The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Friday, March 15, 2013

Things Learned From Our Four-Legged Friends...

        This evening Jean Ellen Whatley did a book talk at Abode Coffee House. I'd heard her speak at an earlier event at one our local Humane Societies, so I figured this would be the same.

        It wasn't.

Jean Ellen Whatley at a book signing at the Humane Society in St. Louis

        Focusing on the things she learned from Libby, her mutt and travel companion during her 8,600 mile trip, Whatley touched on not being bitter...loving with abandon...the importance of taking a risk...and not holding a grudge.

        One of the things I remembered since, darn it, I didn't bring a notebook to jot things down she said was, "The barrier has no bite." What she was referring to--initially--was the fact that Libby was eager to get at a cat in the neighboring yard, but unbeknownst to the canine, the battery in her electric-fence collar had died months ago. Libby was holding herself back for no reason.

      Isn't that what many writers are afraid of? We worry that if we submit something, it will be rejected and we'll get an email telling us "no" that's full of nasty comments about our writing style. When there is a panel of editors choosing selections, I assume they're groaning and moaning (and not for good reasons) over my story. I worry that my face will magically appear--a vaporous image floating in the air--as they laugh at my serious moments and frown during my humorous ones, and then they'll recognize me when they see me on the street, and then they will whisper about me and...well, you get the idea.

      The biggest barrier that's keeping us from taking a risk is ourselves. And if we don't face our fears, and take a chance on chasing our dream, we'll have regrets. 

       This came at a much-needed time for me. Right now I'm in the middle of a bitter loop that keeps playing, nonstop. Creating ways to splice in new film takes time...But I'm working on it.

        As promised, I'm giving away a copy of Jean Ellen Whatley's Off the Leash. I stirred around the entries from my thousands of thirteen followers, and came up with the name of Lisa, who writes in the buff. Speaking of risks, she's embarked on a business endeavor, and has hung out her writing shingle.

        The book is signed, and has the coolest note. (I'm tempted to tear off that page and keep it, so Lisa, you'd better send me your address quickly so I can box it up and send it off fast.)

        What writing advice do you have? (We all need a little help from our friends occasionally, after all.)

        

15 comments:

  1. Write. Just write. Every day. Get it on the page the way YOU like it. Imagine a panel of YOUS will be reading it. Then, once you're pleased with your effort, you can go back and adjust it for different imaginary panels of editors.

    Of course, I rarely send things out, being so very pleased with myself. So this might not be very good advice. (Brought to you by the person who, a couple weeks ago, decided to write like nobody's reading.)

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    1. A whole panel of people like me? That would be scary indeed...

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  2. Woo-hoo! I can't wait to read it! Thanks so much, Sioux. I'll email my address to you.

    Your paragraph about how we writers worry what editors are thinking is so true. I shot off a short story to a contest last night and have been second guessing myself ever since. I, too, imagine the judges will roll their eyes (I wrote a humor piece based on puns) and worry that it won't be in a good way. Just because the story had me laughing doesn't mean they'll be laughing for the reasons I'm hoping for. But we do have to put our writing out there, and by extension, ourselves. I've come to realize it is part of how we communicate, even in fiction; how we show little bits and pieces of ourselves that might otherwise stay hidden.

    Thanks again!

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    1. Lisa--
      Maybe after reading the book, you might not look so much in your rearview mirror (and second guessing yourself) and look more to the road that is before you...

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  3. Lucky Lisa! It's such a wonderful book. I'm learning that I do my best writing when I just let go and write what calls to me.

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    1. Just letting go is important when writing. I also whole-heartedly agree with listening when our writing calls to us. If we try to force things, and write what we really don't want to/aren't in the mood for, we probably won't make too much progress...

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  4. Dogs are much wiser than I am, and I defer to mine in all matters except the matter of who eats from the table and who eats from the bowl on the floor.

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    1. Bosco has led you well so far...

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    2. Shay--I almost forgot---Congratulations on the book. I cannot wait to read it.

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    3. I'm excited that you ordered a copy!

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  5. You have such a way with words, Sioux. you should lighten up and let loose, with words, of course. I find that it is best to release your submissions otherwise you tether yourself to the "what ifs."

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    1. Thanks, Linda. I love the idea of being "tethered" to "what ifs" because that means we could cut/untie the rope and gain our freedom.

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  6. Oh, I'm so glad you got to go, I wanted to but had another obligation. She's great!!

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  7. I wanted to go to this too, so lucky you. Good advice from both you and Jean.

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