One book leads to another...

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

But for the Blunder of a Disenchanted Farmer...



Bear with me folks as I set aside my current theme of Arizona ghosts, towns, and legends to present to you my very first post in this unique and much needed (at least by me) support venue: Insecure Writer's Support Group. I feel better already!

Foremost on my mind today are a host of finished products; stories that sit like silent soldiers, awaiting my command. So do something, screams that insistent little voice. And this is where one of two things happen: 1. I make a concerted effort; send in a few queries, submissions (to no avail), or 2.  Insecurity seeps like a widening ink spot spreading across the light of hope (I’m not ready, I don’t know how), and I go outside and whack the heck out of some weeds out back (I’m extremely good at that, at least!).

Meanwhile a heated conversation begins in my head:

So, are you just going to shovel dirt and forget them?

Of course not! 

They’re not going to spring from their files and find an editor, secure an agent, garner recognition or publish themselves!

 I know. And I know I need to get with it. And I will…someday.

Finish what you started…

Fine! Perhaps what I need is inspiration, though I rarely have to look for it while writing. Could the word I’m looking for be motivation?  Wait! I’ve got it! The word, (How did I ever miss this?) is Support! Did I tell you I feel better already? 

In the course of all this soul-searching I ran across a legend (Ha! I couldn’t resist!):

Shake It Off and Step Up
by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown
A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying' - or - whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.
Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back: he should shake it off and step up! This he did, blow after blow.
"Shake it off and step up... shake it off and step up... shake it off and step up!" he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up!
He was right! It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well! What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him. All because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

So, what do you think? Have you, in your writing journey, ever felt like the farmer or the mule? Do you believe support is important in achieving your goals?



14 comments:

  1. I do believe support is important but we don't often get it. Before I published Hurricane Crimes the only person supporting me was my mom. lol And even now my family and friends hardly show support. But I push one with or without them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bless your heart, Chrys. So glad you have your mom. And me! And now hundreds (thousands?) of happy readers/followers! Perseverance does pay off, doesn't it? I applaud you on your talent and your empathy :-) it's all part of what makes you so special!

      Delete
  2. A very good "parable" dear Lady...
    was just dropping by to thank you for the Dr. Seuss quote...
    it helped to lift my spirits...
    bless you and yours , dear Lady....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, I thought so, too! I've always like that quote, glad you did. too! :-)

      Delete
  3. Lovely parable. And yep, weed whacking is a great companion to writing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I come down on the side of the mule! And you'll find no end of support in this lovely group - welcome.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! So do I, Nick! And thanks so much for the welcome and for stopping by :-)

      Delete
  5. I've gone through a lot in the past two years that really only my agent and close friends and family know about. I don't like to talk about the negative sides of this industry in public, so I'll just say I'd be lost without the support of these people in my life.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love you mama! I support you! Always & forever! You're going to do awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Lovely! A pleasant surprise to see you here :-)

      Delete
  7. Diedre, you're preaching to the choir here! I can't tell you how many times I've been discouraged. But I have a drill sergeant who lives in my head who keeps telling me that if I don't pursue my dreams, nobody else will do it for me. I pursue my dreams to shut him up, lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! Maybe our 'drill sergeants' should get together :-) I guess it's all too easy to lose sight of the destination if one concentrates on the potholes! It's nice to know the road isn't as deserted as it seems sometimes. Thanks, Quanie!

      Delete

Any thoughts? Join the conversation, comments welcome here!