Quote of the Day: It’s a very excruciating life facing that blank piece of paper every day and having to reach up somewhere into the clouds and bring something down out of them. – Truman Capote
What if the caterpillar said, “Nope, I don’t want to change. This is good enough for me. I’ve got the ground and this nice, dry leaf. I know what to expect every day. I mean, yes, I do look up at the sky sometimes and wonder what it’s like to soar above the ground. I admire those butterflies with their beautiful wings. But, well, I’d rather stick to what I know than go through a metamorphosis. That sounds a little scary.”
Kind of like taking risks, isn’t it? What if your intuition is telling you to make a change, but your logical mind gets scared? What if you dared?
Are you holding back and avoiding facing a challenge?
I find myself blocked sometimes. I haven’t written one word on my novel since I returned from the Highlights workshop. I’ve been assessing what my story is. I have thought about my play, but need to take the time to reread it and write the final scene. Then what? Well, then it’s time to release it to the world. Let it fly out into the sky and see where it lands.
I have written two short pieces. One that I plan to submit to the Highlights for Children fiction contest, and a rebus story for regular submissions. When we were on our tour, the editors mentioned that was a need, so I came home and wrote one.
Hey, you out there, sitting on your dried up leaf, maybe it’s time for you to take a risk and make a change. I’ll be here for you, and maybe we can fly away together.
Come back and let me know what happens!
Journaling Prompt: Write about the times when you come alive. Where are you? Who is with you? What are you doing? Did you take a risk?
Mary,
When I come alive at writing, it’s me, myself and I and God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We’ve had quite a few sessions lately with my deadlines…
It has been so wonderful.
But I am tired.
You go, girl.
Patti
I find the challenge and possibility of change to actually be inspiring to my craft. And when I tackle that change with my writing, yes, there seems to be an energy, a vibrancy, to my days.
Wonderful post! Inspiring. I come alive with deep connection, and great stories. Next week I’m taking a big risk sending off a picture book manuscript. I’m nervous but ready to throw it out to the world.
Making Life a Work of Art!
I take risks all the time. s long as you have a great premise, characters people care about, action, and a believable or workable backdrop (realistic near future scifi is my backdrop) then you can take risks and probably be able to get away with them.
It is scary…and overwhelming at times but we will never reach our dreams if we never even try – right?
Wish I knew what makes me come alive, I would do it.
I come alive when I paint, experience the creativity of others and have adventures with my family.
Oh Mary, what a great post! I don’t like change. But I know it’s necessary – it’s just tough for me sometimes. A lot of the time. I come alive when I’m in nature, when I’m with my family, and when I’ve got a camera up to my face. I feel like Matt and I are on the verge of some big changes in the next year as he finished up his schooling and we make decisions for what’s next. As much as it’s frightening, it’s so exciting too. I want to leap, soar and fly.
Marvelous!
I recently took a risk and changed genres, or more specifically, honed in on a more specific corner of a particular genre.
It’s not at ALL what anyone I know thinks I write. It’s also not a genre that these same people would ever, in a million years, read.
But after reading a post on “why I write” somewhere in the Interwebs, I discovered my why and, in conjunction, discovered the voice that was needed to communicate it.
After all, if I’m writing to become fearless, what better genre than horror, eh?
I always love your posts!
They’re so eye opening. Best of luck with your novel and play 🙂
Jen
It’s funny that you post this now, because I just finished changing my MS (finished and already in query wars) from 3rd person to 1st! I’m terrified. 🙂
Writing brings me to life. And I don’t do enough of it – or haven’t over the last few years. I’m working to get back into writing, though.
This time of year is bad for me in terms of motivation so I need reminders like this! Thanks!
Bravo Mary! I’m seeing from your post just how closed off from my writing I’ve become as of late.
I will face these writing challenges and go full speed ahead:)
Best,
Clara.
Mary, this is great. I’ve always loved the caterpillar and butterfly analogy. And now I’m remembering the caterpillars we saw in Honesdale. Remember? Maybe that was a sign…hmmm….
I love that our conference inspired you to write a rebus. You didn’t tell me that. I’ve thought about it to, after Chautauqua especially, but never followed through. I think you’d be good at it and I hope you have success. In fact, I know you will.
I’m where you’re at, sort of looking all around to orient myself to what I’m to do next. I was going to write a post on discernment this week, then Roberta died, so it will come soon. But it’s a lot like what you are saying here.
Hope you have a lovely weekend, friend. The sun is shining in Fargo. 🙂
What a beautiful analogy- the caterpillar not wanting to change into a butterfly.
Great post Mary! My “alive time” is early in the morning (like 5 a.m) when I am fresh and full of ideas. I need to check out the Hilights for Children Writers Guidelines. It’s on my To Do List!
oops. “Anonymous” is really me, mary. WTH?