Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Traveling The Information Highway



I've blogged before about writers being on the path to publication and how this is a wonderful writing community in which we all play a part.  But I don't think I've ever actually talked about the path itself.  As little as a year ago I would have called myself a "newbie" to the writing world, taking my first virgin steps along what I thought was a solitary path toward my goal of being a published author.  I expected to struggle to find out what  I would need to become a strong, polished writer and wondered if I would ever fully understand all that is involved with the commercial side of writing.




To my surprise, I did not find myself on that solitary dirt path for long.  I discovered there were many books on the subject of writing already out there and soon my dirt road became a cobblestone path leading to a brighter future.  I devoured the information at hand and began running toward that distant point where I knew publication awaited.




Then in December of last year, I took a running leap and joined the blogosphere where the wealth of information expanded tenfold.  My cobblestone path turned into a high tech highway and I found myself racing along with other writers heading in the same direction as myself.  I am astounded by the fabulous blogs out there dedicated to writing knowledge and the betterment of writers everywhere.  I could quite literally spend hours each day surfing the internet to cultivate an array of cyber warriors who can come to my aid at a moment's notice while I tackle any writer's demon who dares to raise it's head in my presence.

But with great knowledge comes great responsibility and I must never forget that.  While it's lovely to drink in the wisdom of those who have come before me, I must always remember that it is the light of integrity that shines within us...lifting us up to a higher, more noble version of ourselves...that is the true path we must remain on as we travel toward publication...otherwise, we might find ourselves horribly lost and with no way to get where we were headed in the first place...



18 comments:

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Rena! There are times I think my poor little head is going to explode from all the great info out there and I find myself neglecting my other writing...

      Have a great day and come back any time!

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  2. Beautifully written post, Donna! I so agree with it, especially the last paragraph. We have experienced a very similar "path". :-)

    I found you through the A to Z linky list. Nice to "meet" you.

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    1. Well, hi, Teresa! Thanks for stopping by! I've been writing for 40 years but only "professionally" for the past year and a half so I still feel so new to everything. Good luck on the A to Z Challenge (my first year participating) and please come back any time!

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  3. I truly believe I'm on the right road but it keeps forking.

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    1. Ahhh, Stephen, it was never promised to be a straight path...just an interesting one! ;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  4. Yikes, that last picture is scary! I think one of the nicest things about the internet and joining the blogosphere is the community - it's great to know you're NOT alone, even if you work by yourself all day, and it's comforting to know there are so many other out there who understand you as a writer and struggle with the same things you do. The difficult thing is tearing yourself away form all the interesting discussions to actually do your work! :)

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    1. I completely agree, Susanna! I spend A LOT of time on the internet...blogging, researching, answering emails, commenting on other blogs and my Facebook groups. That leaves me precious little time to actually work on other projects. But it also serves to help me build my "author" platform, gives me opportunities to improve my "voice" in this writing community, and after this first year of challenging myself to blog every day I just might put all these blog posts together and create a book of inspirational thoughts for OTHER writers...that is if I could ever get an agent or publishing house to see my vision...;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  5. Oh this is so true Donna. What a great post. Very interesting reading your comments and especially to Susanna. I never thought there was a community like this out in the iternet when I first joined. Couldn't believe it was like this when I started a little over a year ago. True one can get very caught up with all the infomation, blogging, research and following facebook etc.... that there is precious little time for our "real" writing.
    Great post and great thoughts.

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    1. Diane, I'm beginning to think we are "sisters in spirit"...lol...we even STARTED our writing careers at the same time...;0)

      I also had no idea of the wonderful community of writers out here...so willing to help and encourage each other on this journey! I find myself SO energized every time I turn on my computer and see the sea of professionals out there...all eager to make a difference in another person's life through the power of the written word!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  6. Really great, Donna. I often feel like that last picture! I'd better get back on the true path!

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    1. Thanks, Penny. It's so easy to get distracted sometimes, but there are so many wonderful tools and people out here to help us all get back on the "write" track!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  7. Excellent advice, Donna. Nice to meet you! Thanks for stopping by my place and saying hello. Excited, nervous AND ready? AWESOME!!! Welcome aboard the Challenge! Buckle your seatbelt, stow your tray-table, and in a mere 23 days, you're free to roam about the cabin, er, bloggers in the challenge.
    Tina @ Life is Good
    Co-Host of the April A to Z Challenge
    Twitter: @AprilA2Z #atozchallenge

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    1. Ahhh, Tina, what a warm welcome to the Challenge! Thank you!

      And thanks for stopping by...please come back any time!

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  8. Love the photo of the tangled highways...that symbolizes my brain right at this point! Thanks for the encouragement to keep trucking' down the "write" road...

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    1. What a cute play on words, Jarm! Honestly, I'm not sure some times how I manage to blog, write, work a full time DEMANDING job at the school AND still have time for me...lol

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  9. I"m retired and find all the discussion groups, facebook, and all the shiny new things overwhelming. I hardly find time to write so I don't know how you do it. Like you and Diane I only started about a year ago, too and am awestruck at all the wonderful people out there willing to help. I just looove this writing community. :)

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    1. Clarbo, most of the time I'm not sure how I do it either to be completely honest! Lol...

      Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't you give me a couple of lovely blog awards? I tried to go to your blog or website but it wouldn't let me. Can you give it to me again?

      Just take things one day at a time and I agree...I can not believe my luck to be a part of this community of wonderful writers...including YOU!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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