When Life Throws You Lemons

Recently I asked my Facebook friends the question "when life throws you lemons, what do you do?"

Common answers were "Duck!" "Make Lemonade!" and one said, "Duck, and then make lemonade!"

When it comes to rejections in the writing world, the "duck and then make lemonade" rings true. It's easy to tell others to just shrug it off and continue on, but when it happens to you, it's a bit more personal. The advice is good, but it may take a while to reach that point where you want to make lemonade.

First, you must lick your wounds. If that means you retreat from the writing world for a day or so, then do it! But, then you must come back with a vengeance. Rejection letters do not mean that you will not become published. Instead, a rejection letter should be looked upon as a rite of passage. You must submit your work to receive a rejection letter, so that means you've come much farther than a lot of people. Now, you just need to find the right agent or editor. That takes a lot of work and perseverance...a lot of lemonade.

So, hang in there and don't just duck when you get bombarded with lemons. Pick them up and make gallons of lemonade!

Thanks for stopping by!

Why Do I Write?

As I stare at the beautiful wooden name plate that declares I am a ~writer~, I ponder what that means.

Writers write. Plain and simple.

I love composing words and stringing them together to evoke emotions in the person who might one day gaze upon my creations. The joy of writing is in the physical action of placing one word after another, one paragraph after another, one page after another. The joy is in discovering new characters and entering into their lives. The joy is living in another world, shutting out the mundane, embarking on new adventures in my mind.

Writing give me a high. I'm energized, happy, and filled with a sense of accomplishment.

I breathe, therefore I live.

I live, therefore I write.

I write, therefore I am.

Decision -- A Laughing Matter

Today's word: Decide -- To arrive at a solution that ends uncertainty or dispute about; to bring to a definitive end; to induce to come to a choice; to make a choice or judgment.

What I'm Reading: Cup of Joe, by Teri Wilson

Picture of the Day:

I've been tossing around the meaning of decision this morning, so when I came cross this picture I took of my daughter's cat, I just had to post it. Why? Because so many times I have to laugh at the results of decisions I've made.

Making a decision does not mean a thing without action. A person can decide to perform an act, but without acting, the decision is meaningless. I can get up in the morning and decide to lose weight and go on an exercise regime. But unless I take positive steps to do that, my decision is like a leaf blowing away in the wind.

Likewise, I can make a decision to write. I can make the decision more clear by adding a page count, or word count, or time limit. But, unless I actually follow through, what good came from making that decision?

A clear example are New Year's Resolutions that are broken a few days into the year, or time-line established goals that are never fulfilled.

So, next time you make a decision, think further. Think about the laughing cat. Think about that finished product you've made a decision about. And, take it one step further. Take action on that decision!

Thanks for stopping by!