A novice's advice for relishing the here and now . . .
Novice writers spend a lot of time wishing and hoping on the horizons of tomorrow rather than taking in the sights of today. It's intoxicating to dream of publishers, agents, contracts, and book signings. These visions of grandeur fill in the crevices of the work day like a gooey chocolate frosting on a flaky pastry. Sweet dreams are made of these, huh?!
Daydreaming has always been a favorite past time of mine, ask any one of my teachers. They'd probably say I've got a PhD in whiling away the day. Yet, there is something to be said for staying grounded in the present.
When I was a teenager, I yearned to be older. I can remember waiting and waiting for those milestone birthdays to arrive. As soon as I turned fourteen, I couldn't wait to turn sixteen. It was a vicious circle of never being satisfied. Ha! Now, I've no curfew to beat, I wear what I want, I can knock back a beer without fear of "The Fuzz" carding me, and I've been married almost 9yrs and have two kids!
In hindsight, I should have listened to all the older folks in my life when they told me to not wish my youth away. If I would have known that adult life wasn't nearly as exciting as childhood, I think I would have been a little more reluctant to say adios to the good ole days!
As much as I adore the thought writing "The End", polishing my MS, and casting a line out into the sea of publishing, I really want to make sure I savor the flavor of the learning curve. I don't want miss a thing. I have a goal to finish In Pursuit of Love this year and I think it will be a bittersweet moment. Bradford and Melanie's story will always hold a special place in my heart because it was my first MS. Ha! And don't we all remember our firsts! LOL
Moral of the story? Take time to appreciate every single writing milestone. Whether you're pounding away at the keys to finish your first MS, crying over a rejection, or promoting you're booty off for book number seven . . . enjoy it! Relish your achievements! Time is fleeting and fickle. All we have is the here and now.
For all you authors out there, do you remember what it felt like the first time you wrote those tow glorious words? Did you celebrate? Does it feel the same when writing "The End" for the fifth time or maybe even the twentieth?
____________________________________________________
This is part of the Classic Romance Revival Valentine's Day Blog Carnival. Winners for the grand prize -- a 5-ARC package from Classic Romance Revival authors -- will be drawn from visitors commenting on the most blogs. To qualify for the grand prize, you need to register for the contest. Please visit the Classic Romance Revival blog to find details of all the blogs and to register:
http://www.classicromancerevival.com/blog/?p=1671
5 years ago
22 comments:
Great post as usual, Sarah! You are so right. We all should try to live in the moment and enjoy what is happening at each turn of events in our writing lives.
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful Valentine's Weekend!
Great post. And I love the blog layout!!
I'm not an author, but I am a journalist. I still read some of my writing and think, "Hey, that's pretty good. Did I really write that?"
I'm not an author, just a reader!
It must be thrilling, though, to finish your first novel.
Thanks,
Tracey D
Great post, Sarah, and so true! And yes, it's a thrill and a relief to complete each journey to the "the end" point, but a little sad, too, because you've just sent these friends off into the sunset. Plus I'm always a little worried I won't ever get another story idea, LOL.
I had a busy weekend, and just got to read this...but what perfect timing. I've always been a person who can't wait to grow up, reach the end, sell another book, oh the list goes on and on.
Thanks for the gentle reminder to slow down and enjoy the now. =)
Each book is special, but that first time *sigh* is so memorable.
Love the look of your blog. I can't imagine the thrill of publishing your first novel.. must be a bit overwhelming!
Thanks everyone for stopping by! :)
This was definitely a fun post to write. I have to constantly remind myself to slow down. If I didn't, I'd be running around trying to do everything and accomplishing NOTHING! lol What a coil!
I adore this background and will have save the HTML for next year. I can't to find one for St. Patrick's Day! Too fun!
What a wonderful blog you have here Sarah. I do remember writing those two simple words... and it did not feel the way I though it would. It's sort of like watching one of your kids move out into the real world!!! Just when you think you can't wait to get them out, while you dream of the craft room that you'll put in place of all of their junk you'll move out... you mourn the loss of that little boy or girl that stole your heart! It's bitter sweet!!!!
hugs
Micole Black
I'll never forget the first time I actually wrote a full ms. It's a solitary endeavor and I celebrated in my head, but it was such a powerful feeling. I also tweak and tweak and tweak thereafter, finding it difficult to let the characters go completely. In my mind, it's never really complete. Every part of the journey is there for a reason, right?
Don't get me started on daydreaming. My high school teachers favorite saying was"she has such potential" and I still haven't reached the end, yet. But I will be glad to help keep you on track. Can't wait to hear about your dynamic duos latest scuffle.
I don't think I've ever written The End. I think that's because I'm never done tinkering with the manuscript!
Wonderful post, Sarah. I was an odd child, not in a hurry to grow up because I couldn't imagine ever knowing HOW to be an adult and how to take care of all that stuff Mom took care of! It seemed overwhelming.
It still does at times and I'm still not sure I'm ready to be "done" aka adult. ;-)
I guess I feel that way about my books, too. They aren't really done once I finish them. I do a lot of intertwining between stories and I do short stories related to the books. So while it's a huge feeling of accomplishment, it's also a huge feeling of "what next?" that is bigger than any one finished book.
I never write "The End" either. Whenever I read a book that has those words printed at where the story leaves off, I think: of course it's not the end - there's always more that will come even if we don't see it.
*shrug* Yes, I'm an odd duck.
Thanks for the reminder Sarah. Sometimes life gets so hectic I forget to live it. That I needed reminding every now and then...
Re-posted your contest at: http://contests-freebies.blogspot.com/2010/02/sarah-simas-moment-in-time-savor-yours.html
Cherry Mischievous
www.cherrymischievous.com
mischivusfairy-warrior [at] yahoo [dot] com
Its often been said my only redeeming feature is that I have never placed more emphasis on one birthday or another--a birthday is a birthday. Its a day about me no matter what year it is.
I indulge in too much wool-gathering to really 'live in the moment'. I'm always wondering 'maybe I should get this done now instead of later' and 'hmm i wonder which will save me more time...'
Lexie
I day dream a lot but normally to pass the time when I can't do anything else or need to rest.
Sometimes I just stop and look around me and enjoy the moment. It can be the best 'pick-me-up' in the world.
Very nice article. I can set and daydream and I think it is healthy to do. It can be relaxing. Hope you have a great day and good luck with your book. susan Leech
Hi Sarah,
LOL. My ‘daydreaming’ life is a lot more productive and exciting than my ‘real’ life. I get tons of ideas about all sorts of things but have trouble translating them to ‘real’ life. “Living in the moment” has been recommended by a zillion gurus as the true road to happiness. Periodically, I do try. It sounds deceptively simple but I find it so-o-o hard to do! The past and the possible future constantly get it my way. I haven’t given it up yet. Thanks for reminding me.
Sara J. ~ : - ]
sjr1groups@yahoo.com
PS. Nice name :-)... I always tell people that my name is a 4-letter word... like love, lust, etc.
Nice post...It reminds me of one of my favourite songs I heard by Johnny Mathis called "Day Dreaming"..
I am a reader not an author. Every time that I finish a book that I have enjoyed (which is pretty much any one that I read LOL). I am thankful for all authors - novice and established.
Wonderful advice. I'm at the beginning of the Romance Novelist Journey. I'll keep this in mind each step of the way!
I share your sentiment in finishing a novel. It is kinda hard to let go sometimes, to write the last word, to push out there in the cold world and let it eaten by publishers, editors and reviewers. But once it is, and you get over the letting go, it gets better. You have to remember that too. I have a book I'm having a hard time saying goodbye too to.
God Bless
Rita
Post a Comment