When Motivation Melts

It's been a long hot summer - is it really only the middle of July? Sheesh! - and my creative oomph is melting like chocolate ice cream down the sides of a sugar cone.

So, if you're feeling the same, these quotes might help - two for keeping on track, one for a good chuckle.  

Wait . . . do you hear that? Voices from the freezer. Ben? Jerry? Uh-oh, I better rescue them! I'll need a spoon. You know, just in case things get yummy . . . uh, I mean messy.

*****

"Stop looking at what other people are doing

and look at what you're achieving.

Stop looking sideways,

look at where you're going."

(Jocelyn Glei)

*****

"WRITER'S BLOCK IS BROUGHT ON

BY WANTING TO WRITE WELL

AND FEARING YOU'RE NOT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WRITE WELL,

YOU HAVE TO REVISE WELL."

(Janet Reid)

*****

"I AM EDITING ONE BOOK 

AND DRAFTING ANOTHER,

MOVING FROM PJS TO YOGA PANTS AND BACK

WITHOUT EVER MAKING A STOP

BY ACTUAL CLOTHES."

(Joshilyn Jackson)

*****

How's your creative oomph and motivation holding up so far this summer? Any advice for keeping it from melting? Do you have a favorite ice cream or other stay-cool treat?  

May We Motivate You?

As the month of May draws to a close, we here at TSR would like to offer up some motivation - and a little humor! Let's start the second half of 2018 with a kick in the creative "oomph" and a chuckle or two . . . .

"YOUR INTUITION ALREADY KNOWS

WHAT IT WANTS TO WRITE,

SO GET OUT OF THE WAY."

(Ray Bradbury)

"There are a million talented writers out there

who are unpublished only because

they stop writing when it gets hard.

Don't do that."

(Gillian Flynn)

"UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 

HEALTHY STRIVING AND PERFECTIONISM 

IS CRITICAL 

TO LAYING DOWN THE SHIELD 

AND PICKING UP YOUR LIFE." 

(Dr. Brene Brown)

"My theory on housework is,

if the item doesn't multiply, smell,

catch fire, or block the refrigerator door,

let it be. No one else cares.

Why should you?

(Erma Bombeck)

"IF I WROTE A DR. SEUSS-ESQUE BOOK

ABOUT THE RESEARCH I DO FOR MY NOVELS

IT WOULD BE TITLED

'OH, THE THINGS YOU NOW KNOW.'

IT WOULD BE TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE

FOR CHILDREN."

(Mindy McGinnis)

"MY WISH FOR YOU IS THAT

YOU FEEL NO NEED 

TO CONSTRICT YOURSELF 

TO MAKE OTHER PEOPLE

COMFORTABLE."

(Ta-Nehisi Coates)

*****

How was your May? Your first half of 2018? What creative plans and projects do you have coming up? What are you looking forward to this summer - books, movies, TV shows, vacations?

The Writing Path: Keep Your Machete Sharp and Your Cake Fork Handy

"THIS ISN'T GOING TO BE EASY, AND THE PATH IS NEVER GOING TO BE CLEAR. THE BEST YOU CAN DO IS KEEP YOUR MACHETE SHARP AND WHACK AWAY AT THE FOLIAGE TILL YOU CLEAR YOUR PATH."

(Janet Reid)

So, how's your writing path looking lately? Is it neat and edged, lined with flowers? Or is it more like mine:

I recently took a blogging break in the hopes of organizing my writing and writing-related work, of making huge progress on my novella, of revising and submitting more stories, etc. Well, for a number of reasons, including one that blew away my focus and rattled my nerves - I'm looking at you, Hurricane Irma! - little to nothing got done. Throw in a few rejections and a possible new project I'm torn about pursuing, and I might as well grow roots I'm so stuck.

But I'm starting to see some sunlight beckoning to me through the brambles and the branches, and I know my writing and I will be okay. Eventually. I just really hope there's some cake and a big glass of milk up ahead for sustenance. (Hey, you have your path, I have mine. If you want boring old trail mix, that's your problem.) 

When the Snake Slithers In

The other day, literary agent Janet Reid wrote a fantastic post advising someone who'd received destructive feedback on their work AND on themselves as a writer. Even though Ms. Reid's words are geared toward the writing life, I think they work on a personal level as well.

Ms. Reid, referring to the beta reader, says, "She's quite clearly someone who takes great satisfaction in making people feel small . . . It's the behavior of a third grade bully. Again, not the conduct of a self-actualized adult . . . ."

Have you ever dealt with someone like that? I have, and I admit, I was gobsmacked (love that word!) by the incident. But as time went on, I became more upset with myself than the person because I continued to let the words hurt me. They would slither into my brain, a snake sinking its venomous fangs into my spirit, poisoning all that was creative and good and wacky in my mind. I struggled with how to stop it from happening, but I didn't have the antidote.

Until now. 

"There is no way her words won't continue to cut at you. Words do that. It will take a while to stop thinking about what she said. One way to do that (and you do need to stop that) is give yourself a mantra to say every time you think of her, and a specific thing to divert your mind to instead. (I use the rosary for this; when I think of something that is unsettling me I recite one Hail Mary and then turn my mind to something else. It takes practice but it works.)"

I probably won't use the Hail Mary (much to my maternal grandmother's chagrin) so I'm open to suggestions. I've got lots of affirming and positive quotes I can fish through but I'm turning to you all first. What's your antidote for that darn snake, your go-to mantra, your action plan? How do you keep the bullies from winning?

Doubt, The Dream-Killer

How many times have you said to yourself some version of the following -

I don't think I can do this . . . .

I'm not sure I'm creative/smart/strong enough . . . .

Maybe everyone is right and I should just give up my dream/idea/plans . . . .

Yeah, me too.

But here's a reminder, something I'm going to say to myself over and over until it's tattooed on my heart - 

DOUBT KILLS MORE DREAMS 

THAN FAILURE EVER WILL.

(Suzy Kassem)

Believe, people. 

Believe. 

Worth It

I came across the following quote right when I needed it the most. I just love when that kind of thing happens, don't you? So, I'm sharing the words here with you all, just in case you, or someone you know, is in need of them, too.

LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WAKE UP 

IN THE MORNING WITH REGRETS,

SO LOVE THE PEOPLE WHO TREAT YOU RIGHT,

FORGET ABOUT THE ONES WHO DON'T,

AND BELIEVE THAT EVERYTHING

HAPPENS FOR A REASON.

IF YOU GET A CHANCE, TAKE IT.

IF IT CHANGES YOUR LIFE, LET IT.

NOBODY SAID IT'D BE EASY,

THEY JUST PROMISED IT WOULD BE

WORTH IT.

(Harvey Mackay)

A Challenge!

As March ends and April begins, I'm in need of some motivation. I saw this quote (by @rarguijo) in a magazine and thought - hmm, a challenge?

*****

MAKE TODAY 

SO AWESOME

THAT YESTERDAY 

GETS JEALOUS.

*****

Yes! I'm up for it!

How about you?

Ask Yourself This

I came across the following in a magazine awhile back and it about blew my mind. I hate to admit it, but I am so guilty of this:

"WAS IT A BAD DAY

OR

WAS IT A BAD FIVE MINUTES

THAT YOU MILKED ALL DAY?'

(-sdevanny1)

Now, whenever I catch myself in a bad mood, I stop and ask myself that question. 

Sometimes the answer is "Yes, it was a bad day, and chocolate better be forthcoming." (That's when my poor husband wishes he had a shell like the tortoises!) 

But most times the answer is, "No, it was a moment of aggravation, of annoyance, of frustration that I let get under my skin." Once I realize that, it's like all the little dust bunnies of gloom scatter, and I can see all the shiny surfaces of my life - all the big things I am grateful for, like my husband, our health, our home - as well as the smaller moments of joy and peace I experience throughout the day - reading a good book while drinking hot coffee, watching the tortoises doze happily under their heat lamp. 

Sure, we all have bad days, but maybe we don't have as many as we think we do. 

*****

How about you? Are you guilty of milking those five minutes, too? Will you try asking - and answering - the question? Have any other suggestions for gaining some perspective? How do you focus on gratitude instead of a negative attitude?

Holiday Wishes and a Blogging Break

THE MORE YOU 

PRAISE AND CELEBRATE

YOUR LIFE,

THE MORE THERE IS IN LIFE

TO CELEBRATE.

(Oprah Winfrey)

The holiday season is not joyful for everyone. Some people are grieving. Others are lonely. Many are stressed for reasons ranging from financial to familial. And society - TV commercials, ads, holiday movies, etc - can often make people feel worse for not experiencing the "perfect" time. 

If you're struggling this holiday season, please try to look beyond the trappings and into the heart of what is good in you and in your life. It's sometimes hard to see it with all the hoopla, but it's there. It might seem small or inconsequential to you, but it's not. It's important. You do have something to "praise and celebrate." We all do. 

How's your health? Is there a solid roof over your head? Do you have a pet that you love? Can you pick up a small toy to donate for a children's charity? How about a stroll to look at Christmas lights? Do you find peace in attending a religious service? How about treating yourself to a book you've been dying to read, a movie marathon while curled up on the couch, a favorite rich food that makes your eyeballs roll back in your head? How about starting a gratitude journal? It might be a lovely way to give the old year a solid goodbye embrace while also opening your arms wide and joyfully to the new year that's arriving.

All of us here at The Shellshank Redemption wish you joy - whatever that looks like for you - this holiday season. I'll pop in and out of the blogosphere, but the tortoises say no more posts until after Christmas. It does take them some time to get things done. After all, the tree won't decorate itself! And Larry is not the handiest when it comes to wrapping presents. So, we need all the time we can get around here.

Merry Christmas! 🎅  Happy Holidays! 🎄

Clean Houses vs Finished Books

This is totally why I don't have any published novels to my name:

"WOMEN WITH CLEAN HOUSES

DO NOT HAVE FINISHED BOOKS."

(Joy Held)

Because you know, my house is So. Clean.

Okay, even the tortoises are laughing at that. 

Seriously, though, it's all about priorities. In the past, I got off course, got distracted. I fell for some of society's expectations. I let people and what they thought into my head. I tried to please even as I tried to be myself. My dreams and hopes suffered. My writing suffered. My spirit suffered.

Well, enough is enough. The majority of my energy and focus now goes to health/losing weight and to writing. My husband, my partner in all things, gets that. We're in this thing called life together. 

So, if the dust bunnies form an army, my husband will conquer them with the vacuum. If the laundry pile turns mountain, I'll scale it then throw in a wash. If neither of us feels like cooking, we'll hunt for hearty, healthy takeout salads. 

Now, if only we could get the tortoises to pull their weight around here . . . 

*****

How about you? Are you struggling with priorities right now? Are you balanced, focused, on track for the most part? What's working for you? How dirty does your house have to get before you surrender and get to cleaning?     

The Belle of the Ball

I know I usually do quotes on Monday but this one wouldn't wait...

I'M NOT FUNNY. WHAT I AM IS BRAVE. 
(Lucille Ball)

Tomorrow, August 6, 2011 marks what would've been the 100th birthday of Lucille Ball, a woman who has made millions of us laugh until we cried. Being funny not only takes skill and talent but it's also hard. (Just ask all of us who aren't.) It takes guts to let go and let loose and put yourself out there knowing you might get the laugh but also knowing there's a chance you're going to get laughed at.

Hmm, sounds a bit like writing, doesn't it?

So, in honor of this funny and brave woman, and in honor of one of my favorite episodes of I Love Lucy, I'm going to help myself to some chocolate. Hopefully, not as much as went by on that conveyor belt...

Motivational Monday - the Makeover!

Motivational Mondays are getting a makeover - slimming down, putting on a new face, etc.  Positive and upbeat quotes are this season's newest trends and we here at The Shellshank Redemption are nothing if not fashion forward (Okay, really, it's Mrs. Larry who's the most fashionable in this household, followed closely by my husband.  Don't even ask about me or Larry.)   

Now Little Miss Susie Sunshine I am not but I do like a good motivational quote.  I often need a good motivational quote.  Writing - and life - can be hard and sometimes all it takes is a few well chosen words to get us back on our feet or to get us moving forward again.  I hope this quote and future ones will give you the oomph you need when you need it.   Have a great week!

YOU HAVEN'T FAILED UNTIL YOU STOP TRYING.

(??)

These words remind me that rejection letters don't necessarily mean I failed; they mean I kept trying.  It's a different version of success, but hey, I'll take it.