Monday, November 24, 2014

Motivational Monday


If you focus first on craft and community,
you'll not only have a much better chance 
of writing something other people want to read, 
but you'll be part of a group of writers
who have made that journey with you.

And that, in and of itself, 
bestows the most sustaining gift of all:
empathy, understanding, connection, 
deep debates, camaraderie.

Not to mention 
someone to talk you off the ledge 
during those long dark nights of the soul, 
when you're positive that no one 
will ever want to read what you've written,
and are toying with giving up writing 
and becoming an interpretive dancer instead. 
(Lisa Cron)

This is exactly how I feel about all of you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Let's continue to support each other and to keep talking each other off those ledges, because, believe me, no one wants to see me dance, interpretive or otherwise.

32 comments:

  1. And thank YOU, my friend. I am glad to be a part of your blogging family :)

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  2. Amen! That's what we are here for - to support one another.

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  3. I don't know if I'd ever try interpretive dancing, but I have definitely had thoughts about giving up on writing. Luckily I have blogger buddies to tell me how crazy that is. :)

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  4. Our local writing group just gave a group hug to one of our members who felt down and frustrated. If we don't help each other, who will?

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  5. I would be lost without my blogger friends and the writing community here in the blogsphere. Absolutely lost!

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  6. Amen to this! Ditto to everything Jay said.
    Happy Thanksgiving, Madeline!

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  7. Hmm, interpretive dance... interesting... I'd be tempted if I wasn't such an walrus when it comes to graceful movements ;)

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    1. Ha! I'd compare myself to a manatee but they're actually very graceful in the water. :)

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  8. Perfect! I'm glad we're connected, Madeline, and that bond grows even stronger. xx

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  9. Absolutely! I never would have had the confidence to venture out there without my first little community. I think we need SEVERAL communities, with different levels of work and play and support. Because at different times we need different stuff.

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    1. That's a great point about having several communities and needing different stuff at different times.

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  10. Thank you, thank you for this. I had a terrible, down on the floor day yesterday with a crisis of confidence. Couldn't have timed it better.

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    1. I'm sorry you had that moment - been there, done that! - but I am so happy to hear these words helped you feel better. :)

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  11. Love it. And what sound advice--people get so focused on putting a story out there that often they don't take the time to cultivate their talent.

    Unleashing the Dreamworld

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    1. Taking the time to cultivate our talent is huge and important - and ongoing! :)

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  12. Writing friends are awesome. I definitely struggled when I was "on my own" (before I knew other writers).

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  13. Love this post. We do need each other. I know that I need all of you. So, thank YOU for all your motivational quotes, they truly do help me. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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    1. Thank so much, Kristin! I really appreciate that. :)

      And Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!

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  14. HUGE amen to that, Madeline. I can't tell you how often I need a writer friend for support than a "regular" friend.

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  15. Love this! I don't know what I'd do without the support of the writing community! :)

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  16. Oh my gosh. I was JUST considering that whole interpretive dance thing...:-)

    Actually, Juniorette Hall in her day danced in some pieces that I suppose were interpretive? And honestly, you and I could easily swing that...Happy Thanksgiving, Madeline! Hope you get stuffed with turkey and acceptances! :-)

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    1. Ha! Maybe you could swing it.... :)

      And I hope you get "stuffed" too. :)

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