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?

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.

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.
:)

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.

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. 

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!

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! :)