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To all my current and future
#DCSPeeps (DECIDE, COMMIT, SUCCEED), welcome to my new series in my
continuing effort to inspire, amuse, and entertain you! Each Monday I
will select a new word to analyze how it might apply to our writing
lives and also give you a peek into my childhood growing up in the
swamps of southern Louisiana.
The basis of today's post happened more recently, so kick back, put your feet up, and check
out my story about TODAY'S WORD:
Two weeks ago I was teaching my adult Taekwondo class and getting my students ready for their belt advancement
testings. One of those
students has only trained with me for two months now but last night she
displayed the essence of PERSEVERANCE.
We were working on controlled leg sweep
take downs where a person would end up on the floor if the technique was
performed correctly. This student was taken down by her daughter, who also
began her training two months ago, and in the process of practicing the take
down the mother bumped her head solidly on the mats.
She wasn’t hurt, but it stung and brought
tears to her eyes. Lying there on the floor with the whole class watching my
student had two choices…
1) Give up before she really even began her journey
to black belt because she discovered there would occasionally be “bumps” to
deal with and overcome along the way.
2) Or take a moment to catch her breath, mentally
(or in this case physically) pick herself up, and try again.
I was so proud of my student when
she chose the second option and even finished the class.
Oh, and did I mention this young at
heart lady will be 68 on her next birthday?
There have been many times during my writing career that I use some of the lessons learned in my martial arts training. The skill of PERSEVERANCE is one of them.
1. Writing is a lonely endeavor and easy to give up on when the going gets tough, but I PERSEVERE.
2. Finding the right agent to help me grow as a writer is challenging, but I PERSEVERE.
3. Being brave enough to put my work out there with the chance of being rejected is hard, but I PERSEVERE.
4. I may never see my name on the front of another book, but I can't imagine NOT doing this thing I love so much, so I PERSEVERE.
How about YOU?
Just remember my DCSPeeps,
nothing is impossible if you have the right amount of PERSEVERANCE. This writing journey we are all on might have some bumps
in the road at times, and we might even fall down occasionally while pursuing our dreams, but it’s all the times we get back up and keep trying that will
eventually see us to our publishing goals!
I hope you have an awesome day
today because you deserve it!
Children's book author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a
4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a 'ninja' writer of
children’s picture
books, middle grade chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna
is a BOOK
NOOK REVIEWS host providing the latest book reviews on all genres of
children’s books. She is also a book reviewer for Harper Collins,
and a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators. Donna
is a lover of dark chocolate, good stories, and an adoptive mom to 20-pound
guard
kitty in Knoxville, Tennesse
Story Catcher Fan Club Emai: www.storycatcherfanclub@gmail.com
At least, she didn't get a split lip from her child!
ReplyDeleteHahaha...so true, Janet, but then I should have kept my hands up! :~)
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!
Great post! I think that is a great example of perseverance! :D
ReplyDeleteHi Erik! I think so too!
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!
I am glad I discovered your blog. I am a member of SCBWI, also. I've been learning a lot from them. Thank you for your encouragement to persevere.
ReplyDeleteHi Erin and welcome to my blog! I checked out your website and you have a number of cute illustrations I like! I'm envious of your talent because I can't draw much past stick figures...;~)
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!
What a great post. Perseverance is so important even if sometimes is difficult.Happy Holidays :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you liked it!
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!