When I was young, I was painfully shy and kept to myself most of the time. My parents did not encourage friendships, so I spent a good portion of my school time hanging out in the library. It was quiet there and I developed a deep appreciation for the written word. The old saying, "You can't judge a book by it's cover", certainly applied and I was fascinated by the possibilities of what adventures lay beyond the pages of each new book.
Those years of standing just outside my school's social circle gave me the opportunity to develop my skills of observation. People don't always say what they mean, nor mean what they say. I discovered that almost everyone has a part of themselves hidden beneath the facade. Fascinating thoughts, feelings, adventures that no one else had lived. Those still waters ran deep. I would often look at someone and wonder what stories would I find if I took the time to search them out?
Beginner writers are like those icebergs. Just a small portion of their potential greatness lie above the still waters which surround them. They have a dream and a hope to become better than they are now, but their lack of writing skills sometimes prevent them from tapping into what lies beneath the surface. Beginner writers can choose to stay motionless and never grow beyond the moment. Or they can boldly go on a journey toward their own dreams of publication.
Smart writers challenge the still waters by reaching out to those around them. They go in search of experienced writers who's understanding of the depths within themselves help create those great stories which will live on long after they are gone. Smart writers take the time to develop their writing skills through reading, attending workshops, and researching what it takes to create a polished work of written art.
All writers, new or experienced, have a wonderful strength lying beneath the surface of who they THINK they are. A vast world of ideas waiting to be discovered and shaped into messages the world is just waiting to receive.
All it takes is the courage to make the first splash.
Although I had a few good friends when I was growing up, I, too, spent a lot of time "on the outside looking in" and can certainly attest to that experience having built my powers of observation.
ReplyDeleteThe analogy of the iceberg and the hidden depths of a beginning writer is such a good one. It's eye-opening for those around, and for the writer her/himself to find out what's below the surface.
Thank you.
I went to sleep last night thinking of the last iceberg and I knew what I was going to write about today. I'm also thinking if I keep this up all year long, I will have more than 300 posts to choose from and could do my own version of the "Little Instruction Books"...for writers...hahaha...
DeleteThanks, Beth, for stopping by!
Seeking those "more experienced" writers is so important! Yay for 12x12in12. What a lovely community. I also am blessed with a great Crit Group that meets once a month and a class that I am enrolled in a second semester that.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marcie, for stopping by! I'm envious of you with all your writer resources and support group...;0)...
DeleteI think writers can only become stronger as they continue to speak with each other and reach out to the writer community. I know I have grown so much since PiBoIdMo and now 12 X 12 in 2012 will only help me to grow more as a writer.
Lately, I have learned that my perception of people I thought I knew was totally wrong. I would have found out sooner if I had taken the time to "read" them. Nice reminder, Donna.
ReplyDeleteWithout the "distraction" of friendships growing up, I had no other choice but to sharpen my skills...lol...
DeleteI think this is why I am such a people person now and fascinated with whatever that new person wishes to show me about themselves.
Thanks for stopping by...come back any time!
Your post always give my day a little lift. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAwww, Hannah, thank you! You are too kind. I'm glad you stopped by, come back any time!
DeleteDonna, how very appropriate that you write about water in winter! The Chinese tradition of the five elements pair them. I blogged about them last year here: http://thewritersvibe.blogspot.com/2011/02/law-of-five-elements.html
ReplyDeleteThe five elements show up often in my writing.
I'm going to go check out your blog post about the elements, Jules. Thanks for sharing! My astrological sign is Cancer and I am deeply drawn to the water in any shape or form...;0)
ReplyDeleteCome back any time!
Another insightful post Donna, and I love the images you use to accompany your posts!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie! I usually come up with an idea for a post and then look for it on Google Images so see what comes up. That usually gives me the "rest of the story" for my post...;0)
DeleteThanks for stopping by...come back any time!
oh my, you have been inside my head again Donna.
ReplyDeleteI was a very shy introvert as a youngster even when I first went to work. Funny I was talking about it tonight after work with some colleagues. Had them in stitches telling them about the first time the phone rang at work (I was working the switchboard as part of my job)..it near freaked me out! A supervisor told me years later it took six months to get a sentence out of me. But I spent my time observing people and reading..... (nicknamed "bookworm").
In the last few years I have been told "I
must be making up for lost time".....lol.
Now I am at a stage where I want to reach out to learn more and make the necessary contacts.... Thanks for this post, Donna.
Oh, Diane, different paths for you and I with the same results. You could have been describing ME up until about 11 years ago when I started training in TaeKwonDo. It was more than 2 years before I began to change and now they can't shut me up! Hahaha...
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