Friday, November 20, 2009

I'm Hanging Up My Shoes! November, Day 5

As most of you know, I've been taking a more relaxed approach to blogging this week. I'm not posting new shoe pictures, and I'm writing about the five words my friend Deb at Ranch Girl Ramblings gave me. Today's word is: SUNSETS. Most people think of endings when they think of sunsets. Which is true. After all, they do signify that the day is drawing to a close. But I prefer to think of a sunset as a sign that I made it through till the end of that day, good or bad. When we finish a novel, it's always bitter-sweet. It feels like something has ended, but, at the same time, it gives us confirmation that we can, and actually have, completed something. It also marks the point of a new beginning. How do you feel about sunsets? Are they a dreaded ending, or do they give you a sense of accomplishment? Have a great weekend!

40 comments:

Melanie's Randomness said...

Oh accomplishment. I love Sunsets. They make me happy. Ending of a paper or my first novel will be such an accomplishment that I just can't wait. =)

I hope you have a great weekend!!! =)

Natalie said...

It depends on the day. Some days (or novels) are so wonderful it's hard to say good-bye. And others are just ready to be done :)

Julie Dao said...

Sunsets are always bittersweet for me, even if the story was difficult to write. I hate letting go of things!

Jill Kemerer said...

Sunsets are so beautiful. I look forward to them--such deep, gorgeous colors. My books aren't as deep when I start them, but like the sunset, are so rich when they are finished.

Have a terrific weekend!

Rae said...

I see a sunset as a celebration. It's the pinnacle point of success. A time to reflect back on all that you have accomplished.

Regina Quentin said...

I love sunsets. At least the ones that occur after a day of accomplishments. I can't stand having unproductive days.

Finishing a book is like a beautiful sunset for sure. It's beautiful, relaxing, and it's a moment in which you can just exhale and exist.

Carolyn V. said...

Sense of accomplishment. And then the revisions start. =)

Karen M. Peterson said...

Sunrise used to be my favorite time of day. It meant the day was full of possibilities. Anything could happen.

Now, I live for sunsets. knowing that I made it. That I survived. That I can get to sleep soon. It's a really nice feeling.

Deb said...

I love sunsets and beautiful endings. Nice word to end the week on! Thanks for the mentions :) and have a great weekend Susan!!

Leah Rubin said...

I totally love sunsets, and they do bring on the evening, which is usually a time of relaxation. I'm okay with all of that!

And a lovely weekend to you, too!

L. T. Host said...

I just love sunsets :)

I love endings, too. I always feel satisfied when I write "the end" because I feel like the story's done; there's no more to tell, etc. It's a nice feeling, like reading a book except I wrote it.

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

I love them--even better than sunrises! Sunsets keep me dreaming.

Roni Loren said...

I love typing "the end" even when I know I'm still a few drafts away from done. There is nothing like the feeling of finishing a story you've worked so hard on. It is also bittersweet though.

Nancy said...

I love sunsets because of their sheer beauty. If there was anything heavy in the day, it is all washed away in the glory of the thing.

Anonymous said...

Sunsets to me mean it is nighttime, which means the kids go to bed.

Sunsets in writing mean the story is almost finished. Not that I've even been there...

Lillian Robinson said...

To me, sunsets mean whatever was on my schedule and didn't get done, I'm not to think about until tomorrow. Sunsets signal time to relax!

With my book, I don't see it that way... Getting to the end will signal time for the real work!

Paul Greci said...

A little bit of both in terms of writing. In real life I love witnessing sunsets. That's one cool thing about Alaska in the winter. The sunset lasts for an hour. Amazing colors. Same with sunrise. Very long. The sun doesn't get very high in the sky but it takes a long time for true darkness to set in.

Sherrie Petersen said...

I love watching a literal sunset, and finishing a book brings such a sense of accomplishment. Even if it sucks! Besides, the end of one thing is just the beginning of another. It's all good :)

Deborah Ann said...

Love sunsets! If the day was good and I didn't want it to end, that's okay. There will be another. If the day was yuck and I almost didn't survive, geesh! Thank God that's over...

Clementine said...

I could stare at a sunset forever if it would last. I've always thought of them as an excuse to stop and enjoy the beauty around me. I always think about how God is the Master artist. They're sort of like the perfect ending to the day, ya know?

Heather Sunseri said...

Sunsets and ends of stories give that sense of accomplishment, most definitely. I love both.

Name: Holly Bowne said...

I love sunsets. We have family that lives in a city right on Lake Michigan and we visit them every summer. One of our favorite things to do is to watch the sunsets there. No two are ever the same. Ironically, just yesterday I wrote a scene which takes place during a sunset on Lake Michigan in my WIP! :)

Eileen Astels Watson said...

I just love the look of sunsets. I don't really think of them as the end of a day or a sign of accomplishment. Just enjoy the melding of the colours.

AiringMyLaundry said...

I am a fan of sunsets, that's for sure.

Stacey J. Warner said...

There is almost nothing better than sunsets. I could watch them every night. I mark a lot of occasions by watching a sunset.

much love

Patti said...

A definite sense of accomplishments, although now that I'm done my editing I'm not what to do with myself.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Golly, I've missed so much around here lately! I've got to get back on track.

With any luck, a sunset means a beautiful end.

Stephanie Thornton said...

Oh my gosh! Finishing a novel is huge cause for celebration- my hubby and I go out to dinner and have some nice wine. I'm hoping our next celebratory dinner is for landing an agent!

erica m. chapman said...

I'm not sure the sun ever sets on any of my ideas. They are beautiful when they happen but in the end it's still dark... I have no idea what that means ;)

Ask me the same question when I complete my first one!!
:O)

Amy DeTrempe said...

Sunsets remind me of God and to slow down. They didn't always but when my middle child (now 18) at the age of 5 exclaimed while we were driving "isn't it beautiful". Sunsets will alwasy remind me of that moment. It was on of those that was red, yellow, orange, blue to purple. It was breathtaking and beautiful and my 5 year old had to point it out to me.

The romantic query letter and the happy-ever-after said...

I dance when I finish writing my novels. I love your blog and will follow. All the very best.

Dawn Simon said...

Finishing a novel feels sooo good. It's a huge sense of accomplishment. I also see the bittersweet side.

I know people ride off into the sunset, but we imagine their stories to go on. Maybe sunsets are beautiful pauses, a time to take in and appreciate all we have at particular moments.

Angie Muresan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Angie Muresan said...

Forgive me Susan, I don't know what I did and deleted it. Just said that I love sunsets.

Just Joany said...

Oh, no, Susan. All I know is the absolute pure joy of being alive or, in the case of writing, that same breathtaking thrill at having had the experience with the characters in my work.
And who can see a sunset or finish a writing project and not know they have been blessed?
~ Yaya

Yaya's Changing World

4 Life said...

sunsets give me a sense of peace. And a sense that God has been busy being 'artsy'!

Ellie Kings said...

I think you said it well, endings are bitter-sweet!

#167 Dad said...

I don't really tie sunrises or sunsets to starts or finishes. I suppose I look at them the best parts of the day, as - gifts.

Glynis Peters said...

I love the beauty of a sunset, they are a sign that tomorrow is on its way.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

I never have associated sunsets with death. They are so beautiful and often I don't think of death as being so. Also, I'm a night hawk so I don't see sunset as the end of the day. Now, pulling my butt out of bed in the morning?