At 6:30 a.m. this morning, I was jogging and trying to catch up with my walking friends. After a few minutes, I decided that I didn't want to catch up. I needed to sort some things out in my mind and also think what I wanted to do today.
It wasn't light yet, there were stars out and one stood out more than all the others. It was the brightest start.
Through this beautiful shining star, I had a moment of clarity and truth. The truth was subtle and yet sharp and precise. I could be my own shining star. I had to be my own shining start. I had to be my own cheerleader, my own best friend.
If I wanted to progress in this writing path that I have chosen, I need to quit making excuses and just do it. I need to quit waiting for someone to discover me or hold my hand. I need to send my Christian Novella manuscript to publishers and not be afraid of rejection.
After all, T.S. Elliot, a British Poet and critic (1888-1965) said, Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go
Today I vow to get out my finished manuscript and stop being afraid of rejection. If it is never accepted, I will know that I have tried.
I probably should take a formal writing class. I should write every single day. Kindling is what keeps the fire burning. (Kindling will stay burning long enough to get the larger fuel ignited; therefore if I keep writing, perhaps a larger inspiration or idea will come.)
I think it is the same for everything one wants from life. The answers are all inside of us. God has made us that way.
Sometimes, when it seems we are progressing too slowly towards our goal, we need to think about the following fable The Crow And The Pitcher:
A Crow, half-dead with thirst, came upon a Pitcher which had once been full of water; but when the Crow put its beak into the mouth of the Pitcher he found that only very little water was left in it, and that he could not reach far enough down to get at it. He tried, and he tried, but at last had to give up in despair. Then a thought came to him, and he took a pebble and dropped it into the Pitcher. Then he took another pebble and dropped it into the Pitcher. Then he took another pebble and dropped that into the Pitcher. Then he took another pebble and dropped that into the Pitcher. Then he took another pebble and dropped that into the Pitcher. Then he took another pebble and dropped that into the Pitcher. At last, at last, he saw the water mount up near him, and after casting in a few more pebbles he was able to quench his thirst and save his life.
Little by little does the trick.
Francine Larson:
Co-Author of Character Keys to a Bright Future.
She is currently writing for The Pasco Shopper (Fl.) and The Highlands at Scotland Yards. Also writes poetry and short stories.She has a new personal web site:http://thedragonflylady.com/
Neat story - now go do it! I haven't sent anything to a potential publisher since the 1970s (got one piece published and a bazillion rejection slips - the one published was a piece I thought was "ho-hum") SO maybe you will encourage me to get it together. Having a blast writing for SW, World Wide Bible Studies and Fiath Writers - should take some of the free classes FW offers too.... if I ever get a check for writing now it will be a cherry on top! Marijo (Mary Jo is how it is pronounced)
On the Faith Writers website there are many, many classes offered. You can become a member for free or pay $10/month for additional benefits (I am in that group but can't tell you all the benefits just off the top) Also was told if you haven't had at least 100 rejection slips you aren't really a writer....Marijo
Really nice article, Fran. I especially like the kindling metaphor. Very true. Rejection slips can be interesting, frustrating or humerous. My favorite was this; "I wasn't sufficiently enthused to pursue your book further." :) I've been told F Scott Fitzgerald papered his walls with rejections slips before ever getting published.
Yeah, for some reason it tickled my funny bone. Then I had fun fantasizing about when my book hit the best seller list and I'd write back to him, using a line from Pretty Woman..."Remember me? Big mistake." LOL
» left by Paul Schroeder from nyc (21 days 7 hours ago.)
MY star has supernoved! Rejection anxiety is much easier to cope with,I think, for husbands than it is for wives,as we've had SO much experience with it over the years, in our marriages.I even recall being at a hotel where next to the bed it had a card on the phone which said;"call this ext. for maid room service bed turn down service"; I called the number and I heard a woman's voice which said;"I wouldn't sleep with you, if you were the LAST man, on Earth!"(That's a joke) . Rejection for writers is easy to get used to once you've had lots of it (I have a desk drawer FULL of literary rejection notices from the finest magazines and publications) Sooner or later-with me, much later-you'll publish and be paid for writing; you'll find out as did I, that it's most lucrative:Paul Schroeder
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