On Monday I got the news that my story, "There's No Ceiling On Dreams," will be published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul's The Power of Positive. (It will go on sale on October 23.)
That positive news helps sweeten up some of the setbacks that all writers have. No news. Bad news. Waiting-on-pins-and-needles...nothing new about that.
My story is about when my students and I each hung up a cloud from the ceiling of our classroom. We each put our dream on a cloud. Who knew what the impact of magic markering unspoken dreams onto posterboard would be...
If we don't sweeten up our life of writing, it gets bitter. Facing rejection on a regular basis is tough, so we have to put some pockets of pleasure into our routine--otherwise we'd give up.
What do you do to keep yourself going? What technique do you use...what activity do you engage in...what mantra do you mumble to sweeten up your writing life?
(How would you like to sit back in a comfy chair and listen to C. Hope Clark talk about writing? You can, if you go here. It's a wonderful podcast, jam-packed with humor and self-deprecation and advice.)
Hi Sioux,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your acceptance. I love your title, "There is No Ceiling in Dreams." It is so uplifting.
Attending weekly critique group keeps my writing motor running. Once a month I meet with three other women writers who inspire me. And belonging a group like Saturday Writers makes me proud to be a writer.
Thanks, Donna. This was one of the rare times I had a title that seemed fitting. Usually, that's one of the hardest things for me...
Delete(Along with getting rid of those pesky dotdotdots...;)
Congratulations on the acceptance. I love your idea of writing the dreams on clouds. I've always believed that you have a better chance of accomplishing something if you put the dream in writing. Heck, there are whole books based on the concept!
ReplyDeleteJanel--
DeleteThanks. You're right. There are whole books about that, and there seems to be something to it--if we write it down or create a collage about it, chances are it will come true.
Congratulations on your upcoming publication. Keep notching that belt.
ReplyDeleteAs the grim reaper of many a bitter harvest, I am pleased as punch to hear about this newfangled invention you call "sugar." It could be just the cure for what ails me. Do you have an antidote for cliches?
No, sorry. I'm the Queen of Cliches. Linda O'Connell, however, has a pen that will sniff out cliches from a mile away.
DeleteCongratulations, Sioux! That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteI keep myself going by reminding myself what a renowned poet I'll become sometime after I'm dead.
Mama Zen--Thanks.
DeleteThat's...great...I think.
Yay! Sioux, we will be going on tour before you know it! Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteI just heard from CS--they are forbidding us from going on any tours together. There's not enough police force available for any city we were planning on booking. ;)
DeleteCongratulations, Sioux!! Am tempted to hang little clouds all over my ceiling. By the way, when I'm substitute teaching, know how I can tell the best teachers in seconds? They always have stuff hanging from the ceiling! Really. From a psychological perspective, everyone who enters is surrounded by learning.
ReplyDeleteIt might be worth a try. If it worked, you could write a self-help book on the very complicated, sophisticated process (of hanging clouds using fishing line).
DeleteOh Yay! Happy for you. I think titles are the easy part. I just write and then find a title. When I am in a slump, I just let myself be in a slump. I always seem to come back, eventually.
ReplyDeleteKathy--Thanks. Could I get your help when I need a title? ;)
DeleteYou're right. We DO get back into the groove, eventually.
Oh Sioux Congratulations! I'm so excited for you. I can't wait to read it and get a signed copy when you're touring... that is if there's enough police force! YAY for you!
ReplyDelete