This week someone posted an image on face book that commented on the teenagers cry for people to provide them with something to do, somewhere to go. The answer was that it was no ones else's responsibility but than their own. No one owes them fun or entertainment, they must seek it themselves. The part I liked most was where the adult being quoted (a court judge) said that they needed to grow a backbone instead of a wish bone. The thing that occurred to me was that this applies to all of us.
What do you wish for? What are your hopes? These are important things yet they can bring us down when we use them as our foundations to move forward. They should be guiding lights, wind beneath our wings but never our foundations. Foundations need to be firm and strong, to support and carry us when the wind dies away and when the lights dim for a while.
As a writer and and artist I tend to occasionally start to rely on my wishbone rather than my backbone. Times are tough in the writing industry, but just like the teen who cries 'where is avenue to provide my fun?', I need to focus on building my foundations to carry myself through to the fulfilment of my dreams.
So what are they, these writers dreams of mine, my aspirations? Of course success is high on the list, not so much fame or even recognition but certainly knowing that what I create has an impact and will ultimately get out there. A publishing contract, or two, or three.......ok, lots, illustration work waiting in the wings and even, perhaps unrealistically, an income to support both my habit and my contribution to family finances.
As a creative person it is in my inner most being that I do this, write and create, it is a need and not a want. But it is also a choice. No one owes me anything. I need to understand that especially on the days when I feel that everything is out of reach and unachievable. On the days when I want to chuck it all in and forget my life as an author. I am the only one who can make it happen. I have to have patience and perseverance and in a month like this one where I spend my creative energies bending over a drawing tablet and computer screen building promotional technology, business cards and other business building opportunities instead of putting pen to paper, I need to allow myself to look ahead with hope and determination.
As creators we have to believe in ourselves because if we don't, no one else will.
So if you are feeling low, struggling to maintain focus, purpose and passion, join me. Let's work on our backbones and carry our hopes and dreams on our wishbones. May the wind be uplifting and the light shine continually....
Happy writing!
What do you wish for? What are your hopes? These are important things yet they can bring us down when we use them as our foundations to move forward. They should be guiding lights, wind beneath our wings but never our foundations. Foundations need to be firm and strong, to support and carry us when the wind dies away and when the lights dim for a while.
As a writer and and artist I tend to occasionally start to rely on my wishbone rather than my backbone. Times are tough in the writing industry, but just like the teen who cries 'where is avenue to provide my fun?', I need to focus on building my foundations to carry myself through to the fulfilment of my dreams.
So what are they, these writers dreams of mine, my aspirations? Of course success is high on the list, not so much fame or even recognition but certainly knowing that what I create has an impact and will ultimately get out there. A publishing contract, or two, or three.......ok, lots, illustration work waiting in the wings and even, perhaps unrealistically, an income to support both my habit and my contribution to family finances.
As a creative person it is in my inner most being that I do this, write and create, it is a need and not a want. But it is also a choice. No one owes me anything. I need to understand that especially on the days when I feel that everything is out of reach and unachievable. On the days when I want to chuck it all in and forget my life as an author. I am the only one who can make it happen. I have to have patience and perseverance and in a month like this one where I spend my creative energies bending over a drawing tablet and computer screen building promotional technology, business cards and other business building opportunities instead of putting pen to paper, I need to allow myself to look ahead with hope and determination.
As creators we have to believe in ourselves because if we don't, no one else will.
So if you are feeling low, struggling to maintain focus, purpose and passion, join me. Let's work on our backbones and carry our hopes and dreams on our wishbones. May the wind be uplifting and the light shine continually....
Happy writing!