Discouragement has shrivelled my brain, invaded my senses, and messed with my Mo Jo. And yet, inspiration finds me in many ways, seeping through cracks and crevices and social media pages. Messages from the cosmos, words from individuals who have impacted the world with insight.
The latest road sign on the inspiration highway, words from Albert Einstein, appeared on my Facebook newsfeed:
“The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before.”
Pretty heady stuff, eh?
I don’t see myself as a shapeless face in the crowd. I’m a writer with a blog–not exactly original–but I have embraced the unique…
Haven’t I?
I don’t blog about writing. Writing is b-o-r-i-n-g. Trust me, writing’s what I do for a living, and it is not glamourous at all.
It also isn’t much of a living. Snort.
Because I am a writer, the writing life flavours my posts, but rarely is writing the feature point of my posts. Not even today.
At a recent workshop, front row and basking in the glow of literary agent extraordinaire, Donald Maass, I found validation: I dont’ have to fit a pre-defined genre to be successful as a writer. It’s okay if not everyone gets my work. The lead in my pencil nearly snaps as I scribble Maassisms into my notebook, and this one? Well, this one warrants an asterisk and a double-underline, followed by an exclamation point:
“A great story, beautifully told, will find an audience.”
And still, I struggle.
I struggle to understand why I struggle.
The quote from Einstein fuels me with hope, yet at the same time, fuels my angst. If the crowd I must escape were a circle, and each road I could take were a degree, then there are 360 paths I could choose.
Which way shall I go?
Enter, a man with a dream and a tightrope and a gazillion gallons of rushing water.
Every journey begins with a step. The world watched Nik Wallenda achieve his goal Step by dangerous Step.
But the first step of Nik’s journey did not begin when he set foot on the wire on June 15.
Impressive as Nik’s walk across the falls was, I was every bit as inspired by his earnestness. In an age of political correctness, when many refrain from speaking their faith out loud for fear they may offend, Nik Wallenda brought his faith to the forefront. He did not lose his equilibrium because his focus was on his faith, his creator, his saviour. His focus did not falter because his faith was sound.
Lately, I’ve felt my focus is on vacation. Nik’s walk reminded me of an Old Testament passage. As I set out to write this post, I pulled out my Bible, thinking, first, before I start my day, I must renew with prayer, something I’ve done little of the last year.
Bible in my hands, the book fell open to the passage. Numbers 21: 4-9
Walking the tightrope, Nik did something many of us do not, or if we do, we do so in our heads. He spoke his faith. Unconventional in this day and age. Certainly, a tightrope step away from the crowd.
Through Nik’s example, my focus is sharpened, and back where it belongs, one sure-footed, concentrated step outside the crowd.
Wowsa! And what a passage that is! I never fail to be thoroughly awed that words scribed thousands of years ago continue to fit so beautifully and perfectly all these ages past. Just last night I received some disappointing news, and I just about fell off my chair this morning when I looked up your passage above (having a curious mind and all…) and found precisely the answer I needed to be hit over the head with! Coincidence? Nope. Never. God doesn’t deal in chance or random accidents.
It’s such a mysterious process, this personal journey stuff. When I struck out on my own so many bajilion years ago, it wasn’t necessarily by choice, and yet, it has proven to a perfect fit. I found strength in unexpected places, blessings I didn’t earn, courage when I was being a cowardly lion, truth right were it’s always been waiting.
And even when we choose to take those first steps into the unknown, buoyed by faith and not necessarily reason, it’s pretty incredible to take an occasional glance over your shoulder and see you really haven’t been alone at all.
Aha, Barbara. God’s timing is perfect. Ours? Not so much. Glad you found your way all those bajillion years ago–you look marvellous, btw–and I know you will find your rhythm as you deal with last night’s news.
With this post already drafted and the schedule button clicked, I read more timely magic. A post by Elaine Smothers, What Faith Can Do. Give it a read.
http://elainesmothers.wordpress.com/2012/06/03/what-faith-can-do/
And, today’s post by Marcia Richards also features Einstein. http://marcia-richards.com/2012/06/20/3989/
And, Marcia’s post on Life List Club features a great story about Einstein:
http://lifelistclub.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/albert-einsteins-secret-to-a-creative-life/
I think it’s a human condition to ebb and flow through life feeling like we’re floundering at times. I’m not sure why you’ve lost your faith, Sherry. I’m here to tell you your lack of faith in your writing is not warranted. Your words are always provacative, dynamic and creatively strung.
This career choice we’ve made isn’t for woosies. I’m celebrating that you’ve learned you don’t need to pigeonhole your writing. You are unique and my faith is in your stories being read by gazillions.
Oooo. Provocative. And I’m not even wearing my leopard print pumps! Snort!
Thanks for the encouragement, Sharon, and for your faith.
I adore the quote. Amazing, that the same man who couldn’t tie his shoes understood and unearthed the mysterious truths in life.
Loved this post, Sherry.
~ C
And by that quote, he understood something about womanhood that we women need to be hit over the head with. Go, Albert!
Thanks for reading, Cara.
Most definitely. Maybe even a few times, eh?
My pleasure.
Keep writing. Keep putting pen to paper and fingers to keyboard. You write good things. Really good things that people need to read. Keep doing it and break away from the crowd. I have faith in you.
Urve, I’m so stoked about your historical YA. I know the perspective of your young heroines has the power to change perception and teach a new generation, and their parents! Your work is beautiful and relevant!
What can I say that hasn’t already been said? You know I also question my voice and my talent at times and, without faith, it’s insidious and debilitating.
Write true to your own voice and you are golden. Because you have a “voice” that is uniquely your own and oh-so-talented and a joy to read. Add that to your knowledge of the craft and you emerge a winner.
SOMEONE wrote the first book in every sub-genre that is out there. If your talent doesn’t fit any “slot”, don’t look at those Ostrich tails — let them follow your leopard print shoes all the way to the stars.
I find myself getting a big boost (and a kick-into-gear) lately when people query about what I write. Then, ask where they can buy my books. I tell them it’s Romantic Comedy with Heavy Suspense and Steam Hits.*
On the “where can I buy” question, I say I’ll let them know as soon as the book is ready for purchase. It kind of makes it seem “real” to me to say that with the voice of confidence. The Power of Expectation ROCKS!
YOU are THE Sherry Isaac. Unique. Talented. Determined.
*No. I wont’ use that in query letters. I don’t want to invite a “what the….” (best not to finish that sentence) from agents.
Oh. My. Goodness.
Urve, Gloria, my purpose for this post was to step from the crowd, but also to encourage stepping from the crowd, and comments would sprout stories from readers who’ve done just that. If I’d known fishing for compliments could be so easy… LOL
Seriously, tho, I so appreciate the rally and the support. Your faith in me gives me a sharp kick in the keister, the courage to keep believing, and the strength to kick doubt to the curb.
Thank you!!!
Gloria, it is natural to doubt your voice, but trust me, you have no reason to.
Work on your craft (as you already do), write what grabs you, and people will be captivated. I know I often am at the words in your blog posts. I agree Sharon. There is an ebb and flow in the human condition. Sometimes I am an amazing writer and other times I stink, literally waving hand in-front of nose, pee-eew. It’s nice to know I’m not alone. Write on sister.
Megan, forget the pee-eww. All I sense on your blog is the sweet perfume of creative individuality, relevance, poignancy and fun, in beautiful, equal measure.
Total blush! Seriously, red as an over-ripe tomato. Thanks, Sherry!!
Sherry, it is not only that we can either walk with the crowd or walk alone. We are more like snowflakes … each unique and beautiful … each falling from the sky as God’s amazing creation.
Where will we land? What is our fate? Do we melt and vanish when we become earth bound? Or are we still there in the swell of a moutain stream each spring?
When each mountain stream travels along each river bank to find an ocean … the snow flake is still there.
YOu are also
Ah, Florence, how profound and lovely. Such is the circle of life. Next time we’re on that snowy mountain top, what say we build a fort?
You, Sherry, are an amazing, talented writer whose stories will be read and envied by many for years and years to come. I truly believe that. I, for one, am glad you’ve been stepping out from the crowd. I’m excited to see where it leads you.
Where it leads me… Tami, I am panicking over the guest post I promised. But, I am happy where my path has led me, because of the support I find in friends like you. So, stepping away from the blush to say, thanks, and… Ditto!
Good piece, Sherry. You look at yourself and your work through mature eyes. And I loved the reference to Nik Wallenda.
Mature. Snort. David, you must keep reading!
Beautiful and powerful post, Sherry! Don’t you hate it when discouragement comes knocking, barges into your living room, and plops down on your sofa like he actually lives there? I’ve been experiencing similar struggles of late and my mojo is getting restless. It wants the sofa back.
Thank you for the gracious mention and for writing what we all need to remember: ‘we are not alone’ and faith trumps discouragement every day of the week!
Oh, Elaine, discouragement is so rude, isn’t it? Trouble is, we let it free load, we let discouragement move in and take over our lease… on life.
Kick discouragement to the curb, says I!
I love Albert even more now. I never read that quote before but, it’s perfect, isn’t it? Go your own way. I used to be worried about what genre my stories fit into and about writing in the same genre forever. I’m not going to be pigeonholed by the writing “experts” who that’s the only way to do it. I’m going my own way. Making my own path with my own unique writing. Alberta’s words are a great affirmation that will be hung by my computer. Thanks.
Marcia, have you ever watched the 1994 movie, I.Q., with Walter Matthau as Albert Einstein? Science intimidates me, but to see Einstein in a romantic comedy, fictionalized as I know it was, made him, and science, relatable.
Bend the rules, break the rules, make the rules! Let’s stretch the motto, Be Your Own Person, to Be Your Own Genre! WOOT!
Great quote and great post. It’s hard not to be discouraged as a writer. You do your thing, because your thing is very good, Sherry Isaac. Keep on writing for you and the rest of us will get it later!