Thanks for dropping by on Monday for the return of the WEP. If you haven't heard, WRITE...EDIT...PUBLISH is back. So for those of you who LOVE Flash Fiction drop down to my previous post.
Once again it is the first Wednesday of the month and thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh, we can post about our anxieties about life, writing, and our deepest darkest fears. As well as lending support and advice for those who need a lift. Such a great way to start the month. Don't you think?
So please pop over to Alex's "List" and visit those who need encouragement or to read about some wonderful advice from others.
Today I'd like to talk about timing and new beginnings. How often have we started over, changing our course or direction. Even the best laid out plans can crumble. I should know. Spending six months planning my move only to end up with frustration and back to to where I started. It happens to all of us.
But you can learn from this. I have always believed in timing. If the timing is off, then this course or journey is not the right one. So we have to pull ourselves back up off the ground and continue. Mull things over and plan a new direction. It's the same for our writing. You can outline plots, characters, scenes, etc. and then begin to write. It may be smooth sailing at the beginning and everything seems to fall right into place...then...WHAM! You're knocked on your butt.
What do you do?
Giving up is NEVER an option. So, you pick yourself up and start over. Eventually it will run smoothly again. IF not, CHANGE your course completely. Maybe focus on a different character. Change the tense, or simply put the project away for a while. Take a walk. Clear your head. Have lunch with a friend. OR... reach out to you blogger pals. Shoot an email to a CP. It may help TWEAK the situation to your favor.
As for me. At this time, I am concentrating on other things. Leaving my "HOME" worries behind and delving back into our FINE community. Re-aquanting myself with my blogger buddies, and psyching myself up for the SCBWI conference at the end of this month. I have LOTS of revisions to do on my first novel, which is now the time to do it.
Keep your minds and hearts open and all will work out. Always believe that everything happens for a reason and how we REACT to it shows us how strong we really are and gives us character. Life's experiences strengthens us and not to mention we have some great stories to write about!
Have a wonderful day everyone! Celebrate Life and HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!
37 comments:
The real wisdom comes when we have to decide to either keep pushing forward down that path or start a new one.
Great attitude, Michael. It will all come together at the right time.
Always keep a positive attitude, even when that character building stuff is no fun.
Your positive attitude picked me right up this morning. Making the best of where we are right now and keep on plowing forward.
Susan Says
I too believe in timing being key for success in whatever we do. My husband and I tried to sell a house once and move to Minnesota. It was on the market for 3 months without a nibble so we took it off. Then several years later, a house we loved came up for sale in the same neighborhood where we lived in Utah and I said, "I'm not going through this again! If this move is right, our house will sell by Friday." It was Tuesday when I said that. I really wanted the new place but with a large family going through the whole process of selling without success wasn't something I wanted to do again. My husband made a few phone calls and guess what-- he had a buyer for it by Friday. We were so happy in our new home and new neighborhood. We lived there for 13 years and it was a wonderful place for us and our children. I just don't believe in banging down doors to make things happen. The well-lit path that opens up to us naturally and easily is often the best one to take, at least it's always been that way for me.
What a great attitude, Michael. You are inspiring. It's hard starting over. Hard but necessary. Great post.
Diane IWSG #99
I admire your attitude and you're so right about the timing, even though that can be hard to accept sometimes. So glad you're going to SCBWI, can't wait to hear about your adventures there.
Very cool pep talk Michael. I always love your sunny outlook, even in the worst of adversity. That is hard to maintain. I hope all goes well for you on your new start, and also at SCBWI.
Cool that WEP is back. I know Yolanda and Denise will infuse it with energy and new life.
Hey Michael, You so rock. Thank you so much for everything! Your post is right on, and your recent email meant the world! A new day has dawned and a new journey awaits!
If the timing isn't right it won't work, or what you want most won't happened. That was the story of my life for about ten years and now things are looking up. I have my new beginning. And so do you. :)
Beautiful, inspiring message, Michael!
Yes, I do believe everything happens for a reason! Our characters we write will be much more authentic when we go through the ups and downs and disappointments in life.
A masterpiece is made one brushstroke at a time. Here's to you creating a masterpiece of the rest of this year! :-)
You're always so wise, Michael! I never force open doors. As the right ones open, I walk through them. If one doesn't open; it wasn't meant for me. It's not failure; it's redirection.
It's been a philosophy that has served me well in this life.
I so agree with you on this. I've found it to be very true as I've been going through my challenges in losing my husband and job and now getting ready for my daughter to leave for college in the fall. Things do work out. Sometimes getting there can be hard and it can be hard to see while you're in the middle of the challenges.
You offer up some very good advice here, Michael. Thank you! Happy 4th to you too!
You inspired me to smile today.
Hugs, Michael. I hope your home situation gets resolved soon.
IWSG #123 until Alex culls the list again.
Always keep your heart and mind open.
I've had a few things knock me on my rear end in the writing world recently -- along with a lot of good things which somehow still didn't prevent the aforementioned butt-kicking. I've had my insecurities, my doubts, my "What the heck did I get myself into?" self-questioning ...
And then there are those lucid moments where I stand up, dust off my behind, and start moving forward again -- eager to see what's going to happen next. Sounds like you're in the same place! *fist bump*
What a wonderful post. You're absolutely right about new beginnings. I'm finally getting to the place where I can begin embracing the 'new' me. It's been a struggle, but it shows that with faith, family, friends, drive and determination, wonders can be accomplished - even if the spirit feels a little banged up sometimes. Best of luck with everything! Have a great night. Eva
I'm still hopeful you'll make it to Florida one day. In the meantime, lots to learn and do, eh? Best wishes in your preparation for the conference!
Happy Fourth of July! I love how you believe in timing. Michael. Life has a way of coming together in ways unimaginable. Thanks for giving again...to WEP. Karma!
You've got a great novel, you just need a great publisher!
Denise :-)
Great advice. Keeping your mind and heart open helps you find new beginnings.
Your post is yelling at me. I've been struggling with one novel now... it's very dear to my heart. I'm working on my THIRD tense and/or POV change. I'm thinking I finally found it.
Happy 4th of July.
Wonderful advice. I can be a bit stubborn so it's always a good reminder that it's okay to change directions and try something new.
Reminds me of that quote--life is what happens when you're making other plans.
Sometimes you've got to live life, not just map it out. Hope you have a wonderful summer!
Happy Independence day! I hope everything works out for you. Thank you for keeping a positive mind and reminding us to do the same.
That's perfect advice for writers who get stuck - and most of us do. I'm glad you're taking your house situation in stride and concentrating on other things. I hope you have a great time at the convention. Good luck on the revisions!
Great advice, Michael.
Thank you!
Happy 4th July to all my American friends!
I used to be a regular at the SCBWI conference. Enjoy!
Play off the Page
Terrific attitude, Michael. Timing is everything. It’s so important to keep moving forward, and we can only do that if we’re honest with ourselves. You make such an important point: starting over is moving forward, making the same mistake over and over is not.
Happy Fourth of July!
VR Barkowski
catching up a bit! It sounds like it's been a rough winter/spring. I hope things work themselves out for you in one way or another.. Maybe you should more this direction? i know it sounds silly but we don't have nearly as brutal as winter ad Chicago. Really!
Sounds like your mind is in the right place. And I sometimes wonder about timing...
Happy 4th :)
I can very much relate to this post. I had mapped out a new story, ready to go, but when I had another look at the outline, I had to be honest with myself. It just wasn't working. It can be so frustrating! I'm currently taking a break from it while mulling over other possibilities for the story.
Taking a different approach is often what needs to happen. There's always another way; finding it is the challenge.
Hope your Fourth was wonderful. I'm still in catch up mode after my June break.
Timing is everything, you are so right - but attitude is equally important and you have a great one. It will serve you well because all of life is a series of ups and downs. Love the way you go forward, Michael! :-)
Very true, Michael. Even the best made plans can't anticipate life butting in. And it seems to be during those times when our devised plans falter, we learn the most.
I know you just visited me over on my site and have read my news. I can't tell you how many times I've questioned my decision two years ago to sign with an agent instead of taking one of the offers I'd received. And then now, my experience over the past month ... all I can do is chalk it up to timing and God. I have no other explanation. The timing is just nuts. Only a few weeks ago, I blogged about how publishing slows down during the summer months. And what happens? I receive offers. #shakeshead Heck if I'll ever figure it out.
But I think that's part of the charm of living. As much as we hate to admit it, these experiences really do mold us into better people.
Hope you're having a productive summer, Mikey!
I'm looking forward to experiencing the conference vicariously through you :-)
Glad you're finally getting some summer weather -- we're having a heat wave and all I want to do is go swimming every day -- not conducive to the day job or the writing :P
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