Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Up In Smoke


I know all about how easily things can go up in smoke.  When I was sixteen I decided one day to attempt to bake some cookies.  It didn't matter to me that I didn't have the right ingredients or that I really didn't know what I was doing.  I presumed it couldn't be that hard to do and with the eagerness of ignorance propelling me forward, I called myself a baker.  I threw a few things together and put my creation in the oven to bake while I went to celebrate my easy victory over the cookie problem.



Forty-five minutes later black smoke was rolling out of the kitchen and I quickly realized that there was more to this baking thing than I first thought.



For me, writing is kinda like baking.  You have to have the right ingredients to produce a finished product that the world can enjoy.  People who presume that it isn't too difficult to write a picture book story will usually throw something together based on little writing skill and claim they are a writer.  Just a little smoke clouding their judgement.


These writers might even say their creation MUST be great because their neighbor's child loved it.  And if they go so far as let a critique group look at it and the comments aren't so favorable, those writers simply think THEY must not know a great work of art when they see it.  That smokescreen is making it really hard to see things clearly.


Maybe when things get a little hazy in our writing we need to stop a moment and read the signals?  Maybe all that smoke is trying to tell us a necessary ingredient is missing?  It takes training, skill, open mindedness, dedication to improvement, and luck to become a successful children's book author.  If we just start throwing things together, do we run the risk of everything going up in smoke?



I'd rather take my time and train to be a strong writer.  Make sure I have all the right ingredients in my work so that the path in front of me is free of distracting smoke.  I can clearly see my destination.  All I have to do is stay on the right path.

Looks like smooth sailing straight ahead.







18 comments:

  1. Nice post, Donna. Thanks for the blog visit. I'm coming over from Rach's campaign. Good to meet you. = )

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    1. Nice to meet you to, Melissa! Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  2. Loooove this analogy, Donna! And so true. I think as writers, we "hear" about over night successes when in all actuality that isn't the truth. New follower here... looks like a fab blog! I'll be excited for your future posts :D

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    1. Thanks, Morgan! I created this blog because I knew I could use some inspiration as a beginner writer so I thought other people might enjoy it as well. Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  3. Hi Donna, great post! I agree, it takes time, skill and practise to be a good writer. Can't wait to read you other posts.

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    1. Thanks, Regina, for stopping by! Lol...I'm glad you like my posts...and you will only have to wait until tomorrow to get another one! In the meantime you could always read some of my other musings...;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  4. Once at a writer's conference I told an agent that I gave my mother my manuscript to read. The agent rolled his eyes. Further more, I said, my mother thought this was the biggest load of crap she'd ever read! He was so taken back by this unexpected comment that he asked me to send him pages. Alas; not for him.

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    1. Awww, but what a lovely story you can tell others...the day you surprised an agent! Lol...I'm sorry things didn't turn out as you had hoped. Thanks, Stephen, for stopping by and come back any time!

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  5. Great analogy, Donna!

    I love Stephen's story!

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    1. Yeah, Beth, I surprise myself sometimes that I am able to say the same thing in basically a hundred different ways...lol

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  6. How true! Along with that skill, a little luck helps too!
    Stopping by to say 'hi' from the Platform Builder campaign.

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    1. Hi, Dawn, and welcome! I am looking forward to the challenge of the PBC...here's hoping I survive it! ;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  7. Hello there! I'm a fellow campaigner from group 1. Just dropping by to say hello! Can't wait to start following your blog.

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    1. Hi, Melody, and welcome! I think I have "followed" everyone in my group and am looking foward to the campaign!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  8. I love your creative blog! Just saying hello from Campaing group 1.

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    1. Hi, Marcy, and thank you! I have only been blogging since Dec 2011 and my goal is to post every day for a year...now let's see...how many days do I have left??? ;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  9. Another inspiring post to keep us on "track"... Thanks Donna

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    1. Well, Diane, I try...and try...and try...;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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