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‘Journey to Publication’ Category

  1. What Am I Afraid Of?

    November 28, 2011 by leslee

    I’ve been reading The Joy Diet by Martha Beck. One of the “menu items” is to do something you fear every day. My immediate thought was how that might be impossible for me. The only thing I’m really afraid of is heights and I tackle that one a few times a year by jumping off the high dock at Wakulla Springs. I skipped to the next chapter.

    As I read more of the book I began to think a lot about what I really want to accomplish. I want to write. I want to be a solid writer. I don’t want to be someone who got lucky by cranking out a book and having the stars align to get the thing published and sold. I want to be prolific. I want to write many books and reach the point where my next releases are anticipated.

    In order to accomplish that goal, to be that writer, I’m going to need to write. And that is when it hit me. I’m afraid to write. I’m afraid I won’t be good enough. I’m worried I can’t top what I’ve already done, that I can’t keep getting better. I used to write everyday. I used to never miss a day of morning pages and blog posts. Now I just write everything “in my head.” I signed up for NanoWrimo and got off to an incredible start on the next novel in my series. Then I stopped. I stopped because I thought it was bad. It was only after I shared it at writing group that I realized it wasn’t.

    It’s time to buckle down and stretch myself. It’s time to not only write book 2 in the Ian and Lola series, but to write about all sorts of things. If I take time each day to write a few new things (journal entries, blog posts, short story pages, poems, or pages in the novel) than I will be tackling and beating the heck out of my fear.

    Category Books I've Read, Journey to Publication, Writing | Tags: ,,,,,,,,, | 5 Comments

  2. Passion VS Safety

    October 28, 2011 by leslee

    I’m working as an academic advisor these days so I see first hand when people are facing the choice between the path they are passionate about and the path they feel is safe. Sometimes the safe path is where their passion lies, but mostly not. They’ll come in and say “What kind of jobs can I get with this major?” Many of them double major which I suspect is to provide the possibilities of more job opportunities. One kid came in the other day and said he had signed up for the major but just wasn’t sure if it was right for him. I asked him what he was passionate about. He didn’t hesitate to share his passion. He knew exactly what he wanted to do and he’s in the right major to do it. He went on to say, in a deflated tone, that he hadn’t been able to find anyone to talk to about his plan and he was considering just switching over to business. When he said this my inner voice screamed NOOOOOOOOO! Business isn’t even close to what he wants to do (I won’t share that for anonymity) but he’s desperate for someone to safely assure him that he can reach his career goals. He wants to meet someone whose gone before him so there is proof it can be done.

    I can relate to him completely! When I went to college, I knew I wanted to write. I was good at writing. It brought me joy, made me feel complete, and was without a doubt my passion. I never put serious thought into making a living as a writer though. It wasn’t a safe choice. I ended up going with the safe choice and majoring in Elementary Education. For five years I was a teacher and one of the most freeing, joyful moments of my life was when I left teaching to stay home with my first daughter. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE kids! I savor my time volunteering at my daughters’ school and in my church. I’ve made it my mission to be one of those adults that all the kids love, but I don’t want to be “teacher” to any of them.

    Now I’m finally walking down the passion path and going for a career as a writer. I’ve gotten far enough along to know it is possible. My agent (gosh how I love the sound of that) will begin pitching my book to editors in the next few days. Last night I dreamed I stepped into an elevator and right as I did the power went off and it began to plunge. I was a little frightened but miraculously the elevator landed gently and I was unscathed. I interpreted the dream as a message about my career adventure. Following my passion isn’t going to be a breeze. When all is said and done I’ll probably have my fair share of grey hairs, but at least I will be at peace with myself-knowing I didn’t let fear or the desire for safety hold me back.

    What about you? Are you on the safe path or the passion path?

    Category Gratitude and Love, Journey to Publication, Writing | Tags: ,,,,,,,,,,,,, | 4 Comments