Quote of the Day: Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler. Henry David Thoreau
Most people leave out that last part, but it seems important. All this talk of downsizing, organizing, decluttering, and “sparking joy” shows that we have a need for order and simplicity. Feeling bogged down by your stuff, your crazy schedule, and too many obligations, certainly puts a cramp in your creativity.
Today is 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.
Today’s question: Whose perspective do you like to write from best, the hero (protagonist) or the villain (antagonist)? And why?
When I write plays, I write from everyone’s perspective. I haven’t written a true villain, but it would be interesting to get inside that character’s head. Everyone has something they’re trying to get, and often they are their own worst enemy.
Which brings me to the topic of the day. Insecurities. I’ve been on the roller coaster. One day I was hearing the voice, “Be the person you were born to be.” In other words, write the book, or play, teach the class, build your brand. Then, I read about how people had these great mentors, education opportunities, and life experiences to help them achieve success. I haven’t had that. I wish I could go back in time and get some of those experiences. Work alongside someone who is accomplished in the areas that I pursue my career and creativity. Maybe it’s too late. Maybe I’m someone who supports and encourages, but doesn’t achieve personal success. I have some success, and I know I should focus on that, but I’m also insecure about having the tools to take it further.
Also, Winter in Minnesota this year has been way too looooong! Sunshine and warmer weather will go a long way in boosting everyone’s mood.
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: How’s the weather where you are today? What boosts your confidence?
Success has more to do with goals and perspective than anything else. How many lives have you touched? Are they better for it? 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Anna, you are so right. And, yes, I strive to be a good teacher, friend, and supporter.
But everything you do now with plays and the classes – those are your experiences. Don’t doubt yourself.
Thanks, Alex. I know. I need to celebrate that.
You are always doing something interesting, Mary: plays, stories, bike trips. I’d say you had a lot of experiences and successful ones under your belt.
Thanks, C. I do like adventure.
Hi, Mary! I reread your “About” section, and I think you are doing important work in your community. We’re all multi-faceted, and I think we all have multiple successes. To me, the impact we have on others is perhaps the most important measure of success in our lives. Anyone who is a good teacher can’t help impact lives for the better. I used to tell my third graders, “You’re unique. You have stories to write that no one else can ever write.” So shut out all those insecurities and write from your heart!
The Thoreau quote is an important one. Thank you for sharing it. My husband and I recently decided to forego our usual March trip to Hawaii, because we wanted to clear the deck of pressing decisions and responsibilities. My distractible brain needs order and simplicity, and it was feeling like a crowded busy squash ball court. My creativity has been cramped for sure. It’s a relief to be on the Come Back Trail!
Good news that your efforts to simplify and organize are working for you. I need to continue efforts here, as well. Great pep talk to your 3rd graders and me!
If you are involved in the community and theater, that’s good enough for experience. Degrees don’t matter. I never went to college. I would love to take the special publishing course a college in NY offers, but since it overlaps with Raleigh Supercon, that probably won’t happen. But I can listen to recordings from IBPA’s Publishing University every year and get new ideas and information. I’m sure there are things like that available to you.
Good point, Diane. We are lifelong learners and this day and age we can do it from anywhere, even our own couch!
I hear ya! It’s tough sometimes – and it would be nice to have a close mentor to bounce things off of!
I also hear you on the winter. We’re in Northern Ontario and we’re buried deep in snow too! C’mon spring!
Thanks for affirming the need for a mentor. Some days I feel like I’m alone on this journey.
It’s been good writing weather for me. Too much snow and temps in the negatives. (But I really, really, really want spring to come.)
True, we can hunker down and get productive. Still, warmer weather needs to show up, soon!
I so get what you’re saying. I don’t have any of that to show. Yeah, I get it. Feel that way a lot.
Thanks for the affirmations, Juneta. You, too, can succeed with the tools you’ve been given.
It’s never to late, but you are great all by yourself and I don’t think you need a mentor now. I admire people who make goals (some post them on a wall to see), but I don’t get to the end that way. I blame my ADD. I will continue to put in the work (and do more marketing research) and go forward. Life is pretty much never what I order. 🙂 I still have a blessed life. My pastor said one time to not look at someone else’s gain with why them and not me. Instead, realize that they do not have your blessings. What??? That was hard for me to accept, but I’m there now.
T., That is really good advice. And, thanks for the encouragement. I will follow my own path with the tools, and experiences, I’ve been given.
I think everyone’s path is different. I’ve also wished and actively sought out a mentor for fiction, but it just hasn’t happened. While those things you’ve mentioned can definitely help, I don’t think they’re absolutely necessary.
Winter’s been far too long here as well, but finally, signs of spring! They won’t last yet, but it’s a nice reprieve.
So true, J.H. And, yes. Today melting. Tomorrow more snow and insane winds!!