Monday, September 7, 2015

Motivational Monday


I wrote Sharp Objects and Dark Places 
[the books I published before Gone Girl]
at night, on weekends and on holidays 
while I still had my job at EW.
Lots of people spend too much time
on the edge of the pool,
looking at the water instead of jumping in.
What I always tell people who want to be writers - 
and I think this goes for anything - 
is that you just have to do it.
Preparing is only going to take you so far.
(Gillian Flynn)

I admit it - I've been hanging out on the edge of the pool for awhile now. I've had my sunglasses on for so long, they've gone out of style. I've reapplied my sunscreen more times than I care to admit. I'm ready. I'm prepared. I know I am. What am I waiting for? 

I don't know exactly. Is there ever a perfect time to leap? If we just wing it, if we jump too soon, we end up doing a great big belly flop. If we wait too long, if we over-prepare, the pool closes and we miss the opportunity for a great swim. 

This week, let's make a point to dive in - dive into that project we've been putting off, the one that makes us nervous, the one that is huge and overwhelming but will be oh so worth it. 

Come on, join me - the water is fine! (And if we need a break, we can always play a rousing game of Marco Polo!) 

32 comments:

  1. Those first few dives into the pool can be nerve-wracking, but it does get better.

    Susan Says

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    1. It does get better - it becomes easier to look past the fear and see the potential, see the reward on the other side of the fear.

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  2. I have been procrastinating with an adult project for way too long. I will dive in straight today and see how it goes.

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  3. When you don't want to get out of the pool, that's when it's going well. The first step is usually the hardest!

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    1. I remember staying in the pool until my skin got all prune-y. Ah, I miss those days! Time to throw myself into a project and revel in it until my imagination gets all prune-y. (Hmm, well, you know what I mean....)

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  4. I think I jumped at just the right time. :)

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  5. Thanks for the motivation, maybe what I needed. Going to get that book done! NOW!

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  6. The first step is the hardest but it's worth it. Dive in! :)

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  7. Yep, good advice. Come on in, the water's lovely!

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  8. I'm swimming and the water feels fine!

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  9. I have one I need to dive back in. It's the end of a novel and I'm not exactly sure how it'll go. I've got the general idea, but not the little scenes. It's just not coming easy this time. :(

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    1. Hang in there, Suzi. Maybe at least get in the pool, even if you have to tread water for a bit?

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  10. What an invite! Who could turn it down. Watch out here I come. :-)

    Anna from Elements of Writing

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  11. I got in. Then I got out again and when I look at the water I just think, "but it's cold!" I need to work up my nerve again.

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  12. Cannonball!!! :) Let's take the plunge quickly so I don't stand her much longer thinking about it and getting goosebumps.
    Great motivational post, Madeline!

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    1. Ha! I've done a number of cannonballs in my day. And more belly flops than I care to admit to. :)

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  13. Good advice! And we do need to remember that belly flops don't (usually) kill us. :D

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  14. I loved the book Sharp Objects. Dark Places was a bit TOO dark for me. But I think about it all the time so she did something good there.

    We all just have to take the plunge and DO IT!

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    1. I read both of those novels - and was blown away! - way back before Gone Girl, and I am thrilled to see her getting the attention she deserves.

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  15. Since you have two books out, I'd say you're already in the water!

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