IWSG COURAGE
“It’s impossible, said pride, it’s risky, said experience, it’s pointless, said reason, give it a try, whispered the heart.” ~unknown
We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
**Hands trembling, heart pounding, I inhale and my breath hitches.** I joined Weekend Writing Warriors for the first time on August 24, 2014.
To Learn about it and join the call for all writers click this link
Lord, give me courage and confidence!
Here is my 8 sentence SNEAK PEEK for the weekend of Aug 24th & 31st
It is the first Wednesday of the month again. It is time for Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog hop hosted byNinja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh IWSG and his co-hosts, Laura at My Baffling Brain, mark Koopmans, Shah Wharton, and Sheena-Kay Graham. Join the fun, stop and encourage and support other writers. Let the fun begin.
#IWSG
Something inside of me is freaking out. I received such a positive response from the Weekend Writing Warrior Blog Hop, that it scared me. What if I can’t write the story in such a way to deliver the promise of those 8 sentences? What if I can’t finish it? What if I can’t get it ready in book form for sale?
Performance anxiety, and it scares me. I have always written for the love of writing, but now I want to write for publication. What if I can’t do it? What if no one likes it? What if I lose courage? What if the story is a horrible mess?
I started this blog because everyone told me, start building your writing platform, while you are still writing the book. OMG, what am I doing?
Okay, deep breath, calm down, I am still writing for the love of the story. Have courage. I am in deep love and admiration of the craft, the intelligence and strategy behind it. What if I don’t have what it takes to produce a professional and worthwhile story?
My mind keeps circling around the fact, that playing at writing and getting serious about writing are not the same. It is a game changer. Why does that mind switch have to scare me so much? Why do I worry it to death, when it is a useless waste of energy and time?
Stage Fright! I have suffered from it all my life. I am deer in the headlight. It is okay in a group or with a partner, but stand me alone, and I get stage fright. I am not out to get famous or rich. I prefer to avoid the first, while the latter would be a nice perk, but not likely to happen.
I just want to write a good story that others will enjoy, have fun reading and maybe, make them smile with the memory. Anything more than that is just a perk. No big deal, right? Nothing to get all worked up about. Now if the other me, would just listen.
“Benjamin Mee: You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it. “~
~Quote from “We Bought A Zoo” Matt Damon’s character.
MORE INSPIRING QUOTES OF COURAGE.
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. ” ~Steve Jobs
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
~Winston Churchill
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”~ Eleanor Roosevelt
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” ~Walt Disney
“Courage is not, not being afraid. Courage is doing it despite the fear.” ~unknown
FOR WRITERS HERE IS A LIST OF ARTICLES ABOUT WRITING
DANCE OF THE DARK MUSE BY JUNETA KEY
Neil Gaiman 2012 Commencement Speech “Make Good Art”
bigstock-a-bird-flies-away-from-an–inco-15655013.jpg
I think you want what we all want, acceptance while doing something we love. There is a freedom in letting yourself do what you love most. It catches others attention. Sometimes with amazement. Sometimes with envy.
All I can say is follow your heart. 🙂
I love your quotes! Just keep writing and sharing, and the rest will fall into place. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself—not sure where that quote came from, but I’m pretty sure someone famous said it once. 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! Great to meet you through the IWSG!! 🙂
You sound so much like I did. I still don’t want the fame, but so far, I’ve been able to handle the little bit that has come my way. By the time you get there, you’ll be up to the challenge. Have faith. 🙂
Thank you. I do hope so. Thank you for sharing that.
I completely understand your fear, probably because I have the same one. I have psyched myself out so much that I never had the guts to share my work. But lately i had decided that I am going to stop worrying what others think. I am going to write the story I want to and get it edited and critiqued. We can’t please everyyone, all we can do is our best. Don’t let others scare you away from your dream. If you love writing, keep writing. You can do it. I believe in you.
Thank you. I do not think I could stop writing, but sharing is another issue. However, I do not intent to do that either. I will not give up or give in to fear. I have come to far to stop now, lol. I just get nervous. I appreciate the encouragement and the belief.
great quotes! and i get scared all the time, but i don’t usually dwell on it. i think about what the worst that can happen is and shrug… life’s too short!
and i sent you an email to let you know you won my book, but it might not have gone thru… i noticed you said you picked up my book, so I can send you a signed copy of either one! email me: taratylertalks@gmail.com
I will shake it off. I just had a moment of deer in the headlights. It occurred right when IWSG was due, so worked out for me, lol.
Wow, I never win, lol, thank you. Yes, I bought Beast World. Love the cover. I emailed you. Love the new look of your site.
The first quote has always been one of my favorites. I have so many of the same insecurities. All the time. You just have to breathe and keep putting words on the page. If you love what you’re writing, chances are very good that someone else out there will love it, too. One step at a time. Deep breath. Go forth. You’ll get there.
Deeps and meditation, lol Thank you.
I think every creative person has that battle against fear. Our imaginations are too good! 😉
LOL, too true.
So many of us experience this very same thing so you are definitely not alone. I think the only way to combat the fear is to write anyway, and share the work anyway. It gets easier, but never easy. The only thing we can really do is surround ourselves with supportive writers who know what we’re going through. And how great that you got good feedback on your 8 sentences! If you can write those 8, you can write a novel that people will love. Trust me. And I love those quotes!
Thank you. I appreciate the kind words and the visit. Thank you for being supportive.
A lot of performers have stage fright, and so do a lot of writers (including me, big time, which is why the IWSG is so perfect for me.) But when I read about how they overcome it, one thing keeps coming up- once they get caught up in their performance it’s them and the music. Let the art take over and I think you’ll do amazing things!
One other thing that’s helped me is to turn off the Internet and the feedback (I know, anathema!) and just write on my own for a while. It can be just a few days or a week, usually not much longer than that and I get my groove back. Once you remind your Muse you care and appreciate all the ideas you’re getting you might find things feel a bit easier.
Thanks Kirsten. More wisdom, lol. I appreciate all you do. I will spend a little time with my Muse. Congrats on your news. I’m so proud for you. Happy Writing!!!
You already have your answer. Just write a story that you enjoy and others would enjoy. If you are passionate about it, that will come through in your writing.
Sage answer, lol. Most wise one, lol. I feel like a padawan and I shall heed thy advice. Thanks so much for commenting. Especially for hosting this great blog hop Ninja Captain. May I wish you a Happy 3rd Anniversary IWSG!
Uf! I feel your pain. There’s a whole new pressure to write for reasons other than sheer enjoyment. I send the best of wishes and all the courage I can muster your way. My guess, you’ll step on stage and really shine in the spotlight.
Thank you. I do hope you are right.
Oh, I looooove that top quote. I have to write every first draft with the assumption that nobody else will ever read it—otherwise I’d totally psyche myself out and never finish. So don’t psyche yourself out! And do keep reminding yourself of why you started this crazy writing adventure to begin with.
That is good advice. When I did that I never expected such nice things to be said about 8 sentences, lol. Yes I did psyche myself out, now I will try to let it go.
I love that speech by Neil Gaiman. I love everything by Neil Gaiman–just finished his The Ocean at the End of the Lane. He’s my inspiration. Good luck in your writing journey. It sounds like you are off to a promising start!
Thank you. Obviously, I am a Neil Gaiman fan too, but I find him inspiring and wonderfully funny, especially in his interviews. Thank you for commenting.
All you can do is try. You’re ready. Jump on the stage and shine!
LOL, thank you.
Remember: you write because you love writing. You write because you love your characters, you want to follow them in their journey wherever it takes them. What was the famous quote? “Write as nobody will read it, then edit as teh whole world with read it.” So for now, try to forget everything else and… write. 🙂 (((((hugs)))))
Oh, and that’s an awesome picture up there!
I like that quote you mentioned. I am a quote fiend collector, lol. Thank you. Great advice, if I will just do it, lol. Got that pic from bigstock. Makes me think of the journey, dark clouds and all. Start the journey, have courage and don’t look back.