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?
