Joy in the Journey
Those of you that know me, know that the journey from idea to book in this first instance has taken an extraordinarily long time. It wasn’t a journey that I was consciously on at first. I was writing lots of different things and enjoying the process and learning from the experience and a small group of writers from my area. We were all novices but we found we had a lot to offer each other in terms of perspective - seeing what we were each too close to was huge as I developed as a writer.
So what am I learning from this odyssey from dabbler to indie author? So much and yet, as always, not nearly all there is to know.
I have talent. I don’t say this to brag but, rather, as a reminder. I have always been quick to dismiss my own abilities under the “If I can do it, can’t everyone?” model of self-encouragement. But I love what I am able to do with words and have used that talent in enough different arenas and with enough positive feedback that I am finally allowing myself to believe it. Always. Not just when I publish. Not just when someone else validates it for me. Always.
Creativity is not linear. I have not found there to be a straight line between any starting point and the ultimate destination. It’s OK to not even know what the destination is and just be open to whatever twists and turns present themselves. I have long been a ‘find the joy in journey’ kind of gal, but I am also embracing the new-to-me concept that setting specific goals is critical to the process. The goal doesn’t create a straight line so much as a north star. The final product may be something different than originally conceived but, importantly, there will BE a final product and maybe it won’t take over a decade to materialize.
I love collaborating. Having monthly meetings with my writer’s group is definitely the only reason I didn’t quit writing years ago. The support, encouragement, constructive criticism and inspiration that comes from these wonderful women has made all the difference. And as Ready, Regan? got closer to publication, I also collaborated with a group of young readers who gave me awesome feedback and made the book so much better. It was also just fun to see how differently their minds worked. I’ve lined up a great little team of collaborators for the sequel and they never fail to make me smile and laugh out loud.
My favorite current collaborator is my niece, the real Regan. We are a lot alike it turns out, so I am enjoying sharing my little spotlight with her and seeing her enjoy a bit of notoriety. Today we are doing a Facebook Live - Meet the Real Regan event. It’s a total throw the noodle at the wall and hope it sticks kind of moment but so much fun to share it with her. It just makes it all a fuller and richer experience when other people are invested and excited to talk about the journey and the possibilities.
Some things are just harder than you imagine. A lot of life is like this, of course, but I am learning not to rail at the challenges that seem so unnecessary since that only adds to my misery. I’m working to use that energy to figure out why it feels hard and decide whether it’s out of my control (in which case acceptance is likely the best path) or if I can change my approach to make it better.
I have no patience anymore for the pursuit of perfection. Perfectionists lack the courage to put their voice and their work out into the world and that’s not good for any of us. There is such a thing as damn good and holding out for perfect just means you’ll never consider any creative project complete. There’s always another edit, another paint color, or a different lyric. While I do believe 100% in letting things sit and revising (and revising and revising…), I also believe at some point you have to jump into the arena and stop worrying about the lions.
And now, taking my own advice, I’m going to hit save & publish even though I know there’s more to say (and also less to say) and other ways to say it. Have a wonderful weekend (if that construct still has any significance to you in our new coronavirus reality)!