IWSG: Cheeseburgers are Paradise-- Writing is Work
Alex is such a sneaky web ninja, many forget he has some truly amazing books you can buy and read! Buy his books HERE or check out posts from other insecure writers HERE on the IWSG page.
It's also the time to make resolutions and break them and then feel like an insecure loser!!!
Yay!!!
What no Yay?
You don’t like to fail?
Good to hear!! Now, let’s talk goals. And reality.
Every year I swear I am going to get skinny. I swear off junk food, the couch, the Diet Coke, the crack (just seeing if you’re actually reading!) only to find that all paths lead back to cheeseburgers. Problem is: I don’t truly give a damn about my chubby bottom. See, I like cheeseburgers and I’m not truly motivated to tell them good-bye… and yes, I do want fries with them!
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| Cheeseburgers: Delicious and they make me look taller |
You know…I wish I was a size two…
But not enough to work at it…
I used to have the same dreamy approach with my writing.
Until 2012.
I decided to face my insecurities (public humiliation, rejection and possibly the failing of the one dream that pretty much took up the entire space in my bucket!) and take writing seriously.
I told myself, “Self, you’re not a total idiot. You have some skills. You can do this!”
And self replied, “I’m scared. If I fail…eeps…what will I have to live for?”
To which I sagely advised, “Stop being a chicken crap. If you blow this, it’s only because you never tried.”
So self and I went to work. We pretended it was a job and we set aside at least four hours a day to writing, revising, networking, studying, and querying.
In February 2012, I was offered a contract.
In June, "Past Due" was released.
In August I signed my second book contract.
In September, I cashed my first royalty check.
In December, "Healing Summer" was released.
If you would have told me on New Year’s Day 2012 this would happen, I’d have thought you were just trying to butter me up for a loan. Or trying to steal my Big Mac.
Here’s where you have to decide: are you serious or just a dreamer like weight-loss-wishing McMe?
If you're serious, get over the fear (it’s really just insecurity) and get to work. Until execution matches expectation, you aren’t trying nearly hard enough. For big dreams to come true, big work needs done.
*Now, for those who admit you aren’t serious and have no desire to work hard...well you just need to know this: You are NOT a talentless hack…you’re unfocused, complacent, and unmotivated. You can’t despair and call yourself a failure when you aren’t yet trying. That’s no Whopper! It’s straight truth…with cheese on it.
photo credit: d.billy via photopin cc
Well done, you! 2012 was a great year for you :)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I'm serious, and determined, and yet I do have an awful lot of projects that I work on at a time and most of them are not anywhere near "final draft" state. Still, I'm determined to do a lot more revising this year :)
You will do it Tricia! The determination is the biggest factor. I've seen lots of talented people quit because they lose hope under the misguided notion that if they are spewing magic in their first drafts, they'll never make it.
DeleteIt's hard work, but i will say this...every writer buddy I I have known since I first started, the ones who have refused to quit, are all under some sort of contract. None got there by magic or by luck. They got there by sweat (well, more like carpal tunnel, but you get what I mean!)
Go you! Sounds like your 2012 rocked. You have such a good point about the writing and working. It is hard, hard, work. Congrats on your strings of success, and I hope 2013 brings you even more. (now, I want a burger!)
ReplyDeleteFrom your mouth to God's ears, Rena! I'd love for 2013 to be lucrative...oops, I mean productive! Best of blessings to you too!
DeleteLoving the pep talk, Elizabeth! Congrats on all your 2012 success - long may it continue!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kyra! You had a rockin' 2012 too!!Here's to more in 2013.
DeleteMmmm Cheeseburgers. Yum. This post managed to make me feel both hungry and motivated. I like it - there is no such thing as laziness just lacking motivation. Thanks for that, and putting the taste of a cheeseburger in my mind. Cheers
ReplyDeleteAnd sometimes it's tough to be motivated because we don't know where to start, that's not laziness either. Enjoy the cheeseburger!
DeleteI didn't meet my weight loss goal either, probably because I didn't even attempt anything. But you are so right about the fear. It has been holding me back and I need to just let it go. Thank you for this great post.
ReplyDeleteI've found the fear never goes away. You get a contract, then you fear people will hate the book. People like the first book, then you worry it was a fluke and they will hate the second book. I guess the trick is just learning to do it afraid.
DeleteBest of luck in 2013!
Happy new year, Elizabeth! Cheeseburgers FTW! I can never give up my fave fatty foods for good. I sacrifice a better figure for it, but you know what, I"m not a supermodel and therefore do not have to live like one. As long as we are healthy and happy, that's what matters. Besides skinny is out. (I'm pushing for that anyway...lol)
ReplyDeleteYou had a very productive 2012. Good for you. I agree that unless we're willing to work on it, we can't expect results.
Happy new year to you too PK! And I'm all for an all out campaign against being ultra-skinny. I mean seriously, how will they survive a nuclear holocaust without at least a little extra padding?
DeleteWow, a no-nonsense, say it straight bit of encouragement. Love it! Happy New Year
ReplyDeleteThanks Heather. Life's too busy for nonsense anyhow. :)
DeleteI totally hate when fear is the reason I don't attempt goals. Ticks me off. I don't mind failure if I'm trying. Failure because of fear is unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteBy the way-- got to love a post title that incorporates Buffett.
Excellent song...love it.
DeleteI have those bouts of fear. But you're right, not trying is the only true failure.
Good for you, Elizabeth! (And I'm with you on the losing weight thing. Turns out, I really don't care enough!)
ReplyDeleteI'm very complacent. I blame my husband for not noticing and telling me I look good.
DeleteWith cheese on it! Cool. Best wishes to you in 2013! And I busted out the P90X to get back into shape. That's what works for me.
ReplyDeleteI own that! But like every other piece of unused exercise equipment in my house, it only works if you put the effort in. It has sat on my shelf for a year and hasn't helped me a bit.
DeleteThe pic with the dog was hilarious! Best of luck with 2013 and the post for tomorrow is ready.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sheena! See you tomorrow. :)
DeleteLove the doggie picture. Great to start the year off with a bit of humor. From what you've laid out about your successes last year, I'd say you did a smashing job! Here's to another year of publication and royalty checks!
ReplyDeleteI think that sounds awesome!
DeleteYou're the best motivator on the planet, lady! And only you could come up w/a post this hilarious! Here's to another awesome year! Fasten your seat belt because 2013 will be one to remember! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're too kind Celeste!
DeleteWhen it became something you really wanted, you made it happen!
ReplyDeleteYou said it exactly, but in much fewer words!
DeleteWell said. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
Deletewoot woot!! love this realistic approach & success story!
ReplyDeletedo it or lose it! yeah, baby!
woot woot back at ya!
DeleteCongrats on all your well earned success! Love this realistic look at putting foundations under our dream castles! Having said that, I need to carve out those four hours a day somewhere instead of just one or two.
ReplyDeleteBut if one or two is all you can squeeze in, that's better than nothing!! And far better than quitting!
DeleteThat's awesome! So glad things worked out for you! I decided a few months ago that I had to release my death-grip on my original story idea from eight years ago and write something completely new and different, if I wanted to get anywhere as an author. And now, I have a much easier book to work with that I'm in love with! I can't wait to get this sucker polished up and sent out to agents because I know this is the one.
ReplyDeleteI think moving on when you feel stuck is the best thing a writer can do. Wise move.
DeleteGreat achievements in 2012. Best of luck in 2013!
ReplyDeleteYou too Annalisa!
DeleteAMEN! May 2013 be even more incredible! And now I'm really craving a cheeseburger! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely having an incredible year!!!
DeleteI have a sudden craving for cheeseburger and fries. You got my attention with the crack comment. LOL
ReplyDeleteYou were the first (and only) person to comment on that! I should give you some sort of prize!!
Delete