Tuesday, October 29, 2013

One Thing Every Day

"Do one thing every day that scares you"

Whether it's killing that HUGE black spider in the bathroom when your husband isn't there to kill it for you or taking on a big project at work; conquer something that scares you.
What do you have to lose? The answer is nothing.
What do you have to gain? Confidence. Self-esteem. A big ego. So the latter of the those three might not be good.
Maybe you'll enjoy yourself by completing challenges and pushing yourself.
Think of it as a mental workout. If you start conquering the things that scare you, both great and small, eventually you'll be fearless.

What fears have you conquered lately?

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Where Wisdom Lies

"True wisdom lies in gathering the precious things out of each day as it goes by"

Oh the places I can take this quote!
Each and every day presents opportunities to learn something new or to better oneself. Recognizing and taking these opportunities is what makes us wise. It's hard to tell what these opportunities may be as it varies with each person & situation. Don't pass up any opportunity to do good. Your good causes a chain reaction in the world and changes lives literally!
Another thing about this quote, take it day by day. Don't fret about the opportunities you missed in the past; learn from them. Focusing on tomorrow's opportunities will distract you from what opportunities lie in front of you.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

The Greatest Hazard

"Risk must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing."

The writing industry is all about putting yourself out there for world to see, examine and sample. It is part of our nature to stay in our comfort zone. No one likes to be awkward. To take a risk means making ourselves vulnerable.  Vulnerability is not something a lot of us humans excel in. But we may, in time, build ourselves up & become more immune to vulnerability.
We hold ourselves back from our full potential because we don't want to be 'that-one-awkward-kid-who-makes-too-much-eye-contact'. We let ourselves stay in our comfort zone because it is safe and we are most definitely not vulnerable.
What we're really not doing is living.
How will you ever know what life holds if you don't risk your vulnerability for an achievement?

Have you risked & then gained?

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Never Do Tomorrow What You Can Today

"Never do tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time."

We will address this issue which has plagued our country & swept across the United States. Stay tuned for the scoop on this new disaster...tomorrow.

Yes boys & girls, I'm talking procrastination.
The most dangerous yet unspoken thought any aspiring author can have is, "It can wait."
(Now I must tell you I'm guilty of this too.So we're all get the same lecture. *shamefully hanging head)
It can't wait! None of it. 'Why?' you ask?
Because that is the beauty & curse of the publishing industry. It's ever revolving.
What the agents want one day can be out in another. What if your MS ous exactly what agents want but since you put it off & never finished those revisions, the door swings & now the agents want something fresher & hotter than before. Do you know where that leaves you? Out. You'll have to sit it out until the market is right & agents are on the search for a book just like yours. So I urge you, as well as myself, to stop the procrastination & spend what time you can to achieve that you dream you have long desired.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

When People Throw Bricks

"A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at them"

Have you ever heard the phrase, 'when life gives you lemons...'?
Well life isn't that nice to just give you lemons. As my quote for the week states, sometimes people throw bricks. Sometimes they aim to knock you down. Sometimes they aim to knock you out. Sometimes cruel people aim a brick at your face for no logical reason. The point is not that you're being targeted. The point is much greater. It's what to do next. We must gather our witts & newly acquired bricks then use them to build ourselves up. There is no need for a pity-party. There is no need to wallow in our strife. There are only bricks. Use them to define your character instead of breaking you down. So let them throw bricks at you. You're the one coming out stronger. I know I will be.
:)

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Once Begun = Half Done

"He who has begun is half done"

Non-writers won't understand {& it's no use trying to explain it because it's simply too far of a stretch for most} but writing is hard and finishing a book is even harder. As an optimist, I look at this quote from the glass-is-half-full perspective. Yes you have mustered your courage to breathe life into a story which has festered in your mind. Good job! Now finish it. You have conquered the hill with sweat & hard work. Now you can gaze at the road ahead. Keep your head up little buddy & keep writing.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Giving Away Kindness

"It is difficult to give away kindness. It keeps coming back to you."

Kindness is most nearly a necessity in the writing business. If you take a little, give a lot back. Kindness always finds its way back around. And that same kindness could have insurmountable benefits as word of mouth travels up the ladder. Who knows where it will travel or what friends you can make along the way? Kindness is easy to give away & all it will cost you is a fee seconds of time. 

Friday, August 2, 2013

All Change + All Movement

"All change is not growth, as all movement is not forward"

Doesn't the truth hurt sometimes? That's how this is making me feel. You don't want to hear your work in progress is full of 'fluff'. You shake your head in disbelief as a beta reader tells you there needs to be 'more'. But it's the truth. It's sole purpose is to better your writing. Take heed to those giving you their opinion of your work. It might hurt but it could also be your saving grace. Now, don't take this wrong, I'm not saying you should scrap your work & start anew just because the feed back was not what you wanted. Use your own digression, a handful of common sense & always your gut.

The link below ties into this post a tad bit. I highly recommend reading & learning from the said link.

http://fychuckpalahniuk.tumblr.com/post/9285901274/thought-verbs-by-chuck-palahniuk

Best of luck to you!

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Braver + Stronger + Smarter

"Remember, you're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."

Read this slowly. Let it sink in.
Whatever comes your way, just keep on writing. Don't listen to those who tell you, you can't. I'm telling you, you can. Have a little faith & hold your head up. What are you doing still reading this?! Get back to writing! :)

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Love + Skill

Forgive this super late post! My boss is on vacation & I've been in charge. Tip for today: always say 'thank you' to your bank teller. Good thing I am not a stress eater. I'm 100% sure I would have gained 15lbs this week. It brings back not-so-fond memories of the "freshman 15". *shudders
Anyways...back on track :)

"When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece."

Everyone knows (& if they don't, they will soon find out) you must love to write in order to write well. You have to love it just to want to write. Whether you have a given talent or you have sweated endless nights to become a better writer, it is necessary for the said equation to work. If you have one or the other but not both your novel may fall flat. Think carefully about a writing career before you choose it. For us writers, writing is our passion, our life and one of our loves.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

The Only Place Where Success Comes Before

"The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary."

Growing up I was told 'if you want something, you have to work for it.' Writing is exactly that. If you want to have a career as an author you have to work for it. Lately, I've been having very crazy dreams that would make amazing novels. The only problem is, I'm not sure I have enough skill to pull them off. So, I'm taking the next step. I'm working to become better as a writer. Is it going to be hard? Yes. Will this change my style/voice as a writer? Possibly, but not all change is a bad thing. Will it be worth it in the end? Ah, the always haunting question us dreamers face. The answer is simple. Yet another truth to live by: you will never know if you don't try.  :)

Friday, July 5, 2013

Better Things Ahead

"There are better things ahead than any we leave behind."

Every aspiring author dreams of this day. A day when an agent will come calling & we can leave the things in our past that held us back. Finally, finally we can move forward toward better things, such as seeing our book on a shelf.
For those trudging those query trenches, this quote gives hope. Someday. Someday we'll wipe the sweat from our brow & nod our head at our great accomplishment.
Hang in there little buddy. We'll get there together.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Patience Vs. Force

"Our patience will achieve more than our force."

Everyone has heard, 'Patience is a virtue'. It truly is. Patience I believe is one of the hardest thing to learn. As humans in this day in age, its all about instant gratification which has become part of our nature. In order to grow in patience we have to deny ourselves of instant gratification. Our hasty decisions can have unfavorable results.
I'm finding myself in a great hurry to query for my novel. But my novel is currently under revision. I don't want to rush through it and live with regret afterwards. I'm sure no aspiring author would want that. So for now I'll be patient. :)

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

What Worry Does and Doesn't Do

"Worry doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength"

Worrying will do nothing but totally exhaust you. All your time & energy is wasted on too much thinking.
Don't fret about all the little things. I know. Easier said than done. But focusing on the bigger picture helps tune out the white noise. So take a deep breath...and don't worry yourself sick.

Any tips that help you not to worry?

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

When Adventure Finds You

"When you least expect it, great adventure finds you"

Let me just tell you, I love adventures. Whether its to the grocery store or to the library, anything can be an adventure. And adventure makes everything fun. Maybe its my inner child. I do know enough to never turn down an adventure. Who knows where it will take you?! The possibilities are endless.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Making Up Your Mind Has More Power Than You Think

Forgive the miss on last week. I'll give you a double dose of encouragement today!

"If you made up your mind that you can't do it, you're absolutely right."

"You can't test courage cautiously."

The first quote reiterates the point of many. Once your mind is made up, its the direction your life will take. It's the one block in Jenga that sends the tower crumbling down and scattering the pieces. This is so powerful. Your mind can give you unfailing determination and the will a of super hero. Your mind, likewise, can poison your entire being down to your soul, leaving you like a whithered flower. Pretty powerful stuff. So think hard before you make up your mind. No. No you cannot test courage cautiously. It's all or nothin' so throw your chips in, kind of thing. You're either acting courageously or sitting in the corner. What little knowledge I have of the publishing world, I have discovered the publishing world requires one to be courageous. If you're not courageous, you'll never get that nice advance or publisher. You'll never snag that agent with a witty query letter, you probably won't even write a query letter. You'll be too shy to ask for a critique. Who am I kidding? You won't have any one read your manuscript. This my friend why you need to be courageous without hesitation. If the cowardly lion can become courageous, then so can you. w

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Sometimes It Takes More Than Once

"You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it."

This gives me courage. Instantly I feel myself covered in heavy armor swinging a long sword with fatigued muscles knowing it could be just moments before the battle is won and giving myself inner strength to endure.
When you're in that hard place of battle, don't focus on how tired you feel but look ahead to the bigger picture. Imagine winning the battle and it will be so.
In many ways sending query letters is like a battle. So when you get those rejects, smile knowing you can win the battle, it may just take one more submission.

What do you think? What encourages you to press on?

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

A Good Place To Start

"Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."

With the holiday right around the corner, a lot of the quotes I found related to being free & having freedom. But I wanted something different. I found it. :)
Reflecting back years ago when I started my novel it was necessary to write this story & put to life the story living inside me.
Now it seems plausible, possible even to get published. Just having that hope that it is possible is enough for me to keep pushing through the trenches of Query Hell. I'm hoping someday I will accomplish the impossible; To have a sweet deal with one of the Sister Six.
Impossible...I'm hoping so.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

The Road Goes Uphill

Today's quote is yet again from a Menard's ad. This just may be a weekly thing!

"You can tell when you're on the right road-it's uphill".

I can give you many reasons why I love this right off the bat.
But what I truly believe it's saying...anything worth your time & effort, is not going to be easy. It's a soft edge to a hard life. It makes me think all the sweat & hard work I put into life will pay off in the end.
What if all life is, is just a trial to see how badly we want things in life?
Some may think of this said statement as negative but being an optimist I love the bright side! I also love a challenge.
It goes to show you how determined you are to accomplish any goal.
Are you going to let a hill stop you from climbing?
I'm certainly not. 

Food for thought.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

It Comes From the Most Unexpected Places

A little tidbit of information before we begin. I use coupons & take full advantage of Walmart's price match guarantee, therefore I am always trying to find the best deal. With that said, I was anxiously flipping through a Menards ad looking for my next deal. Just a quick glance towards the bottom of every page reveals tiny sentences. Upon further reading each & every one of them, I found it amusing. Quotes & words of encouragement, in just the time I need them. 'The surest way not to fail is to determine to succeed.' With the query letter for my novel rearing its ugly head at me, I have become disheartened. This simple quote breathed life back into that firery passion to see my book someday sitting on display at B&N. I don't believe it's coincidence. I wonder how many many of us miss something so small we could easily chalk up to being insignificant? What if we were meant to find such treasures? What if the world we live in has blinded us from make these discoveries? Food for thought.revewere tiny sentences.