Monday, March 9, 2015

SHOULD I GIVE UP OR SHOULD I GIVE IN?






Some say the English language is the most confusing one to learn. I sometimes wonder how I ever manage to speak at all or even make sense with my words. As a writer I carefully select each word for my stories. I know how powerful words can be...they can make or break a spirit, so I try to choose the best ones for my storytelling.

There are some words that many people may think mean the same thing, but as a writer they are worlds apart to me. Just like this tree trying to decide whether it's going to allow the sea to destroy it or will it fight back; every time I sit down to write, I mentally choose to give up or to give in...

GIVING UP...Seeds of Doubt

It doesn't matter whether you are new to the writing world or an award winning author of many books...there will occasionally be a moment when you allow nagging doubts to cloud your judgement. Is there another story in me? Did I really deserve to win that award? Do I tell the world I want to be a writer? It's not the seeds of doubt that kill a writing career but the giving up when you allow those doubts to become bigger than your dream.

GIVING UP...Writer's Block

If you're like most writers, some days the words flow like honey from your fingertips, burning a path across the screen as you try to catch up to the blazing thoughts racing through your mind. Other times you find yourself staring almost fearfully at that white canvas and wonder if you will ever write again. The "experts" are quick to list ways to deal with writer's block whenever it happens, but no one talks much about the emotional toll it can have on the writing spirit. Sometimes to a point that giving up almost seems easier than busting through the wall built between you and that next sentence.

GIVING UP...Rejection

Rejection comes in many forms. Loved ones who see your writing as a "quaint hobby".  The agent who just didn't connect with your story and told you so in a letter. Or even the book reviewer who gave you a one-star rating on Amazon before going on to say what they DIDN'T like about your story. It's easy to feel like giving up when the world is drowning you in negativity.

Versus...

GIVING IN...Passion's Plea

Even though I stopped writing at one point for over twenty years, my passion for writing never went away. It's so hard to describe to someone who is not a writer how it feels to get the words out of my head and onto paper. Writing for me is a living, breathing animal taking me on a wondrous ride every day. It is limitless in its pursuit of yet another story and demands only my best effort each time we get together. I give in to the passion and eagerly await to see where my writing will lead me.

GIVING IN...Magical Moments
 
I do not claim to be an expert at this writing thing. There are geniuses out there who can craft the most stunningly beautiful pieces of literary art with their words. And then there is me. A writer who is better today than she was yesterday and who always aspires to be a little bit better tomorrow. And if I'm lucky, there are moments in between when I give in to the possibility of creating a little magic with my words.

GIVING IN...Looking to the Future

I've read before that the future of picture books look grim. That technology like eReaders will be the downfall of the printed book. Or even that people are becoming less and less interested in reading at all. I'm not one to believe such rubbish. If I call myself a writer I must be willing  to give in to ALL the possibilities the future may hold for me. To welcome it with an open mind and to study carefully how I might adapt my own writing to become a part of such a future.

It is so easy to change one little word and give an entirely different meaning to something. As I continue on my writing journey I hope to always keep in mind it's the giving in that matters the most. And to never give up the writing.

How about you? Where does YOUR writing take you? Do you give up or do you give in?




28 comments:

  1. Giving up isn't even in my vocabulary. You summed it up beautifully, Donna.

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    1. Hi Genevieve! Even when I put my pen down for more than twenty years, it didn't stop the stories to crowding my head...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  2. What a great article Donna. It really is inspiring

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    1. Hi Becky! Thank you for your kind words. We get so many negative words thrown at us as writers...either from ourselves or others...that I like to balance it with all the positive words I can...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  3. Hi Donna! I think as writers we are always learning and growing. Looking forward to your A to Z posts.

    Yvonne

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    1. Hi Yvonne and welcome to my blog! My theme for A to Z will be reviews of children's books but you are always welcome to look around my archives for tons of other posts that might interest you...especially my WRITERLY WISDOM series you can find through the link in the column on the right of this post...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  4. This is a really great post! And anyone who thinks books of any kind will be gone because of ereaders hasn't been to a bookstore recently. While many people have ereaders, and use them, there are so many others who still buy books. And I think that picture books are one that will always be around. For kids it is the tactile, holding in your hands part of an actual book, and giving a kid a picture book as a gift. Those things will always be done, in my opinion as a librarian and a bookseller.

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    1. Hi Lisa and welcome to my blog! I couldn't agree with you more. When I first converted my son's old bedroom into my study I kept the door closed so whenever I walked into the room I would smell nothing but fresh paint and old books...lol...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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    1. Hi Kit and welcome to my blog! Thank you for your kind words. If you get a chance, take a look around through my archived posts...there are many just like this one waiting to be uncovered...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  6. Regardless of whether my writing finds an audience, I write because I'm happier when I do. The rest of my life is richer because of it. I've given up from time to time in the past, but I know better now.

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    1. Hi Nadine and welcome to my blog! I put down my pen all those years ago because I was young and foolishly believed all the negative comments I heard every day. I let those seeds of doubt grow into a forest of dark trees, blinding me from the light and joy which comes from my writing. I'm grateful to have returned to my writing and don't plan on ever leaving it behind again...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  7. How timely. I vacillate back and forth. Not about giving up, but about the value in trying to make a commercial go of it. The process is so frustrating and demoralizing sometimes.

    Replaying your visit to Rantings and Ravings of an Insane Writer ( http://jeanschara.com/randr ) for the A-Z Challenge. Thanks for stopping in. I've added you to my RSS Feed so I don't lose track of you.

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    1. Hi Jean and welcome to my blog! It's hard for both new and established writers to go through every day, all day long, with an air of confidence in their writing goals sometimes. Dreams can seem to be unreachable and whether a writer can be financially success at their chosen career can sometimes be in doubt. I decided long ago to write for the pure joy of writing. While I would love to be able to say my writing makes me financially stable, if I HAD to choose between having the money and seeing the look of adoration from a child listening to one of my stories, I KNOW which one I will always choose...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  8. Hi Donna,

    Giving up on writing is way harder than giving in to the passion :~) always prefer the easier option. Look forward to seeing and reading more from you next month at A-Z.
    Best,
    Nilanjana.

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    1. Hi Nilanjana and welcome to my blog! I was a fool to turn my back on my writing...won't happen again that's for sure...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  9. Hi Donna, thanks for stopping by my blog as part of the A to Z list. I'm looking forward to seeing all the posts! Just as a side note, your comment went to my WordPress spam folder...so some people may have missed you. Sue at Doorway Between Worlds

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    1. Hi Sue and welcome to my blog! Thanks for letting me know about the spam folder thing...I've been trying to visit different blogs and comment where I could but never thought my comments would go to spam folders...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  10. It's hard to believe A to Z is coming up so soon! Your note was a good reminder for me to get busy planning. Last year was my first year and I signed up only days before it started. It's so much fun to meet new people. See you in April!

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    1. Hi Shonna and welcome to my blog! I've participated in many of the challenges but this year I will repeat what I did last year and do children's book reviews. Makes sense since I'm a children's book author...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  11. I often give in to some really weird story ideas... and most of the time, they work out quite good :-)

    Thanks for stopping by my blog - I'm really looking forward to the A-Z Challenge.

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    1. Hi Annalisa and welcome to my blog! Quite a few of my stories come from my dreams. I'll take them anywhere I can get them...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  12. NEVER give up! Give in often. ;)

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    1. You got THAT right, Erik!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  13. I agree with the comment above ^. Never give up!!!! ;)

    Thanks for stopping by my blog the other day! I'm excited for the A-Z Challenge too! Looking forward to seeing your posts! This is the first year I've done it, so I can't wait! :D

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    1. Hi Courtney and welcome to my blog! Just plan your posts and have fun with it...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  14. Thanks for your encouraging post, Donna. I needed to read this. :-)

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    1. Hi Tracy! I'm glad you found something in this post that connects with you. NEVER give up and ALWAYS give in!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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