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Thursday, February 16, 2012

Pacing

 

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For years now, I’ve been hearing pace yourself, don’t take on too many projects…blah,blah…

But I’ve got a NOVEL about ready for the world to see and things keep kicking my butt putting me behind the eight ball. ***tantrum time***

The editor-for-hire tells me all the time ‘the book will be finished when it’s finished. Don’t rush it’.

A lot of people run a race to see who is the fastest. I run to see who has the most guts, who can punish himself into an exhausting pace, and then at the end, punish himself even more. Steve Prefontaine

Yes. I almost feel like I’m in a race but I haven’t figured out who I’m running against. Time, perhaps? Everyday I get older and I still have nothing published but I do have plenty written, including this blog.

You also need to look back, not just at the people who are running behind you but especially at those who who don’t run and never will…those who run but don’t race…. those who started training for a race but didn’t carry through…those who got to the starting line but didn’t in the finish line… those who once raced better than you but no longer run at all. You’re still here. Take pride in wherever you finish. Look at all the people you’ve outlasted. John Bingham

I have to say there are lot of peeps out there that only talk about writing a book never to attempt it.

What distinguishes those of us at the staring line from those on the couch is that we learn through running to take what the day gives us, what our body will allow us, and what our will can tolerate. Les Brown

Guess I could apply this quote to my writing life. Not every day is a good day. Sometimes my brain gets hazed over with a fog…writer’s block comes…our muses go on temporary vacations…family stuff can also squelch our creative process. We’re only human.

Adopt the pace of nature: Her secret is patience. Joe Henderson

You definitely need patience to write a novel. Lots and lots of it.

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it you will land among the stars. Les Brown

Keep plugging along and you’ll reap the benefits. Even if the whole world doesn’t read your best seller, some one or a whole lot of some one’s will and they’ll love it. And even if those some ones are your family and friends.

stars

 

Later in the ink all,

Shelly

26 comments:

  1. Well-said, Shelly. Nothing worth doing can be achieved by giving up.

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    1. Success is always around the corner when things start getting in the way.

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  2. I agree...it does happen when it happens, I think we "know" when it's finished. I am guilty of taking on too much, and then things I've promised end up on the back burner. I do apologize to my friends for that. But, you've written such a great book...you need to tell yourself every day that it will happen soon. I know we want things, like yesterday, but it happens when it happens.

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    1. Yes, it happens when it happens. We just have to keep plugging along.

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  3. Thanks Shelly, I needed this. I really am trying and when I get rejected it sets me back a few steps and my confidence gets shot in the buttocks.:)

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    1. Evie:

      You write wonderful stuff. Have you considered going Indie.

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  4. Well said, Shelly. And I love that Joe Henderson quote.

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  5. I'd give it all up, but I can't be bothered. So I might just as well keep writing.

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    1. Writing is in the blood. I beleive that about writers. They just can't help it.

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  6. Les Brown is one of my favorites. Another great thing he advises is to go for your dreams because you deserve it.

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    1. People need to have dreams. I see so many who have nothing. It's sad to see them lose thier purpose.

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  7. It does seem like a race against time. Wouldn't it suck to die with stories half-finished or not quite edited enough?

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  8. Great post! I can understand your urgency. I always count the days and want to do more and more before time runs out. there is an urgency just to get the first book out there. We end up pressuring ourselves, but yes, patience is great advice! And even with the first book, we always want to keep on trying to do more and more. But you are correct, we all have real lives that sometimes affects our creativity or interupts our writing scedule (that one I know only too well esp when you have kids and responsibilities). But we have to not only enjoy the finished product, we should take time to smell the roses and to enjoy the journey of writing the book, I suppose. We just have to remind ourselves of this. Good luck with your book! Take care!

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    1. Thank you, Lena. And thank you for the follow, too. I'll see you in the blogs and on Facebook, too.

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  9. The race against time, I know it well...
    You're close, Shelly. Very close. Just put one foot in front of the other. At this point it might feel like baby steps, but at least it's forward progress! (^;

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  10. Running around in circles, doing too much at one time and never getting anything done? Nahhhhhhh.....Never heard of such a thing :)

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  11. Shelly you are still on track! I can so relate to this post~
    I am so glad you wrote it! It really touched more than my mood, but deep feelings stirred. We can never give up...
    I have had more than my share of detours, but still hanging in there! (((hugs)))

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    1. Thank you and I'm glad I wrote something that other peeps can relate to. Nope. I'm not giving up.

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  12. Shelly,
    I posted on your Feb 7th post...I suffer, a similar fate...

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  13. Excellent quotes. Yes, being patient with our writing is most difficult. I loved the shoot for the moon one.

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