loss of motivation, it could be simply that you're not splashing enough water! *laughs* Open up a fresh page and give yourself permission to write crazy-ass, unbelievable things. What's the wildest action your character could take? What's the most shocking statement your character could make? Splash those words onto the page and at the end you might discover a welcome surprise. At the very least, embracing spontaneity and kicking aside the usual restraints will liberate your soul. Not a bad thing at all. *smile*
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow." ~Mary Anne Radmacher
In honor of the changing seasons, let's 'spring' into action and ignite our passion once more. Remember this is Your Book, Your Choice, Your Life. No matter what the outside world demands or desires, The Power is in Your Hands.
Be free to be yourself.
Be free to dream…
"Dreams are free, so free your dreams." ~Astrid Alauda
Any goals to share?
My focus this week:
I Will Persist. I Will Take Risks.
How about you?
Go-go-GO! Write-write-WRITE!!
Smiles,
Chiron O'Keefe
Featured at: Pop Culture Divas
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Persistence--The Breakfast of Champions
"Life is full of obstacle illusions." --Grant Frazier
This week I took my own advice. I set goals, planned which days to accomplish each goal and then didn't give myself a choice, I Just Did It. *wink* After all, if writing was my job, choice wouldn't factor in at all, would it?
It was an intriguing experiment which netted amazing results. In one week's time, I managed a complete edit of my 100,000 word novel. In Three Days. This left Thursday to work on my Royal Blush Authors blog post and today to pound the keys composing my essay. Next up, a quick look-see of my manuscript on Saturday and then it's time to ship it back to my editor.
Am I tired? You bet! *laughs* However, I'm also encouraged. Many times my weary eyes would read of yet another successful author whose busy schedule puts my own to shame. What's the most telling characteristic of a successful author? Persistence. Pushing past the obstacles no matter how tempting it can be to take a breather in the shadows.
Looking for appropriate quotes, I came across one that truly humbled me, inspired me, and fueled my desire to persist.
"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein." ~Life's Little Instruction Book, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr
Whenever I'm tempted to back out of my self-imposed commitments, based on what I feel are overwhelming odds, I'm reminded of Helen Keller, one of my earliest heroes. This woman surmounted obstacles light-years beyond my own petty grumblings. She believed too that everyone can achieve their dreams. Obstacles may be inevitable but giving up is an option I refuse to take.
"Never Give Up, Never Surrender!" --Commander Peter Taggart from Galaxy Quest.
In the movie Galaxy Quest, Jason and crew find themselves battling Space-Uglies in a surreal imitation of their long-cancelled television show. Going from being a pretend hero to an actual battle is quite an adjustment. As long as it's all make-believe, we can back out of the room and pretend none of it matters.
Writers face a similar dilemma. Here I sit locked away in my office. There's no boss breathing down my neck and no paycheck waiting at the end of my week. The same person responsible for accomplishing my goals is the exact same person most likely to renege. *rueful grin* In the beginning, writing is a lovely dream, a fantasy where the space-aliens disintegrate neatly on command and every plot obstacle is tied up within the 47 minutes allotted to the script.
Once we plant ourselves in front of the monitor, we're shoved into the Real World and like Jason Nesmith, discover how exhilarating the action can be AND how tempting it is to walk away.
Don't walk away.
There's success at the end of the road as long as you keep your feet (and fingers) moving steadily forward.
"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong." –Ella Fitzgerald
Those insecurities and doubts hit every writer. Every single writer. There's no magic transformation that distinguishes those who are successful. If you've written a hundred books, there's going to still be a tiny insecurity that whispers, "Are you sure you have one more in you?"
Be kind to yourself in those private moments when you confess your doubts. Trust me, we all go through this.
"I have a love-hate relationship with the writing life. I wouldn't wish to have any other kind of life…and on the other hand, I wish it were easier. And it never is. The reward comes sentence by sentence. The reward comes in the unexpected inspiration. The reward comes from creating a character who lives and breathes and is perfectly real. But such effort it takes to attain the reward! I would never have believed it would take such effort." –Elizabeth George, Write Away, Journal of a Novel, December 15, 1997
Here's the thing. If you're a firefighter or a fictional commander on Galaxy Quest, you don't have a choice. Crisis forces you to act. Rarely is there time to second-guess your decision.
Writers need more stamina, more persistence, and definitely more motivation to keep their energy up and their determination firmly in place. You Are A Hero whenever you push past an obstacle, whether it be inner (trepidation or fear) or outer (squeezing in fifteen minutes between job and/or family time). Being a writer is fun but it's also damn hard work. Honor yourself every day that you fulfill your self-imposed commitment.
I Am A Writer! Woo-hoo!
"There are no shortcuts to any place worth going." ~Beverly Sills
"The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do." ~Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy, 1996
Now, here's where my nagging inner voice says, "Okay, fine. We need to persist. We need to stick to our goals, but how do I push myself past the funk that sometimes grips me hard?"
Good point, dastardly inner voice! *grin*
There's good reason books on positive thinking and sales seminars advocate affirmations as a means of self-motivation. Here's an intriguing tidbit. Did you know studies have linked memory to emotion? The more intense the emotion, the more likely you are to remember the moment.
Why? The brain is responsible for, and capable of, noting every single second of the day, yet our conscious recollection is selective. A good way to understand this is to think of your phone. You can store a select amount of numbers, however there are a few you can put on speed dial. Those 'intense' thoughts are on speed dial.
How does this serve us as writers, or even in our daily life?
Any thought you infuse with intense emotion is on your own inner speed dial. Think of those select numbers as the probable reality you want to connect with.
Positive thinking is not simply looking on the bright side (though optimism is always good!). Nor is it simply chanting affirmations automatically.
This is a process of self-hypnosis which plants in your brain a belief that shapes your reality. It may sound silly, to stand in front of the mirror and shout, "I Am A Success!!" but it works. When you whip up enough enthusiasm, you actually believe it's true. When you believe it's true, you think like a success, you act like a success and you tune into opportunities based on your belief.
"Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire." ~Arnold H. Glasow
Helen Keller could never have accomplished so much without fervently believing she could. The astonishing accomplishments we stand in awe of all depended on a person believing in success, and persisting beyond all obstacles, even self-doubt. Without persistence, Disneyland would not exist. The Sistine Chapel ceiling would be blank. And this essay would not be written. *smile*
This week, let's have a dual goal. First and foremost, let's 'set ourselves on fire' by staring in the mirror at least once a day and saying those magic words. "I AM A Success. I Persist Because I AM A Success and That's What Successful People Do." Repeat until you feel the tingle. You'll know it when it happens. *wink*
Our simultaneous goal? Persist! Push for one more sentence, one more page, one more scene. Treat writing like a job that you love. If doubt intrudes or the urge to procrastinate hits, head back to the mirror.
Remember, You Are A Success. Your Actions Make You A Success.
Here's to a persistent, productive and successful week!
Smiles,
Chiron O'Keefe
Featured at:
Pop Culture Divas
This week I took my own advice. I set goals, planned which days to accomplish each goal and then didn't give myself a choice, I Just Did It. *wink* After all, if writing was my job, choice wouldn't factor in at all, would it?
It was an intriguing experiment which netted amazing results. In one week's time, I managed a complete edit of my 100,000 word novel. In Three Days. This left Thursday to work on my Royal Blush Authors blog post and today to pound the keys composing my essay. Next up, a quick look-see of my manuscript on Saturday and then it's time to ship it back to my editor.
Am I tired? You bet! *laughs* However, I'm also encouraged. Many times my weary eyes would read of yet another successful author whose busy schedule puts my own to shame. What's the most telling characteristic of a successful author? Persistence. Pushing past the obstacles no matter how tempting it can be to take a breather in the shadows.
Looking for appropriate quotes, I came across one that truly humbled me, inspired me, and fueled my desire to persist.
"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein." ~Life's Little Instruction Book, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr
Whenever I'm tempted to back out of my self-imposed commitments, based on what I feel are overwhelming odds, I'm reminded of Helen Keller, one of my earliest heroes. This woman surmounted obstacles light-years beyond my own petty grumblings. She believed too that everyone can achieve their dreams. Obstacles may be inevitable but giving up is an option I refuse to take.
"Never Give Up, Never Surrender!" --Commander Peter Taggart from Galaxy Quest.
In the movie Galaxy Quest, Jason and crew find themselves battling Space-Uglies in a surreal imitation of their long-cancelled television show. Going from being a pretend hero to an actual battle is quite an adjustment. As long as it's all make-believe, we can back out of the room and pretend none of it matters.
Writers face a similar dilemma. Here I sit locked away in my office. There's no boss breathing down my neck and no paycheck waiting at the end of my week. The same person responsible for accomplishing my goals is the exact same person most likely to renege. *rueful grin* In the beginning, writing is a lovely dream, a fantasy where the space-aliens disintegrate neatly on command and every plot obstacle is tied up within the 47 minutes allotted to the script.
Once we plant ourselves in front of the monitor, we're shoved into the Real World and like Jason Nesmith, discover how exhilarating the action can be AND how tempting it is to walk away.
Don't walk away.
There's success at the end of the road as long as you keep your feet (and fingers) moving steadily forward.
"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong." –Ella Fitzgerald
Those insecurities and doubts hit every writer. Every single writer. There's no magic transformation that distinguishes those who are successful. If you've written a hundred books, there's going to still be a tiny insecurity that whispers, "Are you sure you have one more in you?"
Be kind to yourself in those private moments when you confess your doubts. Trust me, we all go through this.
"I have a love-hate relationship with the writing life. I wouldn't wish to have any other kind of life…and on the other hand, I wish it were easier. And it never is. The reward comes sentence by sentence. The reward comes in the unexpected inspiration. The reward comes from creating a character who lives and breathes and is perfectly real. But such effort it takes to attain the reward! I would never have believed it would take such effort." –Elizabeth George, Write Away, Journal of a Novel, December 15, 1997
Here's the thing. If you're a firefighter or a fictional commander on Galaxy Quest, you don't have a choice. Crisis forces you to act. Rarely is there time to second-guess your decision.
Writers need more stamina, more persistence, and definitely more motivation to keep their energy up and their determination firmly in place. You Are A Hero whenever you push past an obstacle, whether it be inner (trepidation or fear) or outer (squeezing in fifteen minutes between job and/or family time). Being a writer is fun but it's also damn hard work. Honor yourself every day that you fulfill your self-imposed commitment.
I Am A Writer! Woo-hoo!
"There are no shortcuts to any place worth going." ~Beverly Sills
"The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do." ~Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy, 1996
Now, here's where my nagging inner voice says, "Okay, fine. We need to persist. We need to stick to our goals, but how do I push myself past the funk that sometimes grips me hard?"
Good point, dastardly inner voice! *grin*
There's good reason books on positive thinking and sales seminars advocate affirmations as a means of self-motivation. Here's an intriguing tidbit. Did you know studies have linked memory to emotion? The more intense the emotion, the more likely you are to remember the moment.
Why? The brain is responsible for, and capable of, noting every single second of the day, yet our conscious recollection is selective. A good way to understand this is to think of your phone. You can store a select amount of numbers, however there are a few you can put on speed dial. Those 'intense' thoughts are on speed dial.
How does this serve us as writers, or even in our daily life?
Any thought you infuse with intense emotion is on your own inner speed dial. Think of those select numbers as the probable reality you want to connect with.
Positive thinking is not simply looking on the bright side (though optimism is always good!). Nor is it simply chanting affirmations automatically.
This is a process of self-hypnosis which plants in your brain a belief that shapes your reality. It may sound silly, to stand in front of the mirror and shout, "I Am A Success!!" but it works. When you whip up enough enthusiasm, you actually believe it's true. When you believe it's true, you think like a success, you act like a success and you tune into opportunities based on your belief.
"Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire." ~Arnold H. Glasow
Helen Keller could never have accomplished so much without fervently believing she could. The astonishing accomplishments we stand in awe of all depended on a person believing in success, and persisting beyond all obstacles, even self-doubt. Without persistence, Disneyland would not exist. The Sistine Chapel ceiling would be blank. And this essay would not be written. *smile*
This week, let's have a dual goal. First and foremost, let's 'set ourselves on fire' by staring in the mirror at least once a day and saying those magic words. "I AM A Success. I Persist Because I AM A Success and That's What Successful People Do." Repeat until you feel the tingle. You'll know it when it happens. *wink*
Our simultaneous goal? Persist! Push for one more sentence, one more page, one more scene. Treat writing like a job that you love. If doubt intrudes or the urge to procrastinate hits, head back to the mirror.
Remember, You Are A Success. Your Actions Make You A Success.
Here's to a persistent, productive and successful week!
Smiles,
Chiron O'Keefe
Featured at:
Pop Culture Divas
Monday, March 16, 2009
Just Do It
"We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action." ~Frank Tibolt
Author, Linda Ford posted a message awhile back in the RWA Online Forum where she puzzled over the resistance she experienced every time she sat down to write. I can pull up page after page in my own journal where I shook my own mental fist at the universe and asked the same thing.
A friend had phoned a couple of months ago, puzzling over her own resistance, this in relation to working out at the gym. She thrives on exercising, so why does she procrastinate and avoid an activity she loves? She hoped I would provide some magic answer and all I could tell her was this. Don’t think about it. Just do it.
It sounds too simple. Too flippant. Yet, Linda herself summed it up with an illuminating insight: “What made me slip into considering the activity rather than doing it?”
“A warrior lives by acting, not by thinking about acting, nor by thinking about what he will think when he has finished acting.” –Carlos Castaneda
What I realized as I began this essay is this. For all the tasks we face, whether they be pleasurable or onerous, there’s always one distinction. Do we have a choice? When we don’t, we can’t allow ourselves the luxury to think about it. We know we have to just do it. Now, this doesn’t stop the cycle of resistance! If it were that easy, there would be no missed deadlines. *rueful grin* It does, however, provide a clue as to the process. Since we CAN choose, we stop and think. People who perform heroic acts would probably all agree, had they stopped to think about it, they probably wouldn’t have had the courage. Or the strength. Or the extra push needed to succeed.
Just Do It.
“You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.” –Henry Ford
Years ago, a good friend of mine told me why he loved to ski. “When you’re up on that snowy mountain, you can’t stop and think about everything. You just do it.”
Huh.
There it is again.
Linda’s post prompted much thought on my part. A contemplation about both resistance and the choice to resist. In all areas of my life. Even in the mental phrasing of what I’m doing.
Do I say to myself, “Today I HAVE to write. Today I HAVE to edit this many pages.”
Or do I just say, “Today I write. Today I edit this many pages.”
Hmm… Food for thought.
“It is always your next move.” --Napoleon Hill
Just Do It.
How can it still be winter? *grin* Spring is almost upon us and here we are at the crux of change. It is up to us to choose which direction to take each day. Should we consider whether or not to write or simply write? What is our choice?
Consider this…
Whatever we want to accomplish, we can. Whatever we choose to accomplish, we will. Whatever we want to be, we are.
We Are Writers. And what do writers do?
We Write! So… Just Do It! *grin*
Here's to a solid week of productivity. Write-write-WRITE! Go-go-GO!!
Smiles to you,
Chiron O'Keefe
Featured at Pop Culture Divas
Author, Linda Ford posted a message awhile back in the RWA Online Forum where she puzzled over the resistance she experienced every time she sat down to write. I can pull up page after page in my own journal where I shook my own mental fist at the universe and asked the same thing.
A friend had phoned a couple of months ago, puzzling over her own resistance, this in relation to working out at the gym. She thrives on exercising, so why does she procrastinate and avoid an activity she loves? She hoped I would provide some magic answer and all I could tell her was this. Don’t think about it. Just do it.
It sounds too simple. Too flippant. Yet, Linda herself summed it up with an illuminating insight: “What made me slip into considering the activity rather than doing it?”
“A warrior lives by acting, not by thinking about acting, nor by thinking about what he will think when he has finished acting.” –Carlos Castaneda
What I realized as I began this essay is this. For all the tasks we face, whether they be pleasurable or onerous, there’s always one distinction. Do we have a choice? When we don’t, we can’t allow ourselves the luxury to think about it. We know we have to just do it. Now, this doesn’t stop the cycle of resistance! If it were that easy, there would be no missed deadlines. *rueful grin* It does, however, provide a clue as to the process. Since we CAN choose, we stop and think. People who perform heroic acts would probably all agree, had they stopped to think about it, they probably wouldn’t have had the courage. Or the strength. Or the extra push needed to succeed.
Just Do It.
“You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.” –Henry Ford
Years ago, a good friend of mine told me why he loved to ski. “When you’re up on that snowy mountain, you can’t stop and think about everything. You just do it.”
Huh.
There it is again.
Linda’s post prompted much thought on my part. A contemplation about both resistance and the choice to resist. In all areas of my life. Even in the mental phrasing of what I’m doing.
Do I say to myself, “Today I HAVE to write. Today I HAVE to edit this many pages.”
Or do I just say, “Today I write. Today I edit this many pages.”
Hmm… Food for thought.
“It is always your next move.” --Napoleon Hill
Just Do It.
How can it still be winter? *grin* Spring is almost upon us and here we are at the crux of change. It is up to us to choose which direction to take each day. Should we consider whether or not to write or simply write? What is our choice?
Consider this…
Whatever we want to accomplish, we can. Whatever we choose to accomplish, we will. Whatever we want to be, we are.
We Are Writers. And what do writers do?
We Write! So… Just Do It! *grin*
Here's to a solid week of productivity. Write-write-WRITE! Go-go-GO!!
Smiles to you,
Chiron O'Keefe
Featured at Pop Culture Divas
Monday, March 9, 2009
The Secret of Success
"The road that is built in hope is more pleasant to the traveler than the road built in despair, even though they both lead to the same destination." ~Marian Zimmer Bradley
The journey to success can be a treacherous one. No matter how meticulously you plan, or how enthusiastically you dream, there will be trials and tribulations. It's inevitable. Yet here's where my story-teller's mind jumps in to play.
Imagine you're bouncing about with several companions on a rickety boat in a stormy sea. Rain falls in bitter cold sheets, drenching the lot of you while the gale-force winds buffet your leaky vessel with relentless glee.
One person shouts above the shrieking wind, "Hang on there, help will arrive! We just have to work together and we'll make it through this!"
Another screams, "We're doomed, I tell you! Doomed! Shark-bait and fish food. This baby's going down and we're all going to die!!!"
Which person would you rather share the life-raft with? *wink*
"I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship." –Louisa May Alcott
There have been endless jokes about the old 'glass half-full or half-empty' scenario. Yet one thing remains true. We train our eyes, train our mind to seek out whichever circumstances we believe in. This applies to The Big Picture as well as the absolutely mundane. Why bother to even look for a convenient parking space if you already know it's impossible? Hmm? *grin*
Few people find success without actively seeking it out. Success is elusive, I admit. You have to invest time, energy, and focus with determination and an endless supply of patience. Most important though is the belief that leads our perception. We must believe in success in order to look for it. We must have hope and optimism to chase those clouds away and keep our inner light shining bright.
"An optimist is the human personification of spring." –Susan J. Bissonette
Now a phrase like "beliefs create reality" may strike some as metaphysical mumbo-jumbo. Others may just see it as simply another take on positive thinking, a perspective that has been around for eons. But let's backtrack and examine the idea from a strictly practical viewpoint. Bottom line: If you believe in success, you're more likely to have your eyes and ears open to any opportunity that comes your way. Put more simply, if you're looking for smiles, you'll find them. If you're looking for scowls, then that is what you'll zoom in on.
"You were not born a winner, and you were not born a loser. You are what you make yourself be." ~ Lou Holtz
If we walk into a room with our heads held high, shoulders back and an enthusiastic smile blooming on the face, we'll make a different impression than if we trudge in with shoulders slumped, right? Now consider this. Our self-talk, our beliefs, affect the impression we make on ourselves. You are the captain, and the ship is your life. Think back to the imaginary companions' cries during the treacherous storm, which person would you want piloting your ship?
"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within." ~Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
"The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes." --Benjamin Disraeli
A good way to examine your beliefs about success is to fill in a sentence like this:
"If I were a success then I would…"
For some of us, just starting the sentence gives us shivers and tingles. *grin* What would I do? Would I write with more passion or pump out more pages? Would I feel a surge of anticipation and bask in a glow of confident expectancy?
"Success doesn't come to you…you go to it." --Marva Collins
Success and optimism go hand in hand. It's natural to assume that the outer trappings is what signifies victory As if 'success' is a magical land in which only a lucky few are granted entrance.
Here's my quote: Success is not the promised land; success is a chosen attitude that leads to accomplishment.
"Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success." --Dr. Joyce Brothers
Being a success means also that you accept mistakes as part of the process. There's this great Disney flick called 'Meet the Robinsons.' The motto of this movie could have been: Making Mistakes is the Secret of Success. *grin* I love this movie for many reasons, but especially for this theme. It's so true. Unless you let yourself experiment and make mistakes, you'll never move forward. And unless you Believe You Are A Success, you may not have the confidence to make those oh-so-necessary mistakes.
"Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It’s quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn’t at all. You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it, So go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because remember that’s where you will find success." – Thomas J. Watson
"History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heart-breaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats." --B.C. Forbes
This week, as we tackle each new day, let's frame our thoughts with an attitude of hope and success. Let's 'look for smiles' and tell ourselves every day (at least for one week), "I Am A Success." Remember, winning doesn't make you a success. Knowing you already are a success means you Go For The Win.
Success will never be a big step in the future, success is a small step taken just now. ~Jonatan Mårtensson
Wishing us all a very successful week indeed!!
Smiles to you all,
Chiron O'Keefe
The journey to success can be a treacherous one. No matter how meticulously you plan, or how enthusiastically you dream, there will be trials and tribulations. It's inevitable. Yet here's where my story-teller's mind jumps in to play.
Imagine you're bouncing about with several companions on a rickety boat in a stormy sea. Rain falls in bitter cold sheets, drenching the lot of you while the gale-force winds buffet your leaky vessel with relentless glee.
One person shouts above the shrieking wind, "Hang on there, help will arrive! We just have to work together and we'll make it through this!"
Another screams, "We're doomed, I tell you! Doomed! Shark-bait and fish food. This baby's going down and we're all going to die!!!"
Which person would you rather share the life-raft with? *wink*
"I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship." –Louisa May Alcott
There have been endless jokes about the old 'glass half-full or half-empty' scenario. Yet one thing remains true. We train our eyes, train our mind to seek out whichever circumstances we believe in. This applies to The Big Picture as well as the absolutely mundane. Why bother to even look for a convenient parking space if you already know it's impossible? Hmm? *grin*
Few people find success without actively seeking it out. Success is elusive, I admit. You have to invest time, energy, and focus with determination and an endless supply of patience. Most important though is the belief that leads our perception. We must believe in success in order to look for it. We must have hope and optimism to chase those clouds away and keep our inner light shining bright.
"An optimist is the human personification of spring." –Susan J. Bissonette
Now a phrase like "beliefs create reality" may strike some as metaphysical mumbo-jumbo. Others may just see it as simply another take on positive thinking, a perspective that has been around for eons. But let's backtrack and examine the idea from a strictly practical viewpoint. Bottom line: If you believe in success, you're more likely to have your eyes and ears open to any opportunity that comes your way. Put more simply, if you're looking for smiles, you'll find them. If you're looking for scowls, then that is what you'll zoom in on.
"You were not born a winner, and you were not born a loser. You are what you make yourself be." ~ Lou Holtz
If we walk into a room with our heads held high, shoulders back and an enthusiastic smile blooming on the face, we'll make a different impression than if we trudge in with shoulders slumped, right? Now consider this. Our self-talk, our beliefs, affect the impression we make on ourselves. You are the captain, and the ship is your life. Think back to the imaginary companions' cries during the treacherous storm, which person would you want piloting your ship?
"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within." ~Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
"The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes." --Benjamin Disraeli
A good way to examine your beliefs about success is to fill in a sentence like this:
"If I were a success then I would…"
For some of us, just starting the sentence gives us shivers and tingles. *grin* What would I do? Would I write with more passion or pump out more pages? Would I feel a surge of anticipation and bask in a glow of confident expectancy?
"Success doesn't come to you…you go to it." --Marva Collins
Success and optimism go hand in hand. It's natural to assume that the outer trappings is what signifies victory As if 'success' is a magical land in which only a lucky few are granted entrance.
Here's my quote: Success is not the promised land; success is a chosen attitude that leads to accomplishment.
"Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success." --Dr. Joyce Brothers
Being a success means also that you accept mistakes as part of the process. There's this great Disney flick called 'Meet the Robinsons.' The motto of this movie could have been: Making Mistakes is the Secret of Success. *grin* I love this movie for many reasons, but especially for this theme. It's so true. Unless you let yourself experiment and make mistakes, you'll never move forward. And unless you Believe You Are A Success, you may not have the confidence to make those oh-so-necessary mistakes.
"Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It’s quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn’t at all. You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it, So go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because remember that’s where you will find success." – Thomas J. Watson
"History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heart-breaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats." --B.C. Forbes
This week, as we tackle each new day, let's frame our thoughts with an attitude of hope and success. Let's 'look for smiles' and tell ourselves every day (at least for one week), "I Am A Success." Remember, winning doesn't make you a success. Knowing you already are a success means you Go For The Win.
Success will never be a big step in the future, success is a small step taken just now. ~Jonatan Mårtensson
Wishing us all a very successful week indeed!!
Smiles to you all,
Chiron O'Keefe
Monday, March 2, 2009
Dream-Wranglers
"He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered whose it was and whether they were enjoying it." –Douglas Adams from Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
Writers are an odd breed. We spend our lives immersed in a dream world, a universe where we call the shots. Real life can seem like a pesky intrusion, and often, as the writing fervor grips us, we may lose track of exactly who is writing whom.
"Dreams are . . . illustrations from the book your soul is writing about you." --Marsha Norman
We become fascinated with the mundane. Curious about the craziest things. Our lives are dominated by two words: What If? As a result, our minds are prone to wander and eyes may glaze as we turn away from what non-writers call Real Life and enter the world we know so well.
"I dream for a living." -- Steven Spielberg
Truly, such a venture sounds heavenly. Which is why so many strangers sigh and comment, "I've always wanted to write."
It is a dream come true. Except even writers must awaken now and again. Truth is, as much fun as it is (yes, it IS like living in our own personal Disneyland), the work involved and the pressure we put on ourselves can make blood vessels burst.
"A writer's problem does not change. He himself changes and the world he lives in changes but his problem remains the same. It is always how to write truly and having found what is true, to project it in such a way that it becomes a part of the experience of the person who reads it." --Ernest Hemingway
The pictures in our head are so vivid and clear. Yet the process of wrangling them into words is as easy as tossing a rope around a bolt of lightning and dragging it down to earth.
Dream-wranglers is what we are. Herding those crazy ideas onto the paper and with patience and persistence, coaxing out the story we know to be there. Easy, right?
"The profession of book writing makes horse racing seem like a solid and stable business." --John Steinbeck.
True enough, this is one crazy business. While most non-writers see writing as doing nothing but playing with words all day (and even as I type this, a grin sneaks up my face because it is damn fun), the work can be draining. Add to that the pressure of trying to get published, trying to stay published, pleasing an audience or hoping for a good review, meeting deadlines and tackling promotional duties, and the "fun" gets overwhelmed by the work. Hey, even chocolate-tasters need a break!
"The ability to play is essential to being a creative artist." --Dewitt Jones
Writers need to play. Without that childlike ability, we're doomed to a life of dull prose so dry that our readers will be in serious need of hydration. However, it's not just the ability to play that matters. There's a serious need here to incorporate R&R into our routine. Why?
The first is the "Duh Factor." If you're too burnt out to work, your writing will suffer. The second is less obvious but just as vital. Playing refuels the flame, which in turn inspires us with new ideas and devious plot twists.
Just today, I thought to myself that maybe I should spend the weekend writing, instead of delving into music with dear hubby as we planned. Which is when my muse whispered a contrary opinion. *heh-heh* The playful times inspire me. I feel more refreshed, more energized, and infinitely more ready to jump back into my writing as a result.
"Play keeps us vital and alive. It gives us an enthusiasm for life that is irreplaceable. Without it, life just doesn't taste good." --Lucia Capocchione
Ah, yes. We do want life to "taste" like chocolate all the time, right? And especially our writing. Yum-yum. We can be so driven that we feel guilty for those occasional moments when we yearn to break free of the routine.
Then again… who knows what ideas might spring up while playing a game with your child or catching the latest flick with a dear chum? What troublesome plot point might be resolved when you give your weary brain a rest and let the muse step forth once more? Do remember to bring your handy purse-sized notebook along to jot down those lightning bolts when they strike!
Play keeps us revitalized and helps us to remember we are truly alive, and awake. How better to make those stories come to life than to remind ourselves now and then to wake up out of our dream world and jump feet first into real life?
"Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake." –Edgar Allen Poe
So, along with our constant desire to keep writing, let's also encourage a slightly different angle:
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." --George Bernard Shaw
"The world is your playground. Why aren't you playing?" --Ellie Katz
And one of my all-time favorites, from a man who demonstrated the fine art of playing throughout his life:
"Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana." –Groucho Marx
Let's embrace the dream and reap the benefits of play. Here's wishing us all a playful and productive week!
Smiles to you,
Chiron O'Keefe
Writers are an odd breed. We spend our lives immersed in a dream world, a universe where we call the shots. Real life can seem like a pesky intrusion, and often, as the writing fervor grips us, we may lose track of exactly who is writing whom.
"Dreams are . . . illustrations from the book your soul is writing about you." --Marsha Norman
We become fascinated with the mundane. Curious about the craziest things. Our lives are dominated by two words: What If? As a result, our minds are prone to wander and eyes may glaze as we turn away from what non-writers call Real Life and enter the world we know so well.
"I dream for a living." -- Steven Spielberg
Truly, such a venture sounds heavenly. Which is why so many strangers sigh and comment, "I've always wanted to write."
It is a dream come true. Except even writers must awaken now and again. Truth is, as much fun as it is (yes, it IS like living in our own personal Disneyland), the work involved and the pressure we put on ourselves can make blood vessels burst.
"A writer's problem does not change. He himself changes and the world he lives in changes but his problem remains the same. It is always how to write truly and having found what is true, to project it in such a way that it becomes a part of the experience of the person who reads it." --Ernest Hemingway
The pictures in our head are so vivid and clear. Yet the process of wrangling them into words is as easy as tossing a rope around a bolt of lightning and dragging it down to earth.
Dream-wranglers is what we are. Herding those crazy ideas onto the paper and with patience and persistence, coaxing out the story we know to be there. Easy, right?
"The profession of book writing makes horse racing seem like a solid and stable business." --John Steinbeck.
True enough, this is one crazy business. While most non-writers see writing as doing nothing but playing with words all day (and even as I type this, a grin sneaks up my face because it is damn fun), the work can be draining. Add to that the pressure of trying to get published, trying to stay published, pleasing an audience or hoping for a good review, meeting deadlines and tackling promotional duties, and the "fun" gets overwhelmed by the work. Hey, even chocolate-tasters need a break!
"The ability to play is essential to being a creative artist." --Dewitt Jones
Writers need to play. Without that childlike ability, we're doomed to a life of dull prose so dry that our readers will be in serious need of hydration. However, it's not just the ability to play that matters. There's a serious need here to incorporate R&R into our routine. Why?
The first is the "Duh Factor." If you're too burnt out to work, your writing will suffer. The second is less obvious but just as vital. Playing refuels the flame, which in turn inspires us with new ideas and devious plot twists.
Just today, I thought to myself that maybe I should spend the weekend writing, instead of delving into music with dear hubby as we planned. Which is when my muse whispered a contrary opinion. *heh-heh* The playful times inspire me. I feel more refreshed, more energized, and infinitely more ready to jump back into my writing as a result.
"Play keeps us vital and alive. It gives us an enthusiasm for life that is irreplaceable. Without it, life just doesn't taste good." --Lucia Capocchione
Ah, yes. We do want life to "taste" like chocolate all the time, right? And especially our writing. Yum-yum. We can be so driven that we feel guilty for those occasional moments when we yearn to break free of the routine.
Then again… who knows what ideas might spring up while playing a game with your child or catching the latest flick with a dear chum? What troublesome plot point might be resolved when you give your weary brain a rest and let the muse step forth once more? Do remember to bring your handy purse-sized notebook along to jot down those lightning bolts when they strike!
Play keeps us revitalized and helps us to remember we are truly alive, and awake. How better to make those stories come to life than to remind ourselves now and then to wake up out of our dream world and jump feet first into real life?
"Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake." –Edgar Allen Poe
So, along with our constant desire to keep writing, let's also encourage a slightly different angle:
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." --George Bernard Shaw
"The world is your playground. Why aren't you playing?" --Ellie Katz
And one of my all-time favorites, from a man who demonstrated the fine art of playing throughout his life:
"Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana." –Groucho Marx
Let's embrace the dream and reap the benefits of play. Here's wishing us all a playful and productive week!
Smiles to you,
Chiron O'Keefe
Monday, February 23, 2009
Chasing Your Own Tale
"Writing is just having a sheet of paper, a pen and not a shadow of an idea of what you are going to say."--Francoise Sagan
In the whimsical land of writing, there are fabled authors who know exactly what they’re going to write. The story shines crystal clear in their minds. They confidently type up a meticulous outline and go boldly ahead. I’m torn between falling to my knees in admiration and secretly searching for a way to strangle them and get away with it. *heh-heh*
I’ll admit it. I’m choked up with envy over such a gift. My ideas are vague at best. If this was a recipe I was preparing to cook, there’d be a warning label for every potential diner.
“If I'm trying to sleep, the ideas won't stop. If I'm trying to write, there appears a barren nothingness.” --Carrie Latet
Like most writers, my gut reaction is to believe other people can blithely put together a story and I alone must struggle through each word. Truth is, most writers strain to complete a book. Either the story itself comes out haltingly sentence by sentence or if they’re able to fly through the initial draft, the rewrite seems a torturous and never-ending process.
"Contrary to what many of you may imagine, a career in letters is not without its drawbacks - chief among them the unpleasant fact that one is frequently called upon to sit down and write." --Charles Kingsley
I dot my essays with quotes with the same passion I butter my bread. Not only do they add a welcome richness to my focus, they help remind me that struggle is a universal condition. Writing is hard work. There’s no getting around it. However it’s a popular misconception to believe it’s a snap. Sure, we have Guitar Hero and American Idol computerized games to feed the fantasy of being a rock star without any effort. Notice there is no equivalent entertainment for those fantasizing about being a novelist. No “write by numbers” hobby kits. *laughs* Trying to come up with a fun, easy and quick way to write is not really feasible.
“The expression "to write something down" suggests a descent of thought to the fingers whose movements immediately falsify it." ~William Gass, "Habitations of the Word," Kenyon Review, October 1984
To work is inevitable-to finish, divine. *grin* So what to do when we want to write but the story isn’t quite there? When we know what we want to say but we’re clueless on how to express it? How about when the story is there, you’re on the zillionth rewrite and there’s something still missing?
Ironically, the only real solution is the same action that got us into this mess in the first place. *smile* We write.
"Write as often as possible, not with the idea at once of getting into print, but as if you were learning an instrument."-- J B Priestley
Workshops, books and advisors can widen our knowledge of our craft but the writing itself is the only way to learn. Dang it! Here’s the good news: You will learn. Writing is like music in very special way. Just as you can’t possibly know what a note sounds like until you hear it, neither can you quite grasp the craft of writing until you do it yourself. Trust me on this, there will be epiphanies along the way, those ‘ah-hah!’ moments when you suddenly see in brilliant clarity How To accomplish the various aspects of writing. Just keep writing.
For some, the only way to know a story is by writing it. I’m one of those people. I’m not a pantser, per se. If I was, I’d gleefully pound those keys without worrying what’s going to happen next. A weird hybrid between pantser and plotter, I struggle to piece together the outline while I’m writing my book. It’s what works for me. By the end of the book the theme becomes more apparent and it’s then I can go back and rewrite, revise and shape my book to suit the vision that I just now fully grasp.
“The time to begin writing an article is when you have finished it to your satisfaction. By that time you begin to clearly and logically perceive what it is you really want to say.” ~Mark Twain
Advice is abundant in the writing world yet one thing will always be true. You must discover your own path. If you let yourself believe that the way another author pens a story is The Way, you could end up banging your head against the keyboard. Writing essays is something that flows easily for me. Yet with books I take more time. Until the story is there, my progress is slow. Writing a book in a month wouldn’t work for me. When I try I just draw a blank because the story isn’t yet there. I could beat myself up (always a tempting option) or I could let myself develop as a writer. Which process do you think has borne more fruit?
"Write quickly and you will never write well. Write well, and you will soon write quickly." -Marcus Fabius Quintilianus
Forge your own path. Discover what works for you. Be inspired by others but let go the need to fit into another’s box. Not only is it confining but the time you spend trying to conform could have been spent writing. *grin*
"I admire anybody who has the guts to write anything at all." -E.B. White
If you’re feeling stuck, take a break. Walk around the block or do a load of laundry. Step into the sunshine or dance around the kitchen to a favorite tune. Put a definite time limit on your “inspiration break” and then return to your writing. Creating stories takes effort and the temptation to avoid it can be overwhelming. If the story or scene isn’t there, write in your journal or pull up a “free-write” document and type out the dilemma. The key here is to Keep Writing. Don’t let yourself believe in an “out” or trust me, you’ll take it. *laughs* Procrastination is like chocolate. Delicious but best enjoyed in small doses.
Why do authors write? Because they have stories to tell. Maybe your story is complete or maybe it will come together sentence by sentence. Yet one thing remains clear, all authors write their books one word at a time. The best advice in the world boils down to this, if you want to be a successful author, Write. Only by writing can your story be heard.
“Writing is a struggle against silence.” ~Carlos Fuentes
Here’s to another productive week! I’m up to page 230 on my edits. 86 pages this week! My editor’s comments are illuminating (in a painful yet liberating way) and as a result, I’m learning more than ever before. I love being a writer!
My goals:
At least fifty pages of edits (I’m shooting for more).
My weekly essay.
Expanding short story idea.
How about you? Any goals to share?
Let’s get busy! Write-write-WRITE. Go-go-GO!!
Smiles,
Chiron O’Keefe
http://www.chironokeefe.blogspot.com/
In the whimsical land of writing, there are fabled authors who know exactly what they’re going to write. The story shines crystal clear in their minds. They confidently type up a meticulous outline and go boldly ahead. I’m torn between falling to my knees in admiration and secretly searching for a way to strangle them and get away with it. *heh-heh*
I’ll admit it. I’m choked up with envy over such a gift. My ideas are vague at best. If this was a recipe I was preparing to cook, there’d be a warning label for every potential diner.
“If I'm trying to sleep, the ideas won't stop. If I'm trying to write, there appears a barren nothingness.” --Carrie Latet
Like most writers, my gut reaction is to believe other people can blithely put together a story and I alone must struggle through each word. Truth is, most writers strain to complete a book. Either the story itself comes out haltingly sentence by sentence or if they’re able to fly through the initial draft, the rewrite seems a torturous and never-ending process.
"Contrary to what many of you may imagine, a career in letters is not without its drawbacks - chief among them the unpleasant fact that one is frequently called upon to sit down and write." --Charles Kingsley
I dot my essays with quotes with the same passion I butter my bread. Not only do they add a welcome richness to my focus, they help remind me that struggle is a universal condition. Writing is hard work. There’s no getting around it. However it’s a popular misconception to believe it’s a snap. Sure, we have Guitar Hero and American Idol computerized games to feed the fantasy of being a rock star without any effort. Notice there is no equivalent entertainment for those fantasizing about being a novelist. No “write by numbers” hobby kits. *laughs* Trying to come up with a fun, easy and quick way to write is not really feasible.
“The expression "to write something down" suggests a descent of thought to the fingers whose movements immediately falsify it." ~William Gass, "Habitations of the Word," Kenyon Review, October 1984
To work is inevitable-to finish, divine. *grin* So what to do when we want to write but the story isn’t quite there? When we know what we want to say but we’re clueless on how to express it? How about when the story is there, you’re on the zillionth rewrite and there’s something still missing?
Ironically, the only real solution is the same action that got us into this mess in the first place. *smile* We write.
"Write as often as possible, not with the idea at once of getting into print, but as if you were learning an instrument."-- J B Priestley
Workshops, books and advisors can widen our knowledge of our craft but the writing itself is the only way to learn. Dang it! Here’s the good news: You will learn. Writing is like music in very special way. Just as you can’t possibly know what a note sounds like until you hear it, neither can you quite grasp the craft of writing until you do it yourself. Trust me on this, there will be epiphanies along the way, those ‘ah-hah!’ moments when you suddenly see in brilliant clarity How To accomplish the various aspects of writing. Just keep writing.
For some, the only way to know a story is by writing it. I’m one of those people. I’m not a pantser, per se. If I was, I’d gleefully pound those keys without worrying what’s going to happen next. A weird hybrid between pantser and plotter, I struggle to piece together the outline while I’m writing my book. It’s what works for me. By the end of the book the theme becomes more apparent and it’s then I can go back and rewrite, revise and shape my book to suit the vision that I just now fully grasp.
“The time to begin writing an article is when you have finished it to your satisfaction. By that time you begin to clearly and logically perceive what it is you really want to say.” ~Mark Twain
Advice is abundant in the writing world yet one thing will always be true. You must discover your own path. If you let yourself believe that the way another author pens a story is The Way, you could end up banging your head against the keyboard. Writing essays is something that flows easily for me. Yet with books I take more time. Until the story is there, my progress is slow. Writing a book in a month wouldn’t work for me. When I try I just draw a blank because the story isn’t yet there. I could beat myself up (always a tempting option) or I could let myself develop as a writer. Which process do you think has borne more fruit?
"Write quickly and you will never write well. Write well, and you will soon write quickly." -Marcus Fabius Quintilianus
Forge your own path. Discover what works for you. Be inspired by others but let go the need to fit into another’s box. Not only is it confining but the time you spend trying to conform could have been spent writing. *grin*
"I admire anybody who has the guts to write anything at all." -E.B. White
If you’re feeling stuck, take a break. Walk around the block or do a load of laundry. Step into the sunshine or dance around the kitchen to a favorite tune. Put a definite time limit on your “inspiration break” and then return to your writing. Creating stories takes effort and the temptation to avoid it can be overwhelming. If the story or scene isn’t there, write in your journal or pull up a “free-write” document and type out the dilemma. The key here is to Keep Writing. Don’t let yourself believe in an “out” or trust me, you’ll take it. *laughs* Procrastination is like chocolate. Delicious but best enjoyed in small doses.
Why do authors write? Because they have stories to tell. Maybe your story is complete or maybe it will come together sentence by sentence. Yet one thing remains clear, all authors write their books one word at a time. The best advice in the world boils down to this, if you want to be a successful author, Write. Only by writing can your story be heard.
“Writing is a struggle against silence.” ~Carlos Fuentes
Here’s to another productive week! I’m up to page 230 on my edits. 86 pages this week! My editor’s comments are illuminating (in a painful yet liberating way) and as a result, I’m learning more than ever before. I love being a writer!
My goals:
At least fifty pages of edits (I’m shooting for more).
My weekly essay.
Expanding short story idea.
How about you? Any goals to share?
Let’s get busy! Write-write-WRITE. Go-go-GO!!
Smiles,
Chiron O’Keefe
http://www.chironokeefe.blogspot.com/
Monday, February 16, 2009
All You Need Is Love
Nothing you can do that can’t be done.
Nothing you can sing that can’t be sung.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time.
It’s easy…
All You Need Is Love.
Nothing you can sing that can’t be sung.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time.
It’s easy…
All You Need Is Love.
–John Lennon
Being a writer requires us to incorporate many character traits. Persistence, patience, enthusiasm, and dedication are just a few. Rarely though, do we consider one of the most vital of all qualities.
Love.
As I’m writing this in the light of the most romantic of holidays, Valentine’s Day, what better time to explore this most elusive and yet vulnerable quality of being?
For many a romance writer, love is the stuff dreams are made of. Deep down most people yearn for a happily-ever-after, and heartfelt stories satisfy that craving. So how does this apply to writers and even people in general?
Love is the most essential quality of life. Whether it’s applied to our tastes (I love grapes) or yearnings (I love to travel), love is part of our everyday world. Yet often we push ourselves so much we’re barely getting by. Commitments, responsibilities, obligations, and worries, all suck up our precious moments and challenge our ability to maintain a semblance of balance. For writers, there’s deadlines and queries, edits and of course, the dreaded synopsis, all necessary aspects of our career which can leave us wrung out and feeling more despair than hope.
The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread. --Mother Teresa
For couples, it’s natural to utilize counseling and for parents, endless advice exists on how to maintain a loving bond. However each of us needs a solid relationship with the person we must live with every day of our lives—Our Self.
"You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." –Buddha
It’s so easy to encourage others, to offer up words of cheer and support, yet when we look in the mirror, we avert our eyes. We may grumble about our bodies or compare ourselves unfavorably to others. We bemoan every miniscule error and seize each mistake as proof of our general unworthiness. The real question here is, would we do this to a friend? For most of us the answer is a resounding No! Of course, we wouldn’t. Which leads to this question, when we did stop being our own best friend?
It's me who is my enemy
Me who beats me up
Me who makes the monsters
Me who strips my confidence.
~Paula Cole, "Me," This Fire
“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” –Lucille Ball
Here’s an exercise I encourage everyone to try. Go to a mirror and say the three magic words. I Love You. Say it and mean it! Gaze into your eyes and connect with your soul. Some may feel an initial resistance. The self-criticisms that have for years fallen automatically from our lips might crowd in. Be patient with your heart. For many of us, the lonely vessel has taken a beating over the years. Focus on YOU and say it again.
I Love You.
There’s a special rush of exhilaration as the words sink in. Sometimes even tears well up. Let them. This is your precious moment with your true self. The first step. Take a moment to thank your wonderful legs for walking and those incredible arms for lifting and carrying. *smile* Now, one uncomfortable moment arises when those self-criticisms intrude, spitefully pointing out all the mistakes we inevitably make. Here’s the next step. Focus on your reflection and say:
I Love You No Matter What. I Forgive All Your Mistakes. I Love You.
“I must learn to love the fool in me the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries.” –Theodore Rubin from Love me, Love My Fool, 1976
Love, love, LOVE. It makes the world go ‘round, after all. *grin* Let’s direct our affection to all the positive things we wish to embrace and wish to be.
I Love ME. I Love Being A Successful Writer. I Love Being Productive. I Love Achieving My Goals. I Love My Book!
A funny thing happens when we frame our thoughts in a network of love. A sparkly, glowing light infuses our brain. This isn’t just speculation. Research has proved that love triggers different regions in our cerebral cortex. Scans actually do “light up” and chemicals triggering euphoria are released. Love is a potent tool and by Jove, let’s utilize it.
“Birds do it, Bees do it, even Educated Fleas do it. Let’s do it, Let’s fall in love!” –Cole Porter
This week, our focus is to enrich not only our writing but our lives with the power of love. For the next seven days, let’s do our mirror exercise. We’ll reinforce our self-love activity with positive Love statements. No matter what the task, we can approach it with the spirit of love. Maybe it’s silly, *laughs* so let’s embrace silly! Let’s be giddy and goofy and exuberant. I Love to Write! I Love Me!
“What can we gain by sailing to the moon if we are not able to cross the abyss that separates us from ourselves?” –Thomas Merton, The Wisdom of the Desert, 1960
The power of love is miraculous. Inscribed on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi are these words: Know Thyself. I’m going to add: Love Thyself.
With self-love, we can accomplish anything. We can climb any mountain, overcome any obstacle. Of course, we still need persistence, patience, enthusiasm and dedication. *wink* However, when we infuse our lives with love, an amazing energy bubbles up. Where before we felt grim, now our hearts are light. The weight of despair dissipates and a new hope buoys us up.
“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” –Lucille Ball
Here’s an exercise I encourage everyone to try. Go to a mirror and say the three magic words. I Love You. Say it and mean it! Gaze into your eyes and connect with your soul. Some may feel an initial resistance. The self-criticisms that have for years fallen automatically from our lips might crowd in. Be patient with your heart. For many of us, the lonely vessel has taken a beating over the years. Focus on YOU and say it again.
I Love You.
There’s a special rush of exhilaration as the words sink in. Sometimes even tears well up. Let them. This is your precious moment with your true self. The first step. Take a moment to thank your wonderful legs for walking and those incredible arms for lifting and carrying. *smile* Now, one uncomfortable moment arises when those self-criticisms intrude, spitefully pointing out all the mistakes we inevitably make. Here’s the next step. Focus on your reflection and say:
I Love You No Matter What. I Forgive All Your Mistakes. I Love You.
“I must learn to love the fool in me the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries.” –Theodore Rubin from Love me, Love My Fool, 1976
Love, love, LOVE. It makes the world go ‘round, after all. *grin* Let’s direct our affection to all the positive things we wish to embrace and wish to be.
I Love ME. I Love Being A Successful Writer. I Love Being Productive. I Love Achieving My Goals. I Love My Book!
A funny thing happens when we frame our thoughts in a network of love. A sparkly, glowing light infuses our brain. This isn’t just speculation. Research has proved that love triggers different regions in our cerebral cortex. Scans actually do “light up” and chemicals triggering euphoria are released. Love is a potent tool and by Jove, let’s utilize it.
“Birds do it, Bees do it, even Educated Fleas do it. Let’s do it, Let’s fall in love!” –Cole Porter
This week, our focus is to enrich not only our writing but our lives with the power of love. For the next seven days, let’s do our mirror exercise. We’ll reinforce our self-love activity with positive Love statements. No matter what the task, we can approach it with the spirit of love. Maybe it’s silly, *laughs* so let’s embrace silly! Let’s be giddy and goofy and exuberant. I Love to Write! I Love Me!
“What can we gain by sailing to the moon if we are not able to cross the abyss that separates us from ourselves?” –Thomas Merton, The Wisdom of the Desert, 1960
The power of love is miraculous. Inscribed on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi are these words: Know Thyself. I’m going to add: Love Thyself.
With self-love, we can accomplish anything. We can climb any mountain, overcome any obstacle. Of course, we still need persistence, patience, enthusiasm and dedication. *wink* However, when we infuse our lives with love, an amazing energy bubbles up. Where before we felt grim, now our hearts are light. The weight of despair dissipates and a new hope buoys us up.
The smile you offer to your Self in the mirror is reflected back. It becomes easier to smile at others and to feel everlasting confidence. We all need to be our own best friend.
"I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence but it comes from within. It is there all the time." --Anna Freud
My goals for the week:
I love doing edits for Sidekicks.
I love fleshing out the story and characters of my WIP.
I love doing my physical therapy exercises.
I love writing my weekly essay.
I Love Me!!
How’s about you?
Two more quotes, just because... *smile*
Happy Valentine’s Day!
“Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.” ~Peter Ustinov
“Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame.” ~Henry David Thoreau
Smiles to you all,
Monday, February 9, 2009
Act As If...
"Act as if everything you desire is already here…treat yourself as if you already are what you’d like to become.” –Wayne Dyer.
What does it mean to be a success? How is such a phenomenon measured?
Here is my definition:
To push just a little bit harder, to strive just a little bit longer, and to reach just a little bit farther than you first thought possible.
That's it. Every accomplishment seems daunting at first. Tying your shoes seemed impossible when your itsy-bitsy brain first contemplated the tangle of strings in your chubby little fingers. *grin*
Yet for the most part, we forget the secret of success and become overwhelmed by what we THINK we can't do. We're forgetting two very simple facts. We learn through visualization. We are motivated by our desires.
"If you want a quality, act as if you had it." –William James
Returning now to our toddler self with the daunting task of tying a shoe. How did this get accomplished? Someone showed us the magic method and we Pictured Our Success. Yup. We visualized the process. We put a picture in our head and mimicked the action. Even more, we had a burning desire to succeed. Nothing would deter us. We never even considered the idea of failure. Right?
Now (theoretically) we're all grown-up. We're struggling with queries and deadlines and synopsis and rewrites and plot points and Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh, My!
Sometimes the process is overwhelming and we're all tempted to give up. How DO people manage to tie their shoes without even thinking about it? The secret of success in our youth is the same secret today. Whether struggling to stand upright, wobble our way across the room, and tie our shoes, or write a chapter, send out queries, and meet our deadlines, we begin with desire.
"Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything." –Napoleon Hill
Not a wimpy-ass desire either. Your heart has to beat with the same kind of fervent passion that motivated you to get off your butt and toddle in the first place. Want it, feel it, breathe it!
I Am A Successful WRITER!
Desire and Visualization.
Visualization is more than mumbling a few affirmations. We're not tossing salt to ward off bad luck here. We're using the power of our minds to create reality.
"Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop the picture... Do not build up obstacles in your imagination." –Norman Vincent Peale
This may seem like mumbo-jumbo but here's a fact. The most successful people in history have known and utilized this fact: What you Believe is What you Create.
And more… If you want to Be A Success, Act Like A Success.
Don't play the "if only" game. If only I had a contract (or an agent or a guaranteed path) THEN I would…
Nuh-uh. Don't go there. Act As If You Are A Success. That's the secret successful people have utilized for eons.
"Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action." –Napoleon Hill
Put your plan into action NOW. Why? Because You Are A Success. The sooner you act like a success, the sooner your reality will reflect this FACT.
So… this week, let's experiment. Let's spend the week approaching each of our goals with a new perspective. We write not because we hope to be or want to be but because We Are Successful.
We Are Successful Writers.
Say it with me: I Am A Successful Writer. My Life Reflects My Success. My Actions Reflect My Success. I Take Action BECAUSE I Am A Success.
"Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all." –Norman Vincent Peale
And one more:
"Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements." –Napoleon Hill
Let's set some goals!
Continue first round of SIDEKICKS edits. 65 pages last week!
Continue to flesh out WIP. Three chapters last week!
Weekly essay to post.
Now it's your turn. Any goals to share? How about personal experiences acting "as if"?
"Act as if. Moment to moment to moment. And, sooner than you think you won't be acting anymore." –Wayne Dyer
Have a fabulous and productive week! Go-go-GO!
Smiles to you,
--Chiron
What does it mean to be a success? How is such a phenomenon measured?
Here is my definition:
To push just a little bit harder, to strive just a little bit longer, and to reach just a little bit farther than you first thought possible.
That's it. Every accomplishment seems daunting at first. Tying your shoes seemed impossible when your itsy-bitsy brain first contemplated the tangle of strings in your chubby little fingers. *grin*
Yet for the most part, we forget the secret of success and become overwhelmed by what we THINK we can't do. We're forgetting two very simple facts. We learn through visualization. We are motivated by our desires.
"If you want a quality, act as if you had it." –William James
Returning now to our toddler self with the daunting task of tying a shoe. How did this get accomplished? Someone showed us the magic method and we Pictured Our Success. Yup. We visualized the process. We put a picture in our head and mimicked the action. Even more, we had a burning desire to succeed. Nothing would deter us. We never even considered the idea of failure. Right?
Now (theoretically) we're all grown-up. We're struggling with queries and deadlines and synopsis and rewrites and plot points and Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh, My!
Sometimes the process is overwhelming and we're all tempted to give up. How DO people manage to tie their shoes without even thinking about it? The secret of success in our youth is the same secret today. Whether struggling to stand upright, wobble our way across the room, and tie our shoes, or write a chapter, send out queries, and meet our deadlines, we begin with desire.
"Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything." –Napoleon Hill
Not a wimpy-ass desire either. Your heart has to beat with the same kind of fervent passion that motivated you to get off your butt and toddle in the first place. Want it, feel it, breathe it!
I Am A Successful WRITER!
Desire and Visualization.
Visualization is more than mumbling a few affirmations. We're not tossing salt to ward off bad luck here. We're using the power of our minds to create reality.
"Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop the picture... Do not build up obstacles in your imagination." –Norman Vincent Peale
This may seem like mumbo-jumbo but here's a fact. The most successful people in history have known and utilized this fact: What you Believe is What you Create.
And more… If you want to Be A Success, Act Like A Success.
Don't play the "if only" game. If only I had a contract (or an agent or a guaranteed path) THEN I would…
Nuh-uh. Don't go there. Act As If You Are A Success. That's the secret successful people have utilized for eons.
"Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action." –Napoleon Hill
Put your plan into action NOW. Why? Because You Are A Success. The sooner you act like a success, the sooner your reality will reflect this FACT.
So… this week, let's experiment. Let's spend the week approaching each of our goals with a new perspective. We write not because we hope to be or want to be but because We Are Successful.
We Are Successful Writers.
Say it with me: I Am A Successful Writer. My Life Reflects My Success. My Actions Reflect My Success. I Take Action BECAUSE I Am A Success.
"Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all." –Norman Vincent Peale
And one more:
"Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements." –Napoleon Hill
Let's set some goals!
Continue first round of SIDEKICKS edits. 65 pages last week!
Continue to flesh out WIP. Three chapters last week!
Weekly essay to post.
Now it's your turn. Any goals to share? How about personal experiences acting "as if"?
"Act as if. Moment to moment to moment. And, sooner than you think you won't be acting anymore." –Wayne Dyer
Have a fabulous and productive week! Go-go-GO!
Smiles to you,
--Chiron
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Learning the Breaststroke… Over the Internet
“It is better to write a bad first draft than to write no first draft at all.” --Will Shetterly
Being a writer is all about taking risks. Every book about the craft will tell you and every experienced author will agree, you have to push beyond your limits. While this is sound advice, it can also be rather daunting. We may wonder, “Does this mean I should write historical when I’m drawn to science-fiction? Must I write hot when I prefer sweet?”
The answer is not so simple. Yes, we should challenge ourselves by stepping outside our comfort zone if for no other reason to explore the other aspects of our writing selves. No, we don’t need to twist up our creative self into a pretzel shape based on market or the advice of others.
In reality, every page we type is a risk. Every idea we explore is a challenge. Who hasn’t experienced a tremor of unease which we translate quickly into Writer’s Block? Often the truth is simply that we’re nudging up against our unspoken fear. The Fear That Dare Not Be Named is this: What if my writing sucks?
“You never learn how to write a novel. You just learn how to write the novel that you're writing.” --Gene Wolfe
The more we write, the more we learn how to write. As we write our first novel we grow. Eventually we master POV and catchy hooks and dramatic cliff-hangers, a fabulous progression of events which often leads to the unfortunate notion that the fear will disappear completely. The good news is for some writers that will be the case. *smile* However, the percentage is small. Most of us struggle and whine and sigh and finally beat that damn fear into submission.
How? By writing. By writing a page even when our inspiration dwindles. By pushing to finish a chapter even if we’re certain our prose is stale. By finishing our first draft despite our inner critic who whispers that a REAL writer’s work is perfect from the get-go!
Let’s collectively roll our eyes and snort. *grin*
“You sit down and you do it, and you do it, and you do it, until you have learned to do it.” --Ursula K. LeGuin
Writers learn by writing. The mental acuity required to pen a story and polish it until it gleams is not something you learn by reading craft books. Some of the insights contained in craft books or in workshops conducted by bestselling authors will open your eyes. They may give you a new perspective which will enhance your story a thousand-fold. Those books and classes can educate you to the point where you’ll be capable of opening your own school.
But they can’t teach you how to write. Only you can do that by writing. All writers are self-taught.
“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” --Alice Walker
I’m a huge fan of The Big Bang Theory on CBS. In one episode, Sheldon (a nerdy genius with off-the-charts IQ) decides he wants to befriend a fellow scientist in order to gain access to the Open Science Grid Computer. His roommate Leonard tries to explain that he can’t approach making new friends the same way he learned how to swim… over the internet. Hilarious! The idea of someone learning how to swim without jumping into water is insane!
Uh-oh. *grin* This strikes a chord. How many of us have attempted the same thing?
The way we learn to write is by writing. By occasionally composing delightful, engaging, brilliant passages along with a whole lot of crap. *heh-heh*
“If you don't allow yourself the possibility of writing something very, very bad, it would be hard to write something very good.” --Steven Galloway
So, here’s the low-down. Boot up the computer or grab your pad of paper. Write. Get your story down. If you’re bogged down because you’ve written yourself in a corner, pull up a new document and vent. Spew out any and all ideas until one grabs you and doesn’t let go. Your intellect may encourage you to be cautious. Kick that caution to the curb. Write.
"If we listened to our intellect, we'd never have a love affair. We'd never have a friendship. We'd never go into business, because we'd be too cynical. Well, that's nonsense. You've got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down." --Annie Dillard
If you love your idea, let go of the absurd notion of a perfect first draft. Or second. Or third. You have to marry your plot and see it through… for better or for worse. Cozy up close because you’ll be sleeping with and dreaming of your tale until the breath-taking moment of completion. Stick to it. Write. Rewrite. Make the story your own.
“Books aren't written, they're rewritten. Including your own. It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn't quite done it...” --Michael Crichton
Here’s the best news of all. As you progress to your second, third, fourth, fifth book, a marvelous insight will blaze.
You’re getting better all the time.
Each book will reflect your progress. Here’s a secret that authors can only discover after they’ve written a few books. You learn more after three books than you do after three rewrites. Which is why one piece of advice pops up more than most. Write Your Next Book. If your book isn’t being snatched up, set it aside and write your next one. And your next one.
My last women’s fiction didn’t garner the attention I was absolutely certain it deserved. *smile* I shelved it while I pursued my fourth book. 65,000 words into my WIP, my last book got picked up. After keeling over in shock, I applied myself to the diligent task of giving it a read-through and doing any necessary clean-up. Here’s what I found.
TONS of mistakes. The book I’d pored over and pronounced perfect after endless revisions now revealed glaring holes and leaky prose. The simple truth is, I learned so much by writing my next book, my perspective had changed. The term, “Looking at it with new eyes” took on greater meaning. Trust me, this is not opinion, this is fact. You Will Grow As A Writer.
“You should never be ashamed to admit you have been wrong. It only proves you are wiser today than yesterday.” --Jonathan Swift
It’s all good. *smile* If you feel frustrated, relax, you’re a writer. If you feel fear, relax, you’re a writer. If you worry that your book isn’t perfect, Relax, You’re A Writer. You’re not alone. You will get through the endless drafts. You will finish one book and begin another. You will find an audience. You will succeed. Just keep writing.
“I have never thought of myself as a good writer. Anyone who wants reassurance of that should read one of my first drafts. But I'm one of the world's great rewriters.” --James A. Michener
Jump on in… The water’s fine. *smile*
Ready to start a new week? Let’s go! Write-write-WRITE! Go-go-GO!!
Smiles,
Chiron O'Keefe
Being a writer is all about taking risks. Every book about the craft will tell you and every experienced author will agree, you have to push beyond your limits. While this is sound advice, it can also be rather daunting. We may wonder, “Does this mean I should write historical when I’m drawn to science-fiction? Must I write hot when I prefer sweet?”
The answer is not so simple. Yes, we should challenge ourselves by stepping outside our comfort zone if for no other reason to explore the other aspects of our writing selves. No, we don’t need to twist up our creative self into a pretzel shape based on market or the advice of others.
In reality, every page we type is a risk. Every idea we explore is a challenge. Who hasn’t experienced a tremor of unease which we translate quickly into Writer’s Block? Often the truth is simply that we’re nudging up against our unspoken fear. The Fear That Dare Not Be Named is this: What if my writing sucks?
“You never learn how to write a novel. You just learn how to write the novel that you're writing.” --Gene Wolfe
The more we write, the more we learn how to write. As we write our first novel we grow. Eventually we master POV and catchy hooks and dramatic cliff-hangers, a fabulous progression of events which often leads to the unfortunate notion that the fear will disappear completely. The good news is for some writers that will be the case. *smile* However, the percentage is small. Most of us struggle and whine and sigh and finally beat that damn fear into submission.
How? By writing. By writing a page even when our inspiration dwindles. By pushing to finish a chapter even if we’re certain our prose is stale. By finishing our first draft despite our inner critic who whispers that a REAL writer’s work is perfect from the get-go!
Let’s collectively roll our eyes and snort. *grin*
“You sit down and you do it, and you do it, and you do it, until you have learned to do it.” --Ursula K. LeGuin
Writers learn by writing. The mental acuity required to pen a story and polish it until it gleams is not something you learn by reading craft books. Some of the insights contained in craft books or in workshops conducted by bestselling authors will open your eyes. They may give you a new perspective which will enhance your story a thousand-fold. Those books and classes can educate you to the point where you’ll be capable of opening your own school.
But they can’t teach you how to write. Only you can do that by writing. All writers are self-taught.
“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” --Alice Walker
I’m a huge fan of The Big Bang Theory on CBS. In one episode, Sheldon (a nerdy genius with off-the-charts IQ) decides he wants to befriend a fellow scientist in order to gain access to the Open Science Grid Computer. His roommate Leonard tries to explain that he can’t approach making new friends the same way he learned how to swim… over the internet. Hilarious! The idea of someone learning how to swim without jumping into water is insane!
Uh-oh. *grin* This strikes a chord. How many of us have attempted the same thing?
The way we learn to write is by writing. By occasionally composing delightful, engaging, brilliant passages along with a whole lot of crap. *heh-heh*
“If you don't allow yourself the possibility of writing something very, very bad, it would be hard to write something very good.” --Steven Galloway
So, here’s the low-down. Boot up the computer or grab your pad of paper. Write. Get your story down. If you’re bogged down because you’ve written yourself in a corner, pull up a new document and vent. Spew out any and all ideas until one grabs you and doesn’t let go. Your intellect may encourage you to be cautious. Kick that caution to the curb. Write.
"If we listened to our intellect, we'd never have a love affair. We'd never have a friendship. We'd never go into business, because we'd be too cynical. Well, that's nonsense. You've got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down." --Annie Dillard
If you love your idea, let go of the absurd notion of a perfect first draft. Or second. Or third. You have to marry your plot and see it through… for better or for worse. Cozy up close because you’ll be sleeping with and dreaming of your tale until the breath-taking moment of completion. Stick to it. Write. Rewrite. Make the story your own.
“Books aren't written, they're rewritten. Including your own. It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn't quite done it...” --Michael Crichton
Here’s the best news of all. As you progress to your second, third, fourth, fifth book, a marvelous insight will blaze.
You’re getting better all the time.
Each book will reflect your progress. Here’s a secret that authors can only discover after they’ve written a few books. You learn more after three books than you do after three rewrites. Which is why one piece of advice pops up more than most. Write Your Next Book. If your book isn’t being snatched up, set it aside and write your next one. And your next one.
My last women’s fiction didn’t garner the attention I was absolutely certain it deserved. *smile* I shelved it while I pursued my fourth book. 65,000 words into my WIP, my last book got picked up. After keeling over in shock, I applied myself to the diligent task of giving it a read-through and doing any necessary clean-up. Here’s what I found.
TONS of mistakes. The book I’d pored over and pronounced perfect after endless revisions now revealed glaring holes and leaky prose. The simple truth is, I learned so much by writing my next book, my perspective had changed. The term, “Looking at it with new eyes” took on greater meaning. Trust me, this is not opinion, this is fact. You Will Grow As A Writer.
“You should never be ashamed to admit you have been wrong. It only proves you are wiser today than yesterday.” --Jonathan Swift
It’s all good. *smile* If you feel frustrated, relax, you’re a writer. If you feel fear, relax, you’re a writer. If you worry that your book isn’t perfect, Relax, You’re A Writer. You’re not alone. You will get through the endless drafts. You will finish one book and begin another. You will find an audience. You will succeed. Just keep writing.
“I have never thought of myself as a good writer. Anyone who wants reassurance of that should read one of my first drafts. But I'm one of the world's great rewriters.” --James A. Michener
Jump on in… The water’s fine. *smile*
Ready to start a new week? Let’s go! Write-write-WRITE! Go-go-GO!!
Smiles,
Chiron O'Keefe
Sunday, January 25, 2009
If I Only Had a Brain…
“If I only had a brain…” sung by The Scarecrow, from the movie The Wizard of Oz, original story by L. Frank Baum
Today I woke up with brain fog. It’s those lovely hormonal shifts that leave me drained and sleepy. The urge to consume too much caffeine (leading to headaches and trembling limbs) strikes and my ability to focus dwindles. If there were ever a day when I could avoid writing, this is it.
And naturally, I can’t.
My manuscript is due to the editor tomorrow and there are a few chapters left to read and revise. My essay is due to be posted today so despite the urge to crawl back under the covers, I’m pounding the keys. What to do when the outside world or inner dilemmas interfere?
There’s only one solution. Keep writing. It may not seem like much at first, but as you venture forward on your quest, the answers will appear. Better to write five pages and toss out four, then write no pages at all.
“The road to the Emerald City is paved with yellow brick.” --L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
We yearn to venture into the magic glittering world of our imagination. How many times have I stared at my blank computer screen, wondering how other writers come up with such amazing tales. Yet no matter how much I wish I were a wonderful wizard, seems that my job description is more like a brick-layer. *grin* One brick… er… word at a time is how I write. No wave of my hand nor magical incantations has produced a single page.
Dang it.
Writing takes time, work, and focus. However, the magic is there. While sometimes it feels as if I’m plodding along, laying those bricks and worrying that my prose is boring and mundane, the magic is snuggled deep within the words. Often, when I go back over the previous day’s work I’m astounded and pleased. How can this be? Where did this writing come from? It’s as if a wizard snuck in while I was busy working on the road. How cool is that?
Even those days when I pore over the words written previously and despair over my tendency to use the same word three times in one paragraph, *snort* I have a distinct advantage over those who don’t write. Those bricks are laid out, and now with a bit of rearranging, a substitution here and there, and voila! I’m back on track to the Emerald City.
“I can’t give you a brain, but I can give you a diploma.” --L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
In the movie version from which the above quote is plucked, the Wizard admits to the Scarecrow that he has no magic. Nothing more than a stage magician who landed in a magical world, the Wizard realizes two things.
One, he alone is “mundane” while those around him possess a magic he can only dream of. More importantly, the truest magic lies within our beliefs. By offering the Scarecrow a diploma, he gives the straw-man an opportunity to believe in his ability to think. Pretty cool, eh?
Writers often feel despair, trapped within a land where others seem to work magic. Yet we too have the same power the Wonderful Wizard holds. We can have the opportunity to make others believe in our magical powers, and it all starts with the belief in our ability to create wondrous worlds.
“Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.” --L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Optimism is our guiding light. As Daniel Reardon says, “In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip.” So, if you have your own version of Brain Fog, whether because the outside world is encroaching or your inner world is crumbling, remember to keep breathing.
Breathe in Hope and release fear…
Today I felt so befuddled, I seriously doubted my ability to compose a coherent sentence. Searching through past essays, and considering whether a “re-run” would be necessary, my eyes spied one titled, “Just Do It.” Hmmm… I considered my past advice while preparing a second cup of tea.
Immediately, the sing-song voice of the movie version of the Scarecrow popped into my head. I rushed back to my computer and typed in the beginning of this essay.
“I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” --L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
So here’s our focus for the week:
Just do it (even on those days when we don’t have a brain).
Remember… Our reality reflects our beliefs—We Are Writers!
Keep breathing through the fear.
Listen to your heart, have the courage of a lion, and somehow, someway, you’ll find your own magic…
Let’s set some goals!
I’m wrapping up my last edits before I turn in my manuscript to my editor. *happy dance* Then I have four goals. My bio and blurb for my October release. Pull up my current WIP and get in at least ten new pages. Begin re-read of previous book to consider possible revision and submittal. And of course, my weekly essay.
Goals:
Bio and blurb.
Ten Pages.
Begin Re-read.
New Essay.
How’s about you?
Let’s get writing!
Smiles,
Chiron O’Keefe
Writing Motivation. A new essay every week.
Today I woke up with brain fog. It’s those lovely hormonal shifts that leave me drained and sleepy. The urge to consume too much caffeine (leading to headaches and trembling limbs) strikes and my ability to focus dwindles. If there were ever a day when I could avoid writing, this is it.
And naturally, I can’t.
My manuscript is due to the editor tomorrow and there are a few chapters left to read and revise. My essay is due to be posted today so despite the urge to crawl back under the covers, I’m pounding the keys. What to do when the outside world or inner dilemmas interfere?
There’s only one solution. Keep writing. It may not seem like much at first, but as you venture forward on your quest, the answers will appear. Better to write five pages and toss out four, then write no pages at all.
“The road to the Emerald City is paved with yellow brick.” --L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
We yearn to venture into the magic glittering world of our imagination. How many times have I stared at my blank computer screen, wondering how other writers come up with such amazing tales. Yet no matter how much I wish I were a wonderful wizard, seems that my job description is more like a brick-layer. *grin* One brick… er… word at a time is how I write. No wave of my hand nor magical incantations has produced a single page.
Dang it.
Writing takes time, work, and focus. However, the magic is there. While sometimes it feels as if I’m plodding along, laying those bricks and worrying that my prose is boring and mundane, the magic is snuggled deep within the words. Often, when I go back over the previous day’s work I’m astounded and pleased. How can this be? Where did this writing come from? It’s as if a wizard snuck in while I was busy working on the road. How cool is that?
Even those days when I pore over the words written previously and despair over my tendency to use the same word three times in one paragraph, *snort* I have a distinct advantage over those who don’t write. Those bricks are laid out, and now with a bit of rearranging, a substitution here and there, and voila! I’m back on track to the Emerald City.
“I can’t give you a brain, but I can give you a diploma.” --L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
In the movie version from which the above quote is plucked, the Wizard admits to the Scarecrow that he has no magic. Nothing more than a stage magician who landed in a magical world, the Wizard realizes two things.
One, he alone is “mundane” while those around him possess a magic he can only dream of. More importantly, the truest magic lies within our beliefs. By offering the Scarecrow a diploma, he gives the straw-man an opportunity to believe in his ability to think. Pretty cool, eh?
Writers often feel despair, trapped within a land where others seem to work magic. Yet we too have the same power the Wonderful Wizard holds. We can have the opportunity to make others believe in our magical powers, and it all starts with the belief in our ability to create wondrous worlds.
“Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.” --L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Optimism is our guiding light. As Daniel Reardon says, “In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip.” So, if you have your own version of Brain Fog, whether because the outside world is encroaching or your inner world is crumbling, remember to keep breathing.
Breathe in Hope and release fear…
Today I felt so befuddled, I seriously doubted my ability to compose a coherent sentence. Searching through past essays, and considering whether a “re-run” would be necessary, my eyes spied one titled, “Just Do It.” Hmmm… I considered my past advice while preparing a second cup of tea.
Immediately, the sing-song voice of the movie version of the Scarecrow popped into my head. I rushed back to my computer and typed in the beginning of this essay.
“I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” --L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
So here’s our focus for the week:
Just do it (even on those days when we don’t have a brain).
Remember… Our reality reflects our beliefs—We Are Writers!
Keep breathing through the fear.
Listen to your heart, have the courage of a lion, and somehow, someway, you’ll find your own magic…
Let’s set some goals!
I’m wrapping up my last edits before I turn in my manuscript to my editor. *happy dance* Then I have four goals. My bio and blurb for my October release. Pull up my current WIP and get in at least ten new pages. Begin re-read of previous book to consider possible revision and submittal. And of course, my weekly essay.
Goals:
Bio and blurb.
Ten Pages.
Begin Re-read.
New Essay.
How’s about you?
Let’s get writing!
Smiles,
Chiron O’Keefe
Writing Motivation. A new essay every week.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Tag, You're It!
A new game is a’foot. Tag favorite authors and list six things you love. Seems I’ve been tagged twice which gives us double the pleasure. *wink*
I’ve been tagged by both Linda LaRoque, and Tiffany James!
Rules are simple; Link to the person who has tagged you. Write down six things that make you happy. Post the rules, tag six others and let them know you did it. Then tell the person when your entry is complete.
Hmmmm… 12 things that make me happy. Fun!
1. Getting published. Last week I sold my fun and romantic women’s fiction, “Sidekicks Need Not Apply”! Woo-hoo! Definitely on my Happy list. *grin*
2. Being in love… After thirteen years, I’m happier than ever. Whether we’re playing music, watching television or exchanging smiles over a glass of wine, nothing makes me happier than spending time with my husband…
3. Playing music. I adore strumming chords and singing my favorite songs.
4. Dancing! Shake that booty, woman. *grin* Love to kick it up by myself or with my favorite chums.
5. Snuggling up with a great book. Ahhhhh… need I say more?
6. Writing. Whether I’m riding along with my latest heroine or focusing on a new motivation essay, there’s few thrills as intense as pounding the keys.
7. Soaking in the tub. Preferably with a good book. I’m with you there Tiffany!
8. My beautiful kitty, Dylan. That little purr-monster never fails to make me smile.
9. Going out to dinner. Someone else cooks and cleans and serves me wine. The good life!
10. Spring. Flowers burst into bloom, the touch of warmth, the sweet fragrance of cut grass…
11. Sitting by a lake watching the sunset. Something about the last rays shimmering on the water…
12. My friends. Whether on-line or in person, my friends are there for me. Giving me hugs and support or screaming with joy when I hit my mark. I love you all. Hope you know…
Now, for the list of 12 authors I adore… Drumroll, please! Tag, You’re It!
Misty Evans
Who is known to post at:
Five Scribes (thanks to K.L. Grady for the updated info)
Angela Guillaume
Wendi Darlin
Royal Blush Authors
Amber Leigh Williams
Jill James
Gillian Layne
Sandra Kay
Lynda Lampert
Donna Marie Rogers
Stacey Joy Netzel
I don't have blog addresses for Donna or Stacey (I'll add them when I can) but I love their writing so just had to include them here!
**update** Donna added her own list in the comment section!
I’ve been tagged by both Linda LaRoque, and Tiffany James!
Rules are simple; Link to the person who has tagged you. Write down six things that make you happy. Post the rules, tag six others and let them know you did it. Then tell the person when your entry is complete.
Hmmmm… 12 things that make me happy. Fun!
1. Getting published. Last week I sold my fun and romantic women’s fiction, “Sidekicks Need Not Apply”! Woo-hoo! Definitely on my Happy list. *grin*
2. Being in love… After thirteen years, I’m happier than ever. Whether we’re playing music, watching television or exchanging smiles over a glass of wine, nothing makes me happier than spending time with my husband…
3. Playing music. I adore strumming chords and singing my favorite songs.
4. Dancing! Shake that booty, woman. *grin* Love to kick it up by myself or with my favorite chums.
5. Snuggling up with a great book. Ahhhhh… need I say more?
6. Writing. Whether I’m riding along with my latest heroine or focusing on a new motivation essay, there’s few thrills as intense as pounding the keys.
7. Soaking in the tub. Preferably with a good book. I’m with you there Tiffany!
8. My beautiful kitty, Dylan. That little purr-monster never fails to make me smile.
9. Going out to dinner. Someone else cooks and cleans and serves me wine. The good life!
10. Spring. Flowers burst into bloom, the touch of warmth, the sweet fragrance of cut grass…
11. Sitting by a lake watching the sunset. Something about the last rays shimmering on the water…
12. My friends. Whether on-line or in person, my friends are there for me. Giving me hugs and support or screaming with joy when I hit my mark. I love you all. Hope you know…
Now, for the list of 12 authors I adore… Drumroll, please! Tag, You’re It!
Misty Evans
Who is known to post at:
Five Scribes (thanks to K.L. Grady for the updated info)
Angela Guillaume
Wendi Darlin
Royal Blush Authors
Amber Leigh Williams
Jill James
Gillian Layne
Sandra Kay
Lynda Lampert
Donna Marie Rogers
Stacey Joy Netzel
I don't have blog addresses for Donna or Stacey (I'll add them when I can) but I love their writing so just had to include them here!
**update** Donna added her own list in the comment section!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Perseverance. Without it, passion is never enough…
“You cannot always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside.” --Dr. Wayne Dyer.
Perseverance is a word that stumbles on the tongue. It’s not at all like the word Passion. Passion sounds juicy and gorgeous and bursting with flavor. Passion. Yum. *smile*
Writers imagine the process of composing is simply a matter of the right amount of passion. As if each story dangles like ripe fruit just yonder out of reach. Snap it off the branch and there you go!
The desire to carve a story out of thin air is certainly our greatest motivation. Passion moves us to reach beyond the known and imbues us with the courage to venture into the dark landscape of our imagination. However it’s the less attractive relative—the one with the heavy backpack and sturdy walking shoes—who is more likely to successfully traverse that rocky path.
Perseverance.
Without it, passion is never enough…
“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” –Eddie Robinson
When the clouds of winter finally roll back from the sky and the delicate warmth of spring trickles in, the urge to plant seizes me. Oh, how I love to stroll among the potted flowers, inspecting each tag and imagining how the fragrant blossoms will color my back deck. I diligently purchase fertilizer and potting soil and browse the new array of containers. Ah, yes. My enthusiasm starts to wane after the first few hours of potting. *snort* My back aches from bending over and the multitude of plastic containers I purchased now strikes me as overkill. The initial passion fades and there’s only one thing that keeps me going. Perseverance. Especially because I often change my mind as to Which Plant Goes Where, forcing me to start over until I’m ready to scream. *rueful grin*
“Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist but the ability to start over.” --F. Scott Fitzgerald
With every story, the initial concept may change as the pages pile up. The work is endless and like the wary gardener, the realization that some portions of our budding tale might need to be yanked out can freeze us in our tracks. We become paralyzed with our need for perfection. Our need to be on the Right Track can lead to us riding the brakes. Let me assure you, every writer experiences that same fear. What if we get up to chapter 13 only to discover that the last few chapters aren’t what we envisioned at all?
Persevere.
Our ability to write depends on our willingness to put in the time and to let ourselves make mistakes. Ever watch a toddler learning how to toddle? Falling down is inevitable. Getting up again is a choice.
“Practice, practice, practice writing. Writing is a craft that requires both talent and acquired skills. You learn by doing, by making mistakes and then seeing where you went wrong.” --Jeffrey A. Carver
When the seed of a story first appears in our mind, the fervor to capture that delicious tale can lead to a satisfying burst of activity. Yet at some point the magnitude of the task at hand overwhelms our enthusiasm. The realization that the seed might take months (or even years) to grow and bear fruit can be daunting.
“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another.” --Walter Elliott, The Spiritual Life
“Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.” --Earl Nightingale
The fact is all writers struggle to finish the books they start. And every single book you’ve ever read, enjoyed or admired was written one page at a time. Too often we judge ourselves because we measure our accomplishment with a critical eye. Yet each page is an accomplishment to celebrate. While it’s true that my back deck isn’t finished until all my flowers are potted in their respective containers, each plant stands alone. Every single page counts. As you read this essay, one or more quotes might just strike your fancy. *smile* Which shows how vital and significant every sentence can be.
“I see the notion of talent as quite irrelevant. I see instead perseverance, application, industry, assiduity, will, will, will, desire, desire, desire.” --Gordon Lish
We must stay true to our vision. The only way to bring our passion to life is to buckle down and churn out one more sentence, one more paragraph, one more page…
“He conquers who endures.” –Persius
What’s truly heartbreaking is how the fear can not only slow our pace but also lead to a crippling dis-ease called Insecurity. We think to ourselves, Real writers don’t have this problem. If I was a truly talented author I’d be zipping through the pages without blinking an eye.
May I just say… “Hah!”
“With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable.” --Thomas Foxwell Buxton
The greatest minds out there achieve success not because they’re so freaking brilliant the stars blush trying to sparkle as brightly. No, ma-am. Not at all. Those who achieve lasting success are those who persevere. All books are written One Page At A Time.
“Look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before.” --Jacob A. Riis
The authors who get published, who find agents, who hit the bestseller list, all have one trait in common. Perseverance. They pushed until they typed The End. They polished and revised until the book was irresistible. They sent out queries until the Right Agent said, “Let’s Go!”
They kept writing and promoting their books until they reached that coveted dream. Just like you, just like me, they reached for the stars. And just like you, and just like me, they persevered. *smile* We Can Do It!
“Keep on going, and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I never heard of anyone ever stumbling on something sitting down.” --Charles F. Kettering
One sentence, one paragraph, one page at a time. We can do it. We WILL do it because (let’s say it together) We Are Writers!
And don’t forget:
“Keep in mind that the person to write for is yourself. Tell the story that you most desperately want to read.” –Susan Isaacs
Let’s support our perseverance with a visualization exercise. Remember, our subconscious works with our conscious mind to help us create the exact reality we desire. Take a moment to close your eyes and visualize the exact situation you yearn for. I’m typing The End! I’m getting “the call”! I can *see* my book on the bestseller list!
Remember, "Man is what he believes." --Anton Chekhov (1860 - 1904)
We Are Writers! Go-go-GO!
--Chiron O’Keefe
For Writing Motivation look for The Write Soul: http://www.chironokeefe.blogspot.com/
Perseverance is a word that stumbles on the tongue. It’s not at all like the word Passion. Passion sounds juicy and gorgeous and bursting with flavor. Passion. Yum. *smile*
Writers imagine the process of composing is simply a matter of the right amount of passion. As if each story dangles like ripe fruit just yonder out of reach. Snap it off the branch and there you go!
The desire to carve a story out of thin air is certainly our greatest motivation. Passion moves us to reach beyond the known and imbues us with the courage to venture into the dark landscape of our imagination. However it’s the less attractive relative—the one with the heavy backpack and sturdy walking shoes—who is more likely to successfully traverse that rocky path.
Perseverance.
Without it, passion is never enough…
“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” –Eddie Robinson
When the clouds of winter finally roll back from the sky and the delicate warmth of spring trickles in, the urge to plant seizes me. Oh, how I love to stroll among the potted flowers, inspecting each tag and imagining how the fragrant blossoms will color my back deck. I diligently purchase fertilizer and potting soil and browse the new array of containers. Ah, yes. My enthusiasm starts to wane after the first few hours of potting. *snort* My back aches from bending over and the multitude of plastic containers I purchased now strikes me as overkill. The initial passion fades and there’s only one thing that keeps me going. Perseverance. Especially because I often change my mind as to Which Plant Goes Where, forcing me to start over until I’m ready to scream. *rueful grin*
“Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist but the ability to start over.” --F. Scott Fitzgerald
With every story, the initial concept may change as the pages pile up. The work is endless and like the wary gardener, the realization that some portions of our budding tale might need to be yanked out can freeze us in our tracks. We become paralyzed with our need for perfection. Our need to be on the Right Track can lead to us riding the brakes. Let me assure you, every writer experiences that same fear. What if we get up to chapter 13 only to discover that the last few chapters aren’t what we envisioned at all?
Persevere.
Our ability to write depends on our willingness to put in the time and to let ourselves make mistakes. Ever watch a toddler learning how to toddle? Falling down is inevitable. Getting up again is a choice.
“Practice, practice, practice writing. Writing is a craft that requires both talent and acquired skills. You learn by doing, by making mistakes and then seeing where you went wrong.” --Jeffrey A. Carver
When the seed of a story first appears in our mind, the fervor to capture that delicious tale can lead to a satisfying burst of activity. Yet at some point the magnitude of the task at hand overwhelms our enthusiasm. The realization that the seed might take months (or even years) to grow and bear fruit can be daunting.
“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another.” --Walter Elliott, The Spiritual Life
“Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.” --Earl Nightingale
The fact is all writers struggle to finish the books they start. And every single book you’ve ever read, enjoyed or admired was written one page at a time. Too often we judge ourselves because we measure our accomplishment with a critical eye. Yet each page is an accomplishment to celebrate. While it’s true that my back deck isn’t finished until all my flowers are potted in their respective containers, each plant stands alone. Every single page counts. As you read this essay, one or more quotes might just strike your fancy. *smile* Which shows how vital and significant every sentence can be.
“I see the notion of talent as quite irrelevant. I see instead perseverance, application, industry, assiduity, will, will, will, desire, desire, desire.” --Gordon Lish
We must stay true to our vision. The only way to bring our passion to life is to buckle down and churn out one more sentence, one more paragraph, one more page…
“He conquers who endures.” –Persius
What’s truly heartbreaking is how the fear can not only slow our pace but also lead to a crippling dis-ease called Insecurity. We think to ourselves, Real writers don’t have this problem. If I was a truly talented author I’d be zipping through the pages without blinking an eye.
May I just say… “Hah!”
“With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable.” --Thomas Foxwell Buxton
The greatest minds out there achieve success not because they’re so freaking brilliant the stars blush trying to sparkle as brightly. No, ma-am. Not at all. Those who achieve lasting success are those who persevere. All books are written One Page At A Time.
“Look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before.” --Jacob A. Riis
The authors who get published, who find agents, who hit the bestseller list, all have one trait in common. Perseverance. They pushed until they typed The End. They polished and revised until the book was irresistible. They sent out queries until the Right Agent said, “Let’s Go!”
They kept writing and promoting their books until they reached that coveted dream. Just like you, just like me, they reached for the stars. And just like you, and just like me, they persevered. *smile* We Can Do It!
“Keep on going, and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I never heard of anyone ever stumbling on something sitting down.” --Charles F. Kettering
One sentence, one paragraph, one page at a time. We can do it. We WILL do it because (let’s say it together) We Are Writers!
And don’t forget:
“Keep in mind that the person to write for is yourself. Tell the story that you most desperately want to read.” –Susan Isaacs
Let’s support our perseverance with a visualization exercise. Remember, our subconscious works with our conscious mind to help us create the exact reality we desire. Take a moment to close your eyes and visualize the exact situation you yearn for. I’m typing The End! I’m getting “the call”! I can *see* my book on the bestseller list!
Remember, "Man is what he believes." --Anton Chekhov (1860 - 1904)
We Are Writers! Go-go-GO!
--Chiron O’Keefe
For Writing Motivation look for The Write Soul: http://www.chironokeefe.blogspot.com/
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Discover Your Self, Awaken Your Heart, Engage Your Soul---Write
One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. “Which road do I take?” she asked. “Where do you want to go?” was his response.“ I don't know,” Alice answered. “Then,” said the cat, “it doesn't matter.” – Lewis Carroll
Writing is a curious occupation. Although I suppose there are those who can pen novels, poems, songs, or scripts without any ‘soul’ investment, *smile* most of us instead take a deep breath and jump down that wondrous rabbit hole. In order to have the courage, the stamina, and the sheer will-power to keep ourselves on track we need to have a reason to write.
"The greatest explorer on this earth never takes voyages as long as those of the man who descends to the depth of his heart." ~Julien Green
Here is my suggestion:
Write to Discover Your Self.
Write to Awaken Your Heart.
Write to Engage Your Soul.
Truth is the sheer effort of completing a book can be exhausting. The process of submitting can be discouraging. The endless promotions and networking can leave you numb. This is why, no matter what anyone tells you, you must Write What You Love.
"No one remains quite what he was when he recognizes himself." ~Thomas Mann
Every writer experiences it. Whether the composition is your own version of the great novel or simply a chatty email with a close friend, there comes a moment of clarity which illuminates your soul. You discover in that flash of insight a part of your Self. A shiver of excitement and an astonished, “Well, that’s true, isn’t it?” follows.
Writing is more than a path to publication. Writing is a journey to your soul. When you invest those precious minutes and push beyond the linear constraints of your rational mind to dangle precariously within the caverns of imagination something amazing occurs. There’s really no describing it as each author has her own amazing revelation. Yet we all know how it *feels*.
"It is only when we silent the blaring sounds of our daily existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to us, as it stands knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts." ~K.T. Jong
However, if we allow the fickle and ever-changing market to guide our path or follow the advice of a thousand other writers (including myself!) on What To Write, we may be robbing ourselves of the greatest gift of all: Self-discovery. And ironically, it’s often those who shun the rules who then create a new market. How often are we told that agents and publishers are looking for something different? So much so that many of us type madly amidst the chunks of hair we’ve yanked out of our heads with frustration. *laughs*
“Throwing away ideas too soon is like opening a package of flower seeds and then throwing them away because they're not pretty."— Arthur VanGundy, Ph.D. (Idea Power, 1992)
Self-discovery sounds very profound, doesn’t it? *smile* Yet it’s also a lovely, carefree and often silly dance. Consider for just a moment how children play. They explore all avenues with gusto and if someone advises them of the Right Way, they’ll buy into it for a time, yet then will gleefully rebel and discover their own Right Way. That’s what we need to do as writers. For some authors, this may mean investing ten years to write the next Gone With the Wind. For others, short and snappy might be just the ticket.
“Hi. I'm Troy McClure. You may remember me from such self help tapes as 'Smoke yourself thin' and 'Get some confidence, Stupid!'” --The Simpsons
The key is to Discover Your Path. Ready? Here are some steps to follow:
First… WRITE. (You knew that was coming, right? *grin*)
Second… Be Brave. Color outside those lines. Play in your own forbidden zone. Take every risk you can because you can always change it later. So why not leap out of the airplane?
Three… Keep Writing. *grin*
"When you aim for perfection, you discover it's a moving target." ~~Geoffrey F. Fisher
The more sentences you carve out of your imagination, the more the pages will reflect your soul. Let yourself be excited not only by the potential of being published or hitting that best-seller list. Thirst for the revelations that will emerge as you jump down that rabbit-hole.
“I can't go back to yesterday - because I was a different person then.” ~~Lewis Carroll
Ready to take some risks? We Are Writers! Go-go-GO!!
Writing is a curious occupation. Although I suppose there are those who can pen novels, poems, songs, or scripts without any ‘soul’ investment, *smile* most of us instead take a deep breath and jump down that wondrous rabbit hole. In order to have the courage, the stamina, and the sheer will-power to keep ourselves on track we need to have a reason to write.
"The greatest explorer on this earth never takes voyages as long as those of the man who descends to the depth of his heart." ~Julien Green
Here is my suggestion:
Write to Discover Your Self.
Write to Awaken Your Heart.
Write to Engage Your Soul.
Truth is the sheer effort of completing a book can be exhausting. The process of submitting can be discouraging. The endless promotions and networking can leave you numb. This is why, no matter what anyone tells you, you must Write What You Love.
"No one remains quite what he was when he recognizes himself." ~Thomas Mann
Every writer experiences it. Whether the composition is your own version of the great novel or simply a chatty email with a close friend, there comes a moment of clarity which illuminates your soul. You discover in that flash of insight a part of your Self. A shiver of excitement and an astonished, “Well, that’s true, isn’t it?” follows.
Writing is more than a path to publication. Writing is a journey to your soul. When you invest those precious minutes and push beyond the linear constraints of your rational mind to dangle precariously within the caverns of imagination something amazing occurs. There’s really no describing it as each author has her own amazing revelation. Yet we all know how it *feels*.
"It is only when we silent the blaring sounds of our daily existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to us, as it stands knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts." ~K.T. Jong
However, if we allow the fickle and ever-changing market to guide our path or follow the advice of a thousand other writers (including myself!) on What To Write, we may be robbing ourselves of the greatest gift of all: Self-discovery. And ironically, it’s often those who shun the rules who then create a new market. How often are we told that agents and publishers are looking for something different? So much so that many of us type madly amidst the chunks of hair we’ve yanked out of our heads with frustration. *laughs*
“Throwing away ideas too soon is like opening a package of flower seeds and then throwing them away because they're not pretty."— Arthur VanGundy, Ph.D. (Idea Power, 1992)
Self-discovery sounds very profound, doesn’t it? *smile* Yet it’s also a lovely, carefree and often silly dance. Consider for just a moment how children play. They explore all avenues with gusto and if someone advises them of the Right Way, they’ll buy into it for a time, yet then will gleefully rebel and discover their own Right Way. That’s what we need to do as writers. For some authors, this may mean investing ten years to write the next Gone With the Wind. For others, short and snappy might be just the ticket.
“Hi. I'm Troy McClure. You may remember me from such self help tapes as 'Smoke yourself thin' and 'Get some confidence, Stupid!'” --The Simpsons
The key is to Discover Your Path. Ready? Here are some steps to follow:
First… WRITE. (You knew that was coming, right? *grin*)
Second… Be Brave. Color outside those lines. Play in your own forbidden zone. Take every risk you can because you can always change it later. So why not leap out of the airplane?
Three… Keep Writing. *grin*
"When you aim for perfection, you discover it's a moving target." ~~Geoffrey F. Fisher
The more sentences you carve out of your imagination, the more the pages will reflect your soul. Let yourself be excited not only by the potential of being published or hitting that best-seller list. Thirst for the revelations that will emerge as you jump down that rabbit-hole.
“I can't go back to yesterday - because I was a different person then.” ~~Lewis Carroll
Ready to take some risks? We Are Writers! Go-go-GO!!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
The Book of Opportunity...
“A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.” ~Author Unknown
As a new year approaches, the urge to take stock of our life bubbles up like a sip of fine champagne. Let’s lift a glass and toast our accomplishments, savoring the taste of our creative endeavors…the potential of the New Year sparkles like stars within our hearts!
We’ve all made goals… Some we’ve achieved and some still dangle like a sprig of mistletoe, just out of reach. The beauty is, no matter how far that finish line may seem, we’ve all accomplished remarkable things. I’m not yet published in fiction, yet I’ve written three books. No one can take that accomplishment away. Every page I’ve sweated over, every idea that’s seen fruition is an amazing accomplishment. We are Do-ers. We WRITE.
Now, we can shake off whatever frustrations we’ve battled and relish the opportunity to begin fresh.
“For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.”~T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding"
The days stretch before us like pristine snow. It is up to us to step forward and forge our own path. How freaking exciting is this? A whole year to accomplish new goals, to wrap up ongoing projects, to meet the face of destiny and see that her face is our own. *smile*
“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.” ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce
Now’s the time to choose how to fill those pages. How best to seize opportunity. How to celebrate our awesome career and relish in our gifts. We Are Writers. No matter how onerous the task can be, we are the luckiest creatures that exist. We Create Worlds. We Are The Magic Makers.
“We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential.” ~Ellen Goodman
And while, at times, we may be tempted to chide ourselves or bemoan the days behind us, let’s make a pact to focus on the potential instead. Who cares if we didn’t plant a seed in time to catch a particular rainstorm 273 days ago! There are seeds a’plenty and a promise of sweet rain to nurture those budding plants to new heights. Plot out your garden and plant away! Harvest time will come, and we will be ready.
"A new year is unfolding—like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.” --Anonymous
Let’s tease out the beauty within each idea. Breathe gently to encourage those petals to unfurl. Those ideas nestled deep within your soul are aching for release. We are the luckiest of all people… We Are Writers!
Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~Oprah Winfrey
Write ON!
Let’s focus on goals and see what we can accomplish.
Wishing you all a New Year bursting with potential and the will, the determination and the passion to meet every goal.
Happy New Year!!
--Chiron O'Keefe
As a new year approaches, the urge to take stock of our life bubbles up like a sip of fine champagne. Let’s lift a glass and toast our accomplishments, savoring the taste of our creative endeavors…the potential of the New Year sparkles like stars within our hearts!
We’ve all made goals… Some we’ve achieved and some still dangle like a sprig of mistletoe, just out of reach. The beauty is, no matter how far that finish line may seem, we’ve all accomplished remarkable things. I’m not yet published in fiction, yet I’ve written three books. No one can take that accomplishment away. Every page I’ve sweated over, every idea that’s seen fruition is an amazing accomplishment. We are Do-ers. We WRITE.
Now, we can shake off whatever frustrations we’ve battled and relish the opportunity to begin fresh.
“For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.”~T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding"
The days stretch before us like pristine snow. It is up to us to step forward and forge our own path. How freaking exciting is this? A whole year to accomplish new goals, to wrap up ongoing projects, to meet the face of destiny and see that her face is our own. *smile*
“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.” ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce
Now’s the time to choose how to fill those pages. How best to seize opportunity. How to celebrate our awesome career and relish in our gifts. We Are Writers. No matter how onerous the task can be, we are the luckiest creatures that exist. We Create Worlds. We Are The Magic Makers.
“We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential.” ~Ellen Goodman
And while, at times, we may be tempted to chide ourselves or bemoan the days behind us, let’s make a pact to focus on the potential instead. Who cares if we didn’t plant a seed in time to catch a particular rainstorm 273 days ago! There are seeds a’plenty and a promise of sweet rain to nurture those budding plants to new heights. Plot out your garden and plant away! Harvest time will come, and we will be ready.
"A new year is unfolding—like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.” --Anonymous
Let’s tease out the beauty within each idea. Breathe gently to encourage those petals to unfurl. Those ideas nestled deep within your soul are aching for release. We are the luckiest of all people… We Are Writers!
Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~Oprah Winfrey
Write ON!
Let’s focus on goals and see what we can accomplish.
Wishing you all a New Year bursting with potential and the will, the determination and the passion to meet every goal.
Happy New Year!!
--Chiron O'Keefe
Sunday, December 21, 2008
One Page at a Time
“All great masters are chiefly distinguished by the power of adding a second, a third, and perhaps a fourth step in a continuous line. Many a man has taken the first step. With every additional step you enhance immensely the value of your first.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson
What sets the successful author apart from the aspiring writer?
Perseverance. The determination to move forward no matter how many obstacles appear on the path.
“The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places.” ~Author Unknown
Staying true to our focus means we must recognize that the path that leads to success can be arduous. Ah, yes. Rejections or writer’s block tempts us to toss aside our dreams. If you feel frustrated, you’re not alone. All writers experience this.
To be a writer is to sit down at one's desk in the chill portion of every day, and to write; not waiting for the little jet of the blue flame of genius to start from the breastbone - just plain going at it, in pain and delight. To be a writer is to throw away a great deal, not to be satisfied, to type again, and then again, and once more, and over and over.... - John Hersey
During the holiday season time is at a premium. There’s last-minute shopping and presents to be wrapped, houseguests chatting and children underfoot, and for some, severe storms that threaten to knock out the power. What’s a writer to do?
My suggestion first off is this. Relax. Enjoy the holiday season. *smile* If you can squeeze in a page or two, by all means let those fingers fly! If you can’t… be forgiving to yourself. Trust that you will be pounding those keys when the craziness eases off. Every book is written one page at a time.
“The drops of rain make a hole in the stone not by violence but by oft falling.” ~Lucretius
Next week we’ll set the stage for the New Year so let’s consider what we intend to accomplish in 2009.
Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. ~William Feather
Let’s “hang on” and remember… We Are Writers!!
Have a lovely holiday season, everyone!
--Chiron O’Keefe
What sets the successful author apart from the aspiring writer?
Perseverance. The determination to move forward no matter how many obstacles appear on the path.
“The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places.” ~Author Unknown
Staying true to our focus means we must recognize that the path that leads to success can be arduous. Ah, yes. Rejections or writer’s block tempts us to toss aside our dreams. If you feel frustrated, you’re not alone. All writers experience this.
To be a writer is to sit down at one's desk in the chill portion of every day, and to write; not waiting for the little jet of the blue flame of genius to start from the breastbone - just plain going at it, in pain and delight. To be a writer is to throw away a great deal, not to be satisfied, to type again, and then again, and once more, and over and over.... - John Hersey
During the holiday season time is at a premium. There’s last-minute shopping and presents to be wrapped, houseguests chatting and children underfoot, and for some, severe storms that threaten to knock out the power. What’s a writer to do?
My suggestion first off is this. Relax. Enjoy the holiday season. *smile* If you can squeeze in a page or two, by all means let those fingers fly! If you can’t… be forgiving to yourself. Trust that you will be pounding those keys when the craziness eases off. Every book is written one page at a time.
“The drops of rain make a hole in the stone not by violence but by oft falling.” ~Lucretius
Next week we’ll set the stage for the New Year so let’s consider what we intend to accomplish in 2009.
Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. ~William Feather
Let’s “hang on” and remember… We Are Writers!!
Have a lovely holiday season, everyone!
--Chiron O’Keefe
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