Quote of the Day: “If you can forget about publishing and simply use this time to write, to explore, to discover, if you can put aside any idea of success and instead work on learning who you are and what you have to say, if you can keep trying new things and risking failure, then the chances are very good that you will, indeed, be published.” Marion Dane Bauer
It’s that time again. The first Wednesday of the month. Time to share our insecurities or offer words of encouragement or advice about our writing and creative lives. To find out more about the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, visit their site, or the founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh. And, special this month: You can also download the ebook that many of us contributed to. Here’s the ad:
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I’m looking forward to reading more of the advice, tips, and angst of other writers. Sharing our journeys through these IWSG postings, and other writings and conversations, is so important. We are a community, and when we lift each other up, we are a strong community. Just this week, I read an excellent blog post by author Marion Dane Bauer on the writer’s journey. She has numerous books in publication, including On My Honor, and her book on writing/memoir A Writer’s Story, an excellent read. I met her when she was the main speaker at a children’s writer’s conference in Minnesota. Attending conferences, especially with children’s book authors, is an invaluable experience. If you need encouragement, and a place to feel like you’re doing something worthwhile in this world, sign up now. The above quote is from Marion’s post this week which is in response to an insecure writer. I recommend you read, A Letter from a Reader.
Speaking of writing for and working with children, this is a place to feel both real insecurities and genuine love and satisfaction. No other audience is as brutally honest. No other group opens their arms so readily to embrace your creativity and efforts. I taught a theatre class for elementary kids this fall. Twenty energetic youth bounced around in excitement with 20+ great ideas. My job was to harness that enthusiasm in and guide them in writing an original play together. We did it! It’s title, Millie and Willie Host Thanksgiving, and they did for their neighbors and numerous animals, both wild and domesticated.
Play off the Page theatre class, fall 2014
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: What are you feeling insecure about today? How was your Thanksgiving?
Congrats to you and your students for getting that play written. Really like your opening quote. Focusing on what we do for the love of it is one way to never veer off track. Support from like-minded people is also important.
Yes, Joy, and thanks!
I love that quote, Mary.
It resonated…especially the part that says ‘trying new things and risking failure’. I’m busy with a fantasy story (completely out of my comfort zone) which will be part of an anthology…it’s scary and exciting…we’ll see.
Michelle, thank you. I’m so glad you’re trying something new and going out of the comfort zone. It’s the only way to learn and to grow.
Some days I think I can write, others not so much. When I do write it is on my blog so it falls under “published” works.
I dream of publishing a collection of shorts or poems but it is only a dream.
Writing and performing a play with children has earned my respect! Good job and worthy project.
Thank you, Gail. Keep writing! I’ll read your work.
That’s awesome the play was a big success.
The best thing we can do is support one another.
Yes, Alex. Thanks for creating this group!
I love that quote so much! and that play must have been amazing! huge congrats!
Thank you so much. The kids did great. Many smiles and hugs.
I really like that quote at the beginning. Looks like something I should hang up where I can be reminded.
Yes, Patricia. It helps keep things in perspective.
Mary, this is soooo wonderful! Congratulations to you and your students. I can feel the joy here! Yes, yes, we do lift each other up. And I THANK YOU for your inspiring posts, positive outlook and how you’ve lifted me up.
Kittie, thanks for stopping by and for your kind words, as well. I’ve missed you. I’ll be visiting your blog soon!
Hey, that’s an awesome picture! Congrats on your play. It’s amazingly invigorating to work with kids. Trying, but invigorating 😉
Best of luck, may all your endeavours be as successful. =)
Thanks, Georgina!
Mary this is a wonderful post! Thank you so much for sharing this quote. Oh my gosh I needed to read that. Our thanksgiving was really good..strange as it was the first one either of us spent away from “home”.
Jen, I’m glad you had a nice Thanksgiving in your new home, and I’m glad you liked this post.
It’s a very worthwhile quote you have used. Writing something you don’t believe in so that it can be published is a recipe for creative stagnation. The only thing that is sustainable in the long (medium) term is work that allows you to create, explore, take chances, risk failure and write what you believe in. Publishing something that did not allow you to experiment and grow and that you do not love is not “success” on any level.
Well said, Richard!