WRITING QUOTE - December 22, 2014

Striving to achieve a dream is never a waste of time.

- Félix J. Palma, The Map of Time  - 

I used to think that striving for a dream was a waste of time if it took too long. I don't believe that now, as long as I don't let the dream stop me from living my life to the fullest.  

I write. I live. And my life gives breath to my writing in some of the quirkiest ways.

WRITING QUOTE - December 19, 2014

Always do your best. Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstances, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

- Miguel Angel Ruiz - 

Enough said. Keep writing. No matter what. 

WRITING QUOTE - December 18, 2014

Nothing ever becomes real till it is experienced.

- John Keats - 

The truth to becoming a writer is to write. And then to be known as a writer is to finish and submit, again and again.

I read an article where the author said something to this affect: there are a lot of great writers out there, but we never hear from them because they don't finish. 

For me, finishing is not just the writing and revision process. Finishing is taking the action to put the piece out there, in the world, where people might read it. Finishing was the part I faltered on, primarily because of fear, judgment, and condemnation (my own). 

It is important for me to follow the writing process all the way through, past the revision and polishing process, to querying and submitting, and then I know, for myself, that I've done it all, regardless of the outcome, regardless if another reads it or publishes it. I know I followed through for me. 

I'm not hiding my writing because of what I think, and really in all actuality, making decisions for other people by telling myself they wouldn't like my writing is me taking away their dignity--they can make their own choices. 

I need to only make my choice, which is to write and finish, and let them decide for themselves, whoever they may be, if they like what I've written or not. 

Either way, whether they like it or not, or publish it, I'm not going to stop writing. Not this girl. No way. 

WRITING QUOTE - December 16, 2014

A pen is to me as a beak is to a hen.

- J. R. R. Tolkien - 

Me too. I carry pen and paper with me wherever I go. On those rare moments when I don't have pen and paper, I've improvised.

WRITING QUOTE - December 15, 2014

To live for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the top.

- Robert M. Pirsig - 

I relate this to my writing, and a number of other things. Several years ago, writing was a means to an end, to attain the proverbial arrival at fame and fortune. Of course, my sights were set other than where they needed to be. I eventually changed my stance, decided to look around, and enjoy the action of writing, right now, as it is in this moment. 

I have since appreciated the adventure of writing more and become a better writer because of it. Imagine, moving my gaze from what can be to what is and working from there; progress is made and rather steadily.

The mountain's sides do give me what I need, and I seem to stumble way less.