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By: Sherrie Petersen,
on 6/10/2015
Several years ago I attended the SCBWI summer conference and one of the wonderful people I met was Rachel Marks. Super talented as both a writer and an artist, she had an incredible joy for life, due in part to being a cancer survivor. Rachel was rooming with Paige Britt and both of them had […]
Last week I sent the opening pages of my third middle grade novel to my critique group. My accompanying email read:
Photo by Vicky Lorencen
Here are the first measly, tender baby words of my new middle grade novel. Now, I will be completely transparent and say I’m really looking for encouragement here, but not the fake kind where you’re just making stuff up to make me feel good. I want you to be honest, but mostly focus on what’s going right (if anything no matter how small), so I can do more of that. You will be welcome to be much, much tougher once I’m further along.
Thank you so much for taking the time to look at my new baby. Remember to support her head, and for Gerber’s sake, keep your dang thumb away from that soft spot on her head would ya? (And I apologize in advance if she smells like poopy.)
Is it just me? You’ve been there, right? I was so vulnerable and needy (one of my all-time favorite states of being for sure). I knew my critique group would be fair and kind, but I was not prepared for the first comments I got back.
I got dark chocolate covered, name in neon lights, to Neptune and back, crazy ENCOURAGEMENT!!!
How did that make me feel?
Hopeful!
Energized!
Confident to push ahead!
As I see it, encouragement is more than good cheer or offering support. It’s fortifying a friend who is afraid–afraid to act, afraid to take a risk, afraid to speak up or afraid to ask. In other words, encouragement provides courage (See there? It’s right in the word itself. How ’bout that?) And that’s what my group gave me.
Photo by Vicky Lorencen
Encouragement is like . . .
Encouragement makes your soul say, ahhhhhh. You feel full, different, better and ready to take the next step. Little wonder Frog on a Dime‘s primary goal is to provide encouragement to writers.
Who’s been your biggest encourager lately? Who will you encourage today?
Remember, man does not live on bread alone: sometimes he needs a little buttering up. ~ John C. Maxwell
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By: Cathy C. Hall,
on 1/3/2013
For many years, one of the newspaper advice columnists would run a meditation called Just for Today, on New Year’s Day. Maybe an advice columnist still keeps this tradition, I’m not sure. But I am sure that when I first read the words, I was struck by the powerful message. That if we focus on each day, as it comes, we can accomplish much more than we thought possible. And so with that message in mind, I considered what I, the writer, wanted to accomplish in 2013.
Just for today, I will write. It may not be 20,000 words, or even 2,000 words. Heck, it may be a 200-word blog post or a (very) detailed grocery list. I will write, because I know that writing is a skill that improves with daily practice.
Just for today, I will read. If I have a great idea for an article, I’ll read the market I’m considering pitching. If I’m working on a novel manuscript, I’ll read a novel in that genre, even it’s just the first chapter. If I’m stuck on an aspect in my craft, I’ll take that how-to book from the shelf, blow the dust off, and read the pertinent paragraphs. I will read, because I know that reading is a sure way to writing growth and improvement.
Just for today, I will encourage or support another writer. If I've enjoyed an author’s novel, I’ll write a review on Amazon, or perhaps Goodreads. If I drop by a blog and like the content, I’ll leave a comment, letting the blogger know. Maybe I’ll retweet a writer’s good news or just click on a "Like" button. I’ll encourage or support another writer, because I know how much my writer friends’ support and encouragement means to me, especially when it comes on those days when a stinging criticism won’t let go of me. A couple of kind words can make all the difference.
Just for today, I will take care of business. I’ll answer the emails, update my finances and keep on track with my submissions. I will take care of business, because I know that when I treat my writing as a business, my writing pays me back.
Just for today, I will be thankful that I’m a writer. Despite the rejections, the revisions, the constant hair-pulling and occasional whining, I wouldn't want any other job in the world. I will be thankful that I’m a writer, because when I’m lucky enough to find just the right words, my soul sings.
And what writer wouldn't want to accomplish that, even if it’s just for today?
~From Cathy C. Hall, wishing you bountiful words and blessings in 2013!
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By: Gayle C. Krause,
on 4/7/2012
Follow the Yellow Brick Rejection Road By Gayle C. Krause We’re all familiar with the road Dorothy took to Emerald City. I’d like to use her journey to explain why we, as children’s writers, follow her same path.As we perform our daily chores of creating characters, revising stories or submitting manuscripts we dream of the place over the rainbow (the publishing marketplace) where we’ll someday
By: Sherrie Petersen,
on 2/22/2010
I am in the midst of writing a shiny new novel that I LOVE, and editing a novel that I used to LOVE but now just like a lot. I'm hopeful that by the time I'm done editing it, I will LOVE it again...
Have you ever been there? Falling in and out of love with your stories? The good news is:
“A bad novel is better than an unwritten novel, because a bad novel can be improved; an unwritten novel is defeat without a battle.” – Paul Johnson
“Be suspicious of literary advice from anyone who consistently leaves you feeling like some subspecies of dung maggot.” – Jane Guill
"Almost anyone can write; only writers know how to rewrite. It is this ability alone that turns the amateur into a professional.” – William C. Knott
"Women with clean houses do not have finished books." – Joy Held
"Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead." – Gene Fowler
"Easy reading is damn hard writing." – Nathaniel Hawthorne
What a great thought - "just for today". Thanks for the encouragement!
Perfect perspective. I'm going to share this. We start the new year with such lofty and big goals. It's wise to remember that really all we have is today, this moment. We have enough light for the very next step and that's all we need. Thanks for getting my head in the right frame of mind.
I love this, Cathy, because we can all accomplish goals "just for today." One step at a time...
Thanks for the advice. My writer friend, Liz, sent it to me, so your post does work. We are all trying to encourage one another. Thanks.
A wonderfully refreashing New Year's post. It makes it all seem so less overwhelming when we just focus on today. And, as all of us have found, when we take care of today then somehow our tommorows get taken care of too! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
I've actually been trying to use this kind of thinking with eating better, but it seems more fun for writing stuff! Everything we want to improve on is really just a "one day at a time" thing. I get overwhelmed with doing things perfectly or permantly. ;)
Just for today, I will do my best to not procrastinate! Thanks for this post. It keeps things in perspective, doesn't it?
So glad y'all found inspiration in my Just for Today mantra! And so appreciate you taking the time to comment! ;-)
Good to know. This relieves the pressure of trying to do it all. If I can pick a couple of items to concentrate on JUST FOR TODAY, I can stop putting off tasks because they seem so overwhelming.
Cathy, these are words to live by. Sometimes the big picture is overwhelming, but one thing at a time I can do.
Thanks for the prompt. I came up for air in the middle of a project about to pull me under and volunteered for panels at Lunacon and indulged my muse by typing up some thoughts that popped into my head. Sent and RSVP to attend the CTRWA chapter meeting next week. Felt real good.
Still plenty to do-revisions, submissions, blogs but one day at a time.....
Absolutely on par with all of my resolutions. Just today I'm a commenter on blogs, today I am thinking about marketing and taking risks.
Supporting writers and keeping track of their progress is very inspiring, thank you.
And thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland
author of Arm Farm, Sending You Sammy and Brain Tales - Volume One
As always, your words inspire me, Miss Cathy.
Wishing you a blessed and joy filled year of writing in 2013, and just for today.
I'm putting "JUST FOR TODAY" on my wall. Thanks, Cathy, for an inspiring and motivating post! Here's to combating overwhelm and moving forward in 2013!