A couple weeks ago after my live critque group was wrapping up, one of the critters said, "If I knew writing a book would've been this much work I wouldn't have started it."
My eyes went wide, and I'm sure my jaw about unhinged itself.
"How about you?" The critter asked, giving me doe eyes. "Would you have started this if you would've known what you know now about writing a book?" I know the critter wanted me to agree with her.
"No," I said. "I can't say that I regret any of it." That was all I had to say to her but I went home that evening and really thought about it. Did I regret writing my book?
I can honestly say, I have absolutely no regrets. However, I do have other things I regretted in my life. Not finishing law school. Marrying the wrong men. Not staying in a certain field of work. My regret list is long, and I can always share the rest later if the spirit moves me. But I can't say I regret writing a book or the other ones waiting on my 4GB drives to come alive or the ones running through my mind as I write this post.
If anything its been a welcoming challenge in my life. And I have to say I love challenges and learning new things. There were so many things I had no clue about, especially about myself.
And I'd like to share those things with you.
1. I learned to organize my time efficiently.
2. I learned proper grammar and sentence structure.
3. I learned about all the different gadgets my computer has and can pretty much finagle my way through it no matter how frustrating.
4. I learned I've got more patience than any saint could ever have. It takes a lot of this to write a book.
5. I've learned how to take constructive criticism and use it toward my stories advantage.i
6. I've met a lot of wonderful and supportive people.
7. I can live my life without television except maybe two of my favorite shows. The Walking Dead and Fringe.
8. I've learned when I think I can't stretch anything else out of my story, I CAN.
9. I've got an eye for detail now and a mind that can think analytically.
10. I can finish a project no matter how long it takes.
If anything, I've got pretty strong writing muscles out of the deal compared to four years ago. I’ve got no regrets, baby.
How about any of you? Any regrets?
That’s all for now folks!
See you all later in the ink!
Shelly
