There's no such thing as "impossible". The word itself says "I'm Possible".
~ unknown
***
Wow. That is a heavy statement for a writer.
We all know that inside each of us are stories dying to be shared with the world. Yet how often do we hear the comment "anyone can write a book"? Yes, anyone can. But can they write it so that it moves you, so that it makes you close your eyes and discover emotions, so that it evokes belief or questions your stance, so that it opens the minds of young people, so that it causes reflection in those who are older, so that it carves a niche for generations to come or that it becomes the closest friend to someone in need.
Writing is hard. But without the challenge we would not grow, nor would we appreciate the lessons. I read blogs every day, each of us searching for balance with our writing, our dayjob, our families, our friends... our to do lists. They seem to grow not shrink with each passing day. Often we ask others for help in how to manage them...there is no right answer, there is no wrong answer. Our constant is our writing. It is the believing that "impossible" really is just the words I'm Possible thrown together.
Each of us are learning to cultivate a craft that has rules, similarities, ideas but yet are told to discover what makes our voice unique, against the grain, stand out. It can be confusing and sometimes disheartening. I don't think that writing is easy. I do think anyone can do it, but I don't want to be just anyone. I want to write something that becomes a young woman or boys best friend, that stirs passion, that builds bridges, that burns through the senses and leaves you craving more.
The writing is what keeps me moving despite the lack of balance.
I want to be someone who is constantly learning how to do it well and always searching for ways to be Possible. If that means that the balance is forever just beyond my reach so be it - as long as I am still reaching.
What keeps you surging forward when the balance never seems to come?
***
Out & About the Blogosphere!
Shannon over at Book Dreaming reminds us all that we are a part of something special!
Shelli at Market My Words is hosting an Agent Pitch Contest! Yep, you heard me! You have until tomorrow 12 EST! Hurry go make your pitch!
Summer over at ....and this time concentrate asks how you write? In Sequence - out of sequence - you own system?
She's doing it again guys!!! Shannon Messenger is giving away and awesome signed book + swag: THE BODY FINDER!!! (but don't enter, you don't need it...*scurries off to enter a hundred times*) ;o)
Liz over at Cleverly Inked is giving away $60 CSN Giftcard! contest ends 6-30-2010 Check out their website HERE open only to US & Canada
Thanks for the shout-out.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this post...something I should print out and tape above my computer screen!
What a great way to kick off my writing week. :-)
Sometimes I think I might give it all up if I could. But my brain just won't let it die. I'm itching to write all the time.
ReplyDeleteI agree about being a lifelong learner and constantly improving my craft. Great post!
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."
ReplyDeleteI believe Walt Disney said that. ;)
Great links! Be sure to check out my contest winners post today.
Too right there never seems to be any balance. I suppose, though, if we don't keep pushing through, we might as well lock ourselves up in a box for the rest of our lives - and THAT is just boring. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your thoughts on writing. It really is a journey, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome post Courtney, Bravo!!! And everything is possible if you just believe it is.
ReplyDeleteWhoo, boy! The balance. Yeah, it always comes down to the balance. Between home renovations, summer garden chores, kiddo duty, dayjob stuff, and all the usual real life jazz, the writing seems to sometimes take a back seat. But for all that I call this stuff "real life," my fiction sometimes seems the most real thing there is. Strange, that.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I make time for it.
I really enjoyed reading this. You're so right -anyone can write a book, but it takes a writer to make it one that people want to read.
ReplyDeleteWow the quote itselt was powerful but then you go and write an equally as awesome post to back it up!
ReplyDeleteAnyone can write a book, but the passion and hard work is what makes people want to read it. What inspiration for today!
Awesomely inspirational post!
ReplyDeleteI feel like writing now. Wow. This was seriously inspirational... I didn't think you could go anywhere after a quote like that. You proved me wrong.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on winning Karen's contest!
Loved this post and thanks for the quote. It really inspired and encouraged me today! Balance- i think I'll never find it because just as the scale seems balanced, something else in life happens that throws it off. Sometimes it's annoying, but that's what makes it an adventure.
ReplyDeleteThis was a wonderful post. Very inspiring. I don't know if I'll ever find the balance. I just do what I can each day, try to write at least a little. Life happens and I just kind of go with it!
ReplyDeleteI love the feeling of feeling like I am improving. that is the best!
ReplyDeleteSummer - You are so welcome! Hon - I loved your post! Thank you so much - it is such a compliment to have someone bookmark or print ouat an entry. ;o) I am glad it helps to start out what I am sure will be a productive week!
ReplyDeleteJanet - Yes we cannot give up - it is our own little drug but the good kind, like sunshine, that we must take in doses and realize that gray days will come in but we must push past them ;o)
Karen - Walt had so many awesome comments and dreams...I still tear up when I think of all that he missed out on seeing complete, but he had the vision and he knew it would happen so I guess that is all we can ask for. I shot over to your blog earlier - GIRL THANK YOU! I already loved you but now I add your mom to the list ;o)
Jessica (T.A.A.)- Yes that box would be awful! I do know that if they gave me some markers in my box the walls would be pretty... ;o) So glad that we are able to be Possible.
Betty - Thank you so much for stopping by the Kingdom. Yes ma'am! It is an awesome journey worth every bump and bruise ;o)
Anne (T.P.W) - lol Thanks. It was one of those moments this morning where this particular quote was exactly what I needed. Keep believing..always... ;o)
Simon - Boy are you right about the 'real stuff' and writing being more 'real' than anything else...I often feel that way. I think that sometimes it is what is more real AT that moment - for a writer so much in our heads is more reality than the one in front of us. We just have to remember the characters are there in order to take care of, to enlighten and to entertain the 'real' people who love us.
Talli - always a pleasure to see you in the Kingdom! I am so glad you enjoyed the post. Like you, I want to be the writer who has people itching to read their work... ;o)
Jen - thank you so much for your sweet comment! I am glad today's post was able to share even the tiniest bit of inspiration. A pleasure to see you in the Kingdom! ;o)
KarenG - I appreciate the kind comment! Always good to see you in the Kingdom!
Melissa - thanks for the congrats (I am ecstatic about that contest ;o) ) I am so glad that you enjoyed the post and that it put you into the writing mood! Thank you so much for visiting the Kingdom today!
Kelly - yes the balance is a constant search, but keep searching. It is that need to work on it and make it better that makes US better at what we love! I am so glad you enjoyed the post! As always a pleasure to see you in the Kingdom ;o)
Renae - That is exactly the way I try to approach my life. Just enjoy every minute, go with it but never stop looking for even more things to learn...the more we know the better at our craft we become! I am so glad you enjoyed the post ;o)
PJ - Always a pleasure to have you in the Kingdom! Yes, that feel that I am getting better, learning, expanding my vocabulary, my abilities etc...it pushes me to do more and to want to do more. Such a feeling! I am glad you enjoyed the post!
What a good post! I needed this today :) Thanks!
ReplyDelete"What keeps you surging forward when the balance never seems to come?"
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's the pure beauty of words and the possibility of what happened to me today...
While working on an insertion for my WIP, a dialogue unfolded before me that I couldn't have planned. (Some of my greatest dialogues and character discoveries come about this way.) As the conversation ended, I was moved to tears at my MC's reminiscence as if her story had nothing to do with me. Then I realized she couldn't have told it without my help, and I cried with joy.
Great post - I want to make a difference to someone with my writing too. Even if it's an afternoon's safe haven for a kid who really needs it...
ReplyDeleteI always adore your energy and passion, Courtney. :) You make me happy.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Lola
Hello my dear, It's been a while. What a quote to live by.
ReplyDeleteIt really annoys me when someone says 'anyone can be a writer, millions of people write books every year'
ReplyDeletespecially when the person saying it certainly hasn't done it!
"but I don't want to be just anyone. I want to write something that becomes a young woman or boys best friend, that stirs passion, that builds bridges, that burns through the senses and leaves you craving more." *sigh* So beautiful, Courtney!
ReplyDeleteYay! I made the round-up! You have no idea how thrilled that makes me! LOL! :-)
Girl, I like your style! Thusly, there's a little something over at my place for you. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are ALWAYS so encouraging! I need to wend my way over here more often :) Thanks for the kind words over on my blogfest. I always appreciate you stopping by!
ReplyDeleteLove these words...and the sentiment behind them. I am so happy I get to orbit around you! :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's definitely the "always learning" aspect of writing that draws me. That, and I find it too cool to get to read other people's books before they're published :-)
ReplyDelete