Quote of the Day: I will not be “famous,” “great.” I will go on adventuring, changing, opening my mind, and my eyes, refusing to be stamped and stereotyped. The thing is to free one’s self: to let it find its dimensions, not be impeded. Virginia Woolf, A Writer’s Diary
It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. You can also visit the founder Alex J. Cavanaugh for more info and links.
The IWSG question this month is: As you look back on 2017, with all its successes/failures, if you could backtrack, what would you do differently?
I would have set aside time, after returning from our trip out West, to write out the play idea that I had, and took notes on, during that trip. We rode through Glacier National Park this year on the Biker Chef’s Harley-Davidson. It is breath-takingly beautiful, inspiring, spiritual. I spent most of my time, riding on the back of the bike as a passenger, looking around, thinking, and imagining stories. Why didn’t I start writing that play the moment I got home? I don’t know. I have no good excuses. I’ll work on it in 2018.
Glacier National Park, Summer 2017. The sky was hazy from all the smoke from the forest fires. And, yet, the views were inspiring.
I chose that quote above by Virginia Woolf because I’d like to see myself in it. It’s hard to be adventurous and independent in this society, especially for a middle-aged woman. I also read a quote, “Do something that people don’t expect you to do.” The new year will bring many changes. My babies are graduating from high school. All my boys will be off on their own adventures. What is it that I need to do?
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: What inspires you? What does 2018 have in store for you?
We all go through such huge changes, don’t we? Constantly adjusting, searching for the right way, finding it–losing it. Ah, the adventure!
I love the Woolf quote! And what a good question, Mary. “What is it I need to do?” And you know I’m asking it right along with you.
I have similar why didn’t I write that at the time “regrets” (in quotes because one does tend to learn from these losses; so I wouldn’t necessarily wish them away). I am thinking particularly of a couple of lost poems that in a fairly short span of time came to me pretty much in final or close to final form. But I let my grandma duties, thinking about dinner, preparing for company, etc. etc. win the day. And, though I’ve tried to get them down on paper since, I know what I have is a fraction and very pale version of what they would be had I grabbed a seat on that inspiration train when it was coming through. Sigh.
For 2018, I plan to be (and am already) better about making the best of those inspired moments. I’m not sure what people do or don’t expect me to do, but I plan to do a few things I never expected me to do.
Thanks for this post. Thoughtful and inspiring as always.
I love that picture of you with your bike in front of that stunning vista. Hopefully, 2018 has the release of my first book in store for me 🙂
Very exciting, Ellen!
Love the pictures. Good question too. Happy Holidays.
Thanks, Juneta!
Close your eyes, imagine that trip, and the play will all come back to you when you’re ready.
Excellent advice. Plus, I need to find a nice place to write.
My suggestion is to close your eyes and imagine doing the trip all over again–stopping long enough to write that play. You can do this. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Great suggestion. I need to revisit the inspiration.
That’s going to be an action packed 2018 for sure! May you find a way to be adventurous and independent to your heart’s content.
Thank you, Joey!
That’s so funny. I just bought A Writer’s Diary from my local library for 50 cents! I’ve been wanting to read it for a long time. 🙂
I just bought it, too!
I sense a deep determination behind those wistful words 😉 I bet you will indeed write that play – and many others. It’s never too late! Love the Glacier Park picture 😉
Thank you. Here’s to creative motivation in 2018!
2018 is the year for us mature writers – even if I’m ageing disgracefully and my heroine is the biker. Go for that play, Mary.
Well said, Roland, and Will do!
Good luck with your play, Mary! Life happens, but there’s no shame in delays as long as you start.
What does 2018 have in store for me? A heck of a lot of work, and hopefully some peace of mind. 2017 was another challenging year.
Hi Mary – sounds like you had a good year .. enjoy those kids while they’re still home a bit! But sounds like you’ve got your year planned out … good luck with the play – and here’s to happy seasonal time. That trip round the Glacier Park looks wonderful – just dreaming and drawing in the landscapes with its stories … cheers Hilary
Thanks, Hilary. Cheers to 2018!
Love your thoughts and questions! Thank you for sharing this! I bet those stories just needed to gel after that amazing trip so you could mix them up in a newly creative and adventurous way this year. 🙂 Happy adventuring and writing in 2018!