SO WHATEVER THE BOOK OF YOUR HEART IS
FIND A WAY TO PUT IT
IN YOUR LINE OF SIGHT
EVERY DAY,
AS A REMINDER
THAT THERE'S SOMETHING
MORE YOU ASPIRE TO.
THEN MAKE TIME FOR IT.
(Mindy McGinnis)
These words found me at a point where I was waffling about whether to try writing novels again. I felt old and defeated. I missed the hope, desire, certainty of publication that ruled my youth. I missed the way I'd throw myself into a project with total abandon.
Here's what I think happened: I lost sight of those ideas, those books. I let them get pushed aside by all the changes in publishing. I buried them under grocery lists and to-do lists and life in general.
So, what I'm going to do now, is find a symbol of my current WiP - yep, back to novels! - and put it where I see it Every. Damn. Day. It will be better than any mirror; it will show me who I really am, and who I really want to be.
Tape it to Larry and Mrs. Larry's enclosure - you won't miss it there!
ReplyDeleteAn excellent idea, Alex! :)
DeleteI'm glad you're back on track. Knowing your objective is half the battle.
ReplyDeletePS Never think you're too old. I actually think older writers make better writers. We have a deeper well of experience. :)
Logically, I know I'm not too old. I just miss the exuberance of my youth. Hmm, maybe it's hiding under the swaths of gray hair.... :)
DeleteThat's a great idea! I have a cover image I designed for my WIP in a frame by my desk. It helps a lot. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to find the right symbol. For now, it's pretty much just notes everywhere and a few photos that might help with the setting. :)
DeleteYou always give me an upbeat feeling. Will look forward to hearing more about you novel adventures.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan! I try. :)
DeleteI miss the energy of youth too! A symbol is a good idea. I think I might have to do that too. :) Have a terrific week.
ReplyDeleteI hope it works for you!
DeleteThat's a cool quote. I like the idea behind it too. Maybe I should pin up some pics of my WIPs characters as motivation. Having them stare at me will get me writing. ;)
ReplyDeleteJust as long as their eyes don't start following you around the room.... :)
DeleteI love Alex's idea! :D
ReplyDeleteI love this quote and idea as well. I've let lots of things fall by the wayside in the past few years and need to get my butt in gear again. Here's to both of us doing just that.
The tortoises wouldn't mind if I put something on their enclosure. On their shells, though, would be a different story.... :o
DeleteLet's get to it, Julie! We can do it!
I love that idea! Now if only I had somewhere to put some reminder. I wish I had a desk to work on but I could always tape something to the wall, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteThe wall. The refrigerator. The bathroom mirror. The TV. :) Anywhere in your line of sight. Go for it!
DeleteI am cheering for you. You can absolutely do it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Murees!
DeleteThis is a great idea! It's so easy to get discouraged as a writer. Good for you for dusting off those dreams--you can do it!
ReplyDeleteIt's about the only dusting I've done lately.... :)
DeleteLove that idea! You can do it, Madeline!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tyrean!
DeleteGreat idea! I'm getting too overwhelmed by what I need to do, so I freeze up. I need to get the passion back.
ReplyDeleteI still have to push myself to get through the "stuff" - in my head, in my notes, etc - to remember what I want and why I want it.
DeleteGo for it, Shannon - you can do it!
Very inspiring, Madeline! What symbol did you choose?
ReplyDeleteI'm still working on finding just the right one. At the moment though, I have a table filled with novel-related notes, etc. It's overwhelming to look at sometimes, but it does keep it in my line of sight. :)
DeleteLet me know when you figure it out. It sounds weird, but when I was working at a dead-end job with a horrible boss, I had her photo taped to the ceiling above my bed. Her face was the first one I saw when I woke up.
DeleteIt motivated me to work hard on my writing and get the hell out of there!
Hmm, sounds like negative reinforcement to me but whatever works, right?! :)
DeleteI'm thinking of using a photo or photos that symbolize something in the story or symbolize the way I want readers - and myself! - to feel when IN the story.
Now that sounds like a plan! Good luck, Madeline. I know what it's like to lose sight of the goal.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patricia! I hope your goals are in sight again, if not now then soon.
DeleteI like your plan. Get that passion pumping. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
I'm trying! :)
DeleteWhat an awesome idea! Good luck :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Annalisa!
DeleteBest of luck with your WIPs! May you stay inspired and achieve your goals!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Loni! I appreciate that. :)
DeleteGood luck! It's really important to maintain a joy in writing, rather than getting bogged down in all the uncertainties with the industry. That can get really distracting.
ReplyDeleteThat, and all the "rules" I've learned and absorbed over the years. Not that the rules don't have a place, but they can be stifling during early drafts.
DeleteThat's a really wonderful idea. Find your passion and your motivation and get back to it! I think the greatest challenge many writers face is the disheartening loss of spirit when they stop believing that what they're doing matters.
ReplyDeleteThis is so, so true - "I think the greatest challenge many writers face is the disheartening loss of spirit when they stop believing that what they're doing matters." For me, anyway.
DeleteGreat idea! What's the symbol?
ReplyDeleteStill working on it.... :)
Delete