Monday, June 4, 2012

Trusting the Process...In the Meantime

Cover design by Amanda Oakes
I haved dreamed of being a writer for some time. I wrote some (probably mostly angst-y) poetry in high school (although I was one of the winners in a city-wide contest, so it wasn't all bad) then stopped writing creatively in college and my twenties (too many distractions....like copious amounts of alcohol). I created the majority of my spiritual fables in my early thirties working through shit in therapy. Then about fifteen years ago, I penned (literally....pen and paper, transcribed into the computer) my first novel. It started as a question that took about two hundred pages to answer. I tried getting the fables and novel published, accumulating a mountain of rejection letters in the process. Still, I had another story to tell; I wrote it, in spite of my unpublished history. And now I'm working on a third while the second one is being edited. 


Crazy, huh? 


So why do I continue to write in spite of the lack of publishing success? Because I love it, and because I have tales to tell that no one else can. Of course, it would be completely awesome if I had publishers fighting over my work, piles of fan mail to answer each day, and Hollywood moguls tempting me with movie rights, but that's not my life.....yet. 


I continue to write, taking action for the day when all of that is my reality. And I wait, in joyous anticipation, for that day to arrive. I can't make someone publish my novels and stories....or read them....or turn them into movies. But I can prepare for that day, with stories that are lovingly crafted, business cards that claim writing as my profession, and visualizations of book signings and contract negotiations. I trust the perfect timing of the Universe. I've seen it over and over again in my life....in hindsight, for the most part, but certainly enough to know that there is a Divine Order to the happenings and "serendipities" of my world. 


In the meantime, I write. I'm currently taking two writing classes, one with SARK and one with Jess Morrow. I guest post occasionally (thanks again, Lynne! Y'all need to check out All Fooked Up!). I did an interview for another blogger; Jules at Random Musings of a Type-A Workaholic, is (I believe) posting it today (wooohooo! Thanks, J!). I hand out business cards to anyone who will take them. I do my part.....the part of the process that is mine, the part only I can do. The rest is up to the Universe and its perfect timing. 


Have you tried to get publshed or into an art gallery or start a new business? What did you do in the meantime (prior to ginormous success, of coure)? 


Have you been there?

4 comments:

  1. I’ve had my art work displayed in my hometown library – okay I was 8 years old.  But I experienced this for like 6 years straight. However my stardom died a quick death – like most starlets – once I entered Junior High. Once you age no one wants you. *LOL*
     
    I’ve been published – book reviewer for 4 years.  *S*
     
    I’ve started 2 businesses: Virtual Assistant and now a nut farm. The VA business made $300 the first 6 months.  Not bad since everyone said I wouldn’t make a dime for five years! *evil laughter resonates in my living room*
     
    Sadly, I had to close the VA biz due to my health. As I recovered I decided to pursue my greatest dream – to farm. Thus the nut farm.
     
    Prior to this I worked as an Admin Asst for over 25 years in the following industries: Computer, Medical, Construction, Law, and Injection Molding.
     
    While a Virtual Asst., marketing and advertising was my greatest challenge, and then everyone wanted me to work for free. My nut farm by far is the BEST JOB!!! Wooo-Hooo!

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  2. I'm soooooo glad you love your farm!!

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  3. I have been intrigued with Class Letters for a while now.  I want to hear the rest of the story! 

    Have you tried BelleBooks?  I really don't know anything about what I am talking about but I love Deborah Smith's novels.

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  4. I really REALLY enjoyed this post... started skim reading it then went back and read it top to bottom. I love to write. I work a "day job" which is pretty demanding but have always found myself writing in the dark hours of the night so recently decided to give it some light and published my blog. Like yourself, I have aspirations and dreams for where this can take me but for now I need to be patient as it is all very new. I know several EXCELLANT writers who self published - is that something you have considered? Or maybe publishing for kindle?

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Yes! I've been there, Claire!