Taking a Chance

Today, I am stuck in Joss Whedon mode, and that's okay. I appreciate the man's thought process and writing style. 

His work also has me thinking about my work, and the fact that I've been doing this thing for 20 years and haven't really moved forward with getting my stuff out to the masses. I mean, really? Who does that? I have tons of completed projects, but why haven't I shared them with the world? I know focusing on my children has played a role, plus other life changes. But, come on, isn't it time to start doing something with my work? This is what I've wanted for a long time. Isn't it time to kick it up a notch? Isn't it time to take a chance? 

Maybe you have been waiting for some sign that it's time to take your writing to the next level. Well, here it is. 

Put yourself out there. If you are worried, like me, that your work isn't perfect enough, well, here's a newsflash for you: It will never be perfect enough. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't proofread and edit your work. However, it does mean that there comes a time when you have to cut the apron strings and let it go.

Friends, the new year is coming. It's time to decide what you are going to do with it. 

Keep on writing and Happy New Year! 

New Beginnings

With the new year around the corner, what will you move forward with regarding your writing? What you will choose to accomplish? 

I find that we would rather hold back our passion than suffer judgement from others. I completely get that! Who wants to endure the haters? Who really wants to get stepped on? 

I have mentioned in past posts that, no matter who you are, Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, or Anne Rice, you will have your work ripped apart. It happens. 

The fact is, you have to not care what others think. Of course, always measure constructive criticism with logic. But, you are the one writing the book...it's yours and yours alone. When you come across someone who doesn't care for your work, it means it didn't resonate with them. And, that's okay. 

So, what do you do? You keep moving forward, and, with the new year starting, it's time to decide how you will move forward. Will you decide that your writing is important and deserves your undivided attention? Will you decide that, no matter what, you will make your writing as important as eating? 

Dear friends, take the time right now to decide how you want next year to look. You, and only you, can create it. 

Keep on writing! 

Moving On After a Crappy Review

No matter what you write, you are going to come face to face with those people who disagree with it, hate it, love it, or view it in a completely different way than what you intended. 

Here's the thing about the perspective of the reader: it is subjective. Everyone has a different viewpoint on what they are reading and experiencing. Some will find that what they are reading triggers something in them that they can't understand or choose not to face. Some might think the writing is degrading or possibly cheesy. Maybe they feel the writing is forced. Whatever the reason, people will always have their own opinion. (See previous blog post on pleasing others.)

Just remember that, whatever happens, you cannot take this personally. Attempting to get everyone to like you and your work will eat up your time best spent writing. Let's focus on what's important here: the writing part. 

This isn't to say that you shouldn't take into consideration what the reviewer said; we all can benefit from these experiences. However, make sure to ask yourself if the reviewer is providing constructive feedback or do they simply love to hate?  Are they saying something that will help enhance your writing? Sometimes people come into our lives to help us expand our viewpoint, and it's in that moment that we are taken to another level. 

Your writing will always be changing, evolving, and growing. This is a good thing. Just keep moving forward and keep on writing.

Nanowrimo is Over... Now What?

Now that Nanowrimo is done for another year, how do you feel? 

Are you upset because you didn't make 50,000 words? 

Are you upset because you feel that you've written crap? 

What do you do with yourself now that the frenzy is over? 

What do you do with what you've written? 

Well, firstly, if you didn't make the 50,000 word limit, don't beat yourself up. In the 5 years (I think it was 5) that I participated in Nano, I completed it once. Do I care? Nope. Not really. My life is busy. I have a job, kids, a household to care for, and other writing clients...it's a juggle. 

Secondly, if you feel you've written crap...well, ya, you probably have. You just clumped together 50,000 words in a short period of time, there's a good chance that it won't be a cohesive story at this point. That's why you have to edit, proofread, etc, etc. You've laid the foundation, now you have to build on it. 

Thirdly, do not bother beating yourself up about not doing it all in 30 days... it's not worth it. What you do next with your writing is what's important. 

What will you do next? Maybe take a break from that project to refresh your mind. Maybe start a different project. Then, a month later, come back to your Nano story and start re-working it. 

The main thing is to keep moving forward. 

Nobody But You by Charles Bukowski 

nobody can save you but

yourself.

you will be put again and again

into nearly impossible

situations.

they will attempt again and again

through subterfuge, guise and

force

to make you submit, quit and/or die quietly

inside.

nobody can save you but

yourself

and it will be easy enough to fail

so very easily

but don’t, don’t, don’t.

just watch them.

listen to them.

do you want to be like that?

a faceless, mindless, heartless

being?

do you want to experience

death before death?

nobody can save you but

yourself

and you’re worth saving.

it’s a war not easily won

but if anything is worth winning then

this is it.

think about it.

think about saving your self.

Keep on writing, my friends.