This is the first in a series of positive thoughts for writers. I think the best thing we can do in this community is build each other up and support one another as creative individuals. These are some of my thoughts, some of the things that have worked for me. I hope they will speak to you as well.
--Raine
Last year, on my birthday, I set off on a journey. I called it The Year of Writing Dangerously and I was guided by one principle: write bravely. No matter what, don't let the fear (or in my case, the obsessive thoughts) rule you.
Be bold, be true, be lionhearted in all your writing endeavors.
Exactly one year later, I released my very first ever published novella.
I'm not saying that setting off on a 365 day journey of brave writing = publication. Besides, publication is not always the end-all goal. But I am saying that writing despite a head full of little demon doubts is the greatest feeling in the world!
I kept a journal of each brave day and it's interesting now to go back and re-read it. The doubts and the successes, the frustrations and the excitement. The day I'd given up hope that Dreamspinner Press would ever want me and the day after when I got to write: I signed the contract.
Writing bravely isn't about not having those fears and self-doubts, but instead, moving through them, for yourself and for your goals.
I proved to myself that I could be brave. Now, I'm trying to decide what my next journey should be. The Year of Writing __ ? I'm excited to see what I can do with another 365 days. What will you do with your year?
First of all, congratulations on your first published novella!
ReplyDeleteThis post is so welcome, thanks for sharing it!
Write bravely -- a great calling, instead of so many posts on do's and don'ts.
What l find everywhere is an immense pressure to write boringly -- what words to use and use not, lenghth of sentences, desired characters, perfects archs, how to plot accordingly... Argh!
Your message here is so positive! I am going to share your post and shall come back to it.
And I have enjoyed being reminded of the movie "The Year of Living Dangerously", too... Haven't seen it in a long time, thank you!
Andante! I'm so glad you liked the post :) (THANK YOU!)
DeleteI've been sort of stressed lately by the "This is the way you *should* write!" And other 'no, no, no, don't, don't, don't' advice floating around out there. Let's talk about what we CAN do instead of what we can't! <3
Great post! I think we all have those nagging awful doubts and it's so easy to let them get us down. Thank you for sharing your story--and your writing--with the rest of the world :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words, H.B.!!
DeleteSuch a great post! It's true. Fear is the only thing that really holds us back. Congratulations on completing your Year of Writing Dangerously!
ReplyDelete*^__^* THANK YOU so much! Now I've got to come up with a whole new year of writing something-ly!
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