Hi, All
Well, Autumn has arrived. It's already October 1st and as the vestiges of Summer turn like the swaying leaves, brilliance abounds. Is there anything more beautiful than fall foliage? Eye popping hues of gold, red, orange, and burgundy. Such splendor.
Today is also the day for a new IWSG post. I can't help thinking how much has happened this year. As winter approaches another year has passed. Have our goals been met? Did we sign with our perfect agent? Did our book debut with record sales? For some, the answer may be yes. And I couldn't be more happy for you! But what about the hundreds, perhaps thousands of others whose goals haven't been met. This post is for you...for us.
You are not alone. I join your ranks. At this point I'm sure your insecurities about your skills are being questioned on a daily basis. You must be asking yourself Why? Why has it not happened for me? I put in the endless hours...
Of course you have... It's not about that. You have the talent. It's just plain, old timing. I've come to believe that. WE have all heard it. But we must acknowledge this. Your story is not ready for this particular time. It can happen tomorrow, next month, or perhaps in several years. But believe it WILL happen. In the mean time. Keep writing. I tell myself that, but I have a hard time focusing on something new. I know you've all been there. But remember inspiration is all around us. OPEN your heart to it. Don't wallow. Don't stress it. Live. There is so much of life out there for us to enjoy. Take a moment for yourself. Step back and really look at your surroundings. This time of year, in particular, is AMAZING visually.
I plan to do that later today. The sun is shining. A crisp Autumn wind is blowing. I plan to enjoy it. Perhaps write a poem about it. Step away from your novel and just write. It's been a while for me, but it's TIME to create again. Before winter rolls in with a vengeance.
I know how hard it is. We all do. But look at our blogger buddies' successes! It's amazing. So many new published books. It amazes me how many novels are posted on our Ninja Captain's blog. Sometimes it overwhelms me...but I know some day my novel will be featured and so will YOURS.
Thank you, Alex. Your support of our community is endless and because of you we are able to post our insecurities and advice every first Wednesday of the month.
I honestly appreciate this as do the hundreds of others in our group.
Please visit as many IWSG posts as you can. They bring a smile to everyone who reads them. Knowing we have this support and knowing we are not going through our journey alone.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Well, Autumn has arrived. It's already October 1st and as the vestiges of Summer turn like the swaying leaves, brilliance abounds. Is there anything more beautiful than fall foliage? Eye popping hues of gold, red, orange, and burgundy. Such splendor.
You are not alone. I join your ranks. At this point I'm sure your insecurities about your skills are being questioned on a daily basis. You must be asking yourself Why? Why has it not happened for me? I put in the endless hours...
Of course you have... It's not about that. You have the talent. It's just plain, old timing. I've come to believe that. WE have all heard it. But we must acknowledge this. Your story is not ready for this particular time. It can happen tomorrow, next month, or perhaps in several years. But believe it WILL happen. In the mean time. Keep writing. I tell myself that, but I have a hard time focusing on something new. I know you've all been there. But remember inspiration is all around us. OPEN your heart to it. Don't wallow. Don't stress it. Live. There is so much of life out there for us to enjoy. Take a moment for yourself. Step back and really look at your surroundings. This time of year, in particular, is AMAZING visually.
I plan to do that later today. The sun is shining. A crisp Autumn wind is blowing. I plan to enjoy it. Perhaps write a poem about it. Step away from your novel and just write. It's been a while for me, but it's TIME to create again. Before winter rolls in with a vengeance.
I know how hard it is. We all do. But look at our blogger buddies' successes! It's amazing. So many new published books. It amazes me how many novels are posted on our Ninja Captain's blog. Sometimes it overwhelms me...but I know some day my novel will be featured and so will YOURS.
Thank you, Alex. Your support of our community is endless and because of you we are able to post our insecurities and advice every first Wednesday of the month.
I honestly appreciate this as do the hundreds of others in our group.
Please visit as many IWSG posts as you can. They bring a smile to everyone who reads them. Knowing we have this support and knowing we are not going through our journey alone.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
35 comments:
Your time WILL come, Michael! Believe. Your writing is so amazing. All in the timing, but it will happen when you are ready. (Because God has a funny way of doing that.)
Bravo for all the IWSG members! Your commitment to the ideals are amazing. I don't partake, but I do read some of the offerings and they can even inspire those of us who lurk for one reason on another. Congrats to you all and especially to the foresight of Alex, the Capt'n.
I really enjoy Fall but this year have extra worries which writing certainly helps. Posts like this one, Michael, lift the spirits of many. Thanks.
Timing is everything! Thanks for the words of encouragement. And thanks for visiting my blog on blitz day. You made my day!
Hi Michael - yes a new day a new dawn ... and this is the time for getting on with things and starting new projects, finishing off the old.
Let's get the timing working for us in the coming year ... cheers Hilary
Fall is my favorite time of year. And I seriously hope this is my time for my first novel to be published somewhere. I'm still not ready to self publish. I've been working on the first chapter re-write, but with the beautiful weather outside I prefer to be working in my yard and taking walks.
I am sure all good things will happen for you now Michael. Your generosity and energy is sure to be rewarded.
Don't wallow. Or as they say here in the south, don't waller.
Go enjoy the day. Fall days are to be treasured and you just might find that inspiration.
I love this group too. It does so much for writers. And you're so right - timing is everything.
Great Post, Michael. Yes, after we've queries our brains out, it's time to sit back and breathe. Sometimes, it can come down to pure luck when finding an agent. The agent might be overwhelmed with other clients, or not taking on new clients, but you don't know this, or just plain having a bad day. It doesn't mean you haven't written a good story. And yes, timing is everything!!!!
Truer words were never spoken (or typed :) ). Thanks for the pep talk, Michael, and just know you're in line for good things, too!
Oh, this just made me feel good! You are so right. Just keep going, look up at the world, keep creating and things will happen!
Super advice, Michael. I love this time of year. You're right about it being amazing visually. The smells of autumn are particularly appealing to me--the air smells different, crisp with the tang of fallen leaves, smoke from woodburning fireplaces (since in most places we can't burn leaves). Some days we can smell snow coming. (No, no, no. Not yet.)
yes our time will come ...and when it is my time... it will only be because of your help ...so thank you Michael :-)
Good advice and well-said!
Good advice. Keep on writing. So many "famous writers" had several books in the shelf before they wrote the Break Out Novel.
Enjoy the beautiful autumn, and write a poem about it! Thanks for visiting my blog.
I am waiting for fall to hit TX. We might have a day. And indeed, so much is timing and who you know and mingling in the writer community. I think you have to have fun with it, stay confident in your writing, and the right connection shall come along. Take care and breathe in the crisp air.
It's a slippery slope, waiting for YOUR TIME to come and watching others have success that always seems greater than your own. It seriously does not stop. Monday I shared with a private FB group that my editor had just sent me a great review from Kirkus on my next book. Ten minutes later, another author shared that she'd just received her FOURTH STARRED REVIEW for her next book and it was going to be featured in Publisher's Weekly.
Boy, did I deflate fast. Then I wondered if my own post had deflated someone who got a poor review. And I felt bad for having mentioned it at all.
A slippery slope of envy from start to finish. That's what this writing thing can turn into unless you keep putting one foot in front of the other, congratulate yourself on how far you've traveled, and keep your eyes off other people's journeys.
So important to remember to live and to remember that there is a beautiful and fulfilling life out there whether we get published or not. So much is based on being at the right place at the right time and luck. thanks for the great post.
I love Autumn! Very gorgeous time . . . sigh . . .
I also love your post. Inspiring. And your time WILL indeed come! :D
I love fall, particularly now that I live in New England, although Georgia had a stunning autumn as well. Even better, Salem has a month long Halloween celebration, which makes me giddy-happy. :-)
Excellent post, Michael. You're absolutely right, timing is everything in publishing—much more important than I ever thought possible when I started on this path. We have to focus on what we can control and that means the writing. Eventually our time will come.
VR Barkowski
Yes, let's enjoy life and the possibilities! Write, rest, and write again!
you're so positive I could eat you up!! in running shorts of course :D
Great pep talk, Michael! You've already proven yourself as an artist, and I know your new novel will also be a success!
Julie
I honestly do believe in you, that you will make it. Your writing is Indeed amazing. I thank you for your words also. It reminds me anxiety doesn't help any and things happen in the right time. Not sooner or later. Just when we are ready for them, at every level. Dragon hugs!
Hi Michael, I loved this post. It filled me with so much hope, hope that had flown out of the window in the past few weeks.
Our time will come, until then we must write, write and write some more.
Hope you had a great day enjoying autumn!
I wanted to thank you for your sweet words on my blog the other day. They warmed my heart. You are one of the most supportive people I know and I'm blessed to know you.
What a lovely post - full of heartfelt encouragement. I hope you're enjoying those wonderful fall leaves. :)
Great post! It really is the timing. I always say that it'll happen when it's meant to happen. That's how Hurricane Crimes was published. I am still trying to get representation for my other series, but I just tell myself, "It's not time yet, but it will be soon." ;)
Your spirit is inspiring! When I've been having the blues about one story, I definitely find that working on something else can work miracles as far as attitude goes.
It was SO much fun seeing you at Rumer's signing. My dad keeps commenting on what a help you were. Thank you, htank you for coming.
With each season comes some joy. The colors of fall always make me feel warm and introspective.
I'm sure your book(s) will find a home, Michael. You've got the perfect attitude to make that happen.
Hi Michael! Thanks for visiting and commenting on my post recently. I'd LOVE to have you review my book. Email me at gmail, karenjonesgowen and I'll send you an ARC for whenever you are ready. I haven't been blogging much lately as I've been under pressure to get the book done and out under the deadline. I need to get back into visiting my blogging friends because I MISS IT!!!! I also miss the changing of the seasons, hearing you talk about it. In Guatemala there are two seasons: the sunny season and the rainy season, each one lasting about 6 months. It's very odd to someone who's so used to the cycles of our four seasons in the northern climates.
It's easy to read about other people's successes and feel discouraged but actually it should be encouraging. When one author does well, it means it can happen for us, too. Most authors are battling some kind of insecurity, though. Either it's fear that we'll never sell or fear that we'll never sell again or fear that our book isn't doing well enough. I think somehow we have to find a way to focus on the only thing we can control--writing good books. Easier said than done, though, right?!
Thank you for posting this, Michael! I really needed to hear it today. This business can be so discouraging when you don't write what's in vogue at the moment. We just have to keep pressing forward!
Michael, wonderful words of encouragement. Your day will come! : )
Michael, your post was like a gentle hug. Thank you!
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