Friday, September 17, 2010

It's time for a little fluffy inspiration!

Okay, so I was out with my friends from high school last night, and I realized something. We are all at different stages of life. Our night out ended early because of several reasons. One friend had to get home to make sure her seventeen-year-old wasn't up to no good. My other friend had to get home to put her eight-year-old in bed, and I had to get home to help my twelve-year-old study for a test. You see, we are all in different stages of life, yet we all have a common goal: to raise our kids to be the best people they possibly can be. Same holds true with my writing journey. I've made a lot of friends, some will be published soon, some have signed with agents, and some are just starting out. No matter where we are, we all have a common goal: get our work in the hands of readers. My friend with the eight-year-old commented at dinner that she couldn't wait until her kids were older because they were such a pain in the you-know-what, and I have to admit, I got a little teary-eyed. Sometimes, I wish my kids were still little. I'd love to go back and relive that part of my journey. Other times, though, I'm happy to say that I've been there, done that, and I survived. I don't want to look back on my writing journey and view the hard times as a bad thing. I want to look back at every stage as a blessing, as a necessary part of growing stronger. I want to look back and get teary-eyed because that part of my journey is over, but know that I've been there, done that, and survived. So, my point (and you know I always have one) is this: embrace where you are now and soak up everything. You can never go back to this stage of your writing journey. If you don't pay attention, you just might miss something. Okay, now, go and fluff your own feathers, no matter where you are, because, no doubt, it's a good place to be. Have a great weekend!

30 comments:

storyqueen said...

Sometimes I wish mine were younger, too! It's so amazing how fast it all goes.

Good point to embrace wherever we are.

Shelley

Jaydee Morgan said...

What an excellent way to look at it! I'm going to really try to enjoy every step of the way :)

Stephanie McGee said...

Those look like they tickle.

Hope your weekend's a good one!

Stina said...

I love this post, Susan! I keep telling my kids not to get any older, but I certainly wouldn't want to be the writer I was a year ago. Though I do wish I knew then what I know now. ;)

Jessie Oliveros said...

I love where I am right now. Small children, staying-at-home, writing (no pressure writing), son who loses it on the way to preschool. Okay, maybe not the last part. But this is where I'm supposed to be right now, and I'm happy with it.

Jen said...

My two favorite lines from this:

"wasn't up to no good"
and
"fluff your feathers".

I love the double negative and the surprise that it's not what I expected! And of course, it's always helpful to fluff your feathers, especially on Friday! Hope you have a great weekend Susan!

Midlife Roadtripper said...

"If you don't pay attention, you just might miss something"

And then there is the problem of not remembering as it becomes a blur as the years go. That's where a journal comes in handy.

Tere Kirkland said...

You're so right, Susan, every part of the journey is a blessing, especially the hard times. Those trials by fire are what forge us into who we are today. I'm blessed to know so many wonderful people who have helped me get to where I am today, including yourself!

So thanks! Also, where can I get myself a pair of albino wookie slippers? Those look comfy! ;)

Anonymous said...

"Embrace where you are now." That is a mantra to live by. Thanks, Susan :-)

Julie Dao said...

Well said! I love how you wrote this. It's hard to remember to enjoy every step of the journey but it's good to remind ourselves that one day we may never experience this part again!

VICTORIA SAAVEDRA said...

It's so important to enjoy the journey!! I love this post!

Theresa Milstein said...

I think every stage our children go through is hard and easy. Right now, mine are 8 and 12.

And I feel the same way about writing. I come across blogs where people are just beginning, and others with a few published books. I agree, we should enjoy where we are, and know it's more work to get where we want to be.

Laura Pauling said...

Susan - Your post ties in so well with mine. Enjoying blogging for the friendships and support! Very encouraging post.

Faith said...

Fluff my own feathers! Now there's some good imagery :) I think I'll just do that right now... and maybe have some chocolate. Ah, what better way to celebrate one's place along the journey? :D

Janna Leadbetter said...

This is wise thinking, Susan. Good stuff.

Robyn Campbell said...

*fluff* *fluff* Love this post. It shows me that no matter what, I'm where I want to be right now. And hopefully, as I start to query, I'll snag an agent and a contract. That's where I REALLY wanna be. hehe

And it's all a blessing, but I miss those times when the kids snuggled up to me. But then again, it's nice to see the men and woman they are turning into. I'm TORN!

Have a safe and wonderful weekend. :)

Stephanie Thornton said...

My daughter is three and while I'm glad she's not a baby anymore, I already miss her at one and two. I plan to cherish every age!

Jennifer Shirk said...

Oh, I wish my kidlet was younger too! Those were good times!!
Sometimes I wish I could go back writing-wise too. When I didn't worry about rules and just...wrote. :)

Tana said...

What a great analogy for the writing life! And yes, I wish I still had a houseful of babies too, but am desperately glad I survived. ;)

Sherrie Petersen said...

Beautifully said. I get wistful for my kids being younger, but I love who they are right now. I'm not sure I always enjoy my writing journey as much as I enjoy my kids, though!

Laura Martone said...

Though I agree, Susan, that we should always embrace the moment and appreciate where we are at any given time, that's not always easy when you feel like you're standing still and not moving forward with your literary goals. Seems like I've been delaying my revision for a while now, and with back-to-back travel guides, it's hard to see that situation changing any time soon. Thanks, nonetheless, for your inspirational words!

Anonymous said...

Agreed. It really is about the journey. There are times in my life where I was too full of diapers, backpacks, and lunches to even do writing. And that's okay. My goal of sharing my writing is moving slow, but, like children, the time seems faster when viewing from the window that opens to the past.

Toyin O. said...

It is all about taking life one day at a time. The journey is always more important than the destination.

http://youcanfacetodaybecausehelives.blogspot.com

Glynis Peters said...

Your post made me think. I never want to go back. My writing moved to a different genre this month. I now wonder am I writing for my future Grandchildren, if I am blessed. For no reason a children's book idea popped into my head.

Our writing journey is a winding path, but an exciting one.

Corey Schwartz said...

Yes, we should definitely embrace where we are. It's hard sometimes, but it is good advice.

My husband likes to quote from the Rent soundtrack. In fact,he made us write this into our wedding vows ... "There's only us, there's only this. Forget regret, or life is yours to miss."

#167 Dad said...

Good to see you bak in the blog world.
It's good to have an to journey toward, but it's the journey that matters in the end.

Karen M. Peterson said...

Too many of us wish away the present by anxiously awaiting some event in the future. Whether it's raising children or writing a novel or just getting through a baseball season, this advice is appropriate for EVERY stage in life.

Diane J. said...

Seriously, where were 7 years ago with this knowledge. When my twins were two, my sanity was shot. Now that they are nine, I wish I could go back and enjoy the mischief a little longer.

But, I'm in the early toddler stages of my writing and I am listening to you now. Thank You!

Diane J. said...

Whoops, I meant to ask "where were you 7 years ago?"

Name: Holly Bowne said...

I totally agree, Susan! You said it when you referred to writing as a "journey." It is a journey and one I intend to enjoy every step of the way.