Transformation Doesn't Happen Unless You're Willing

I believe that when you stop renewing and are no longer open to change and the possibilities that continually unfold, you stop being alive and are just getting through the years. Transformation doesn't happen unless you're willing: It's your choice ~ Oprah Winfrey

Change is hard for everyone. I know, I am one of the most routine and rigid people I know. The thing about new ideas that I've realized over the years is that the ideas that make the most impact to what I'm doing are usually the best.

Case in point, I recently read that you should re-type your manuscript completely at least once.  Back in May, I was trying to get Disappear with Me polished and sent off to Musa Publishing about the same time we were finishing A Place to Call Their Own.

I wanted to get the manuscript done and I was frustrated with my own lack of editing skill when looking at my own work.  I was reading through what should have been a final read-through and I was finding all sorts of mistakes and opportunities to polish the manuscript. So I acquiesced and started retyping the whole thing. 

Editing for A Place to Call Their Own took precedence in June, but I am back on track in July.  I have almost completed another rewrite/revision of Disappear With Me and will be ready to submit it soon. 

Lesson learned, I have to be open the ideas and suggestions that I resist the most.

What lesson have you learned in your dream journey by being more open to new ideas? 


P.S.

Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Happy 18th Birthday, Bryce!

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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
 
When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from OmniLit today!

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Let Love Direct Us

You do not need to hide your fears or pretend you are stronger than you are. Sharing tenderness and caring, we can let love direct us ~ Ed and Deb Shapiro

So what are you afraid of?  Now that we've got that out of the way, let's move on. 

It's okay to be a little scared when you embark on your dream journey.  I've had so many peaks and valleys and as I come down to the wire for publication, the anticipation is killng me...I can't wait.

I do consider myself lucky.  I have a supportive partner and extended family, some great online friends (writers and otherwise) and a local group of writers cheering me on.  Their love and support will carry me through to publication day and beyond. 

What can you do differently in your journey to let love direct you?

Where Do I Start?

You grow the most in the area where you already show some natural advantage, some natural area of talent or strength or passion. That's where you start ~ Marcus Buckingham

Where do you start when you undertake a big dream journey?  You start at a natural area strength or passion or talent, just like the quote says.  It's that simple.

I started writing by just sitting down and thinking about my characters and getting the story going.  Now the beginning section of A Place to Call Their Own has undergone some adjustments, but the intent of the story has always been the same.  My strength and passion was that I wanted to write a novel, I developed the talent along the way.

Where do you start when you dig into a new project?

You Can't Use Up Creativity

You can't use up creativity.  The more you use, the more you have.
Maya Angelou

Yesterday was Maya Angelou's birthday.  When I read this quote, I knew that she was speaking directly to me.  This is much like the Abundance principle taught by Stephen Covey in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People or Rhonda Byrne in The Secret.  If you use your creativity, you gain more.  This is a hard lesson I’ve learned in the last two weeks.

I’ve said before in this forum that I used to worry about running out of interesting things to blog about.  However, I knew I needed to figure out how to make this become a daily routine to help my writing career blossom.  So I took a leap of faith a couple of weeks ago and just started blogging on a daily basis.

I have to share, I feel pretty proud of myself.   I’ve made a blog entry every day for the last two weeks, sans a couple of weekend days (My weekend days, which are Fridays and Saturdays to most of you).  And, I know that I’m supposed to post something every day, and that successful writers don’t take days off.  I also understand the importance of blogging every day and how that helps my fiction writing.  I’m getting there.  This week I am two posts ahead of schedule which should help with this issue.  I have also started reaching out to some colleagues and asking for guest blogs.  Now that I have a small following on Twitter and the blog itself, I know that there are supporters out there looking forward to my daily post. 

One thing that has helped me create an entry is reviewing/reflecting on the recent books I’ve read myself.  That has brought easy, immediate topics.  I have about a year’s worth of good reading to talk about.  Another easy topic has been the television programs I’ve been watching, that are worth blogging about.  Right now, the most noteworthy is Oprah and her episodes she did herself on Master Class.

Previously, I thought that non-fiction writers had an easier job of coming up with daily blog topics.  Now I know that fiction writers can come up with them just as well.  So, if you’re an aspiring writer like me, trying to build a platform, just start blogging.  Blog about whatever comes to mind:  the latest book you’ve read, TV show you’ve watched, or event that you attended.  As plain and simple as it may be, there are supporters out there who are interested in what you have to say.  Go for it!

If you’re new to blogging/writing, do you feel the same way?  If you’ve been at this a while, would you agree?  I’d love your comment either way!  Have a great day, everyone!