A Single Word

[Chiron O'Keefe]

“You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call "failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down.” —Mary Pickford

Being a writer requires many qualities to succeed. Talent, perseverance, passion, persistence, and of course, the ability to learn, grow, and evolve. Yet few focus on an essential ingredient in this engaging slop of characteristics: Courage.

Writers must have unwavering courage to face each day. Courage to dare to begin a new story. Courage to push through not only our fictional “black moment” but also our own inner obstacles to finish what began from nothing more than a promise and a dream. Courage to edit and revise what we THOUGHT was perfect. Courage to query and submit (repeatedly). Courage to face the reviews and the next project. Damn.

Courage to pick ourselves up, when staying down is so very tempting…

So how do we do it? Well, as we all know, part of it is involuntary. We Are Writers. We have no choice. We simply must put words to paper. We must write—it is survival. So, in response to our need for Fresh Air and a Fresh Start, let’s look at some survival tactics. *smile*

Embracing a New Beginning…

“The greatest masterpieces were once only pigments on a palette.” --Henry S. Hoskins

Every artist starts at the exact same place. The beginning. As you type that first word remember this... all the authors you admire most, every one of them begins with The First Word. The playing field is always level. No matter how accomplished or how novice, each writer must begin the novel and finish it. That never changes. Each chapter, each page, each sentence all starts at the same place. The first word at The Beginning.

Write What You Love…

“It's a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy." --Lucille Ball

It really is… *grin* Lucille starred in a CBS radio program, “My Favorite Wife” with hubby Desi Arnaz. CBS asked Lucy to develop the show for television. The initial pilot failed and the couple took the show on the road as a vaudeville act, which resulted in a smash success. *snap!* CBS picked up the soon-to-be-classic comedy sensation. Yet here’s a bit of trivia… When they first began filming, the show fell flat. Desi realized exactly what his wife needed in order to shine. He brought in a studio audience and A Star Was Born. Knowing what makes us happy, both in our personal life AND in our creative pursuits… that’s one helluva good start. *wink*

Every Day a New Opportunity…

"Every day brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes, and dance." –Oprah Winfrey

YES! I love this quote, not only becomes I am inclined to do just that at any given moment *cough* but also because This is the way to approach our writing. Breathe deep, kick off the restrictions and let our imagination, our love of writing, our joy Dance Across Each Page. This is not just a labor of love. This is a dance. Let’s try to remember…

Each Struggle Teaches Us, Strengthens Us, Gives Us More to Work With…

“You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.”— Friedrich Nietzsche

Ah…. There it is. The conflicts and the struggles. The sting of defeat, the exuberant laughter. Each tender, fragile moment that touches and sometimes even shatters our vulnerable self is a gift. The gift of an unpredictable life bursting with potential. The potential that each writer here can tap into. Let the chaos reign, let the birthing begin!

Stealing A Few Precious Moments To Write…

“It is better to begin in the evening than not at all.”— English proverb

Some of the best writers, and the most successful authors, started with little time to spare. Carving out moments when the first rays of dawn barely pierce through the morning’s fog or fending off the need for sleep to tap out a page or two before tumbling into bed. Some here sketch out ideas between children’s naptime and the scramble for a family meal. I’m in constant awe and touched with admiration for everyone here that masters those time constraints and manages to produce books, query agents and editors, edit and revise, and all that a career in writing requires. Take just a moment (I know you have few to spare!) and acknowledge your strength, your courage and your astonishing persistence. You Are Amazing—You Write…

When I began this essay, I hoped to provide some hope and inspiration for all those who desperately need that bit of fresh air and now, I realize my goal has evolved yet again. I want to express my appreciation, my own humble admiration for all the writers whose talent and spirit is matched by their amazing perseverance. You Are Incredible. Thanks for the constant inspiration, and for the never-ending examples of what A Writer Can Do.

In this spirit I want to offer a quote, one of my very favorites, from an author whose work has touched millions of hearts. From a story that resonates through the ages.

“When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they went skipping about and that was the beginning of fairies.”
— J.M. Barrie ( 1860-1937) Peter Pan, Act1

Remember, always, We Are The Magic-Makers. We Are Writers!

“The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.”—Ralph Waldo Emerson

And the creation of a thousand books begins with a single word…

What are we waiting for, let’s Write!

Goals for this week:
Weekly Essay.
Complete reread of WIP.
Rewrite Synop.

How about you?

Write-Write-Write! Go-go-GO!

--Chiron

[Chiron O'Keefe]

Hey Z,

A reluctant husband. Hmmmm... Can he flatten his ears? *grin* Dido has a lovely voice. I'd love to hear you sing!!

I have a friend from the Isle of Man. What a lovely accent! We'll sing very well together, Z!

Tonight I hope to do some singing again. *crosses fingers*

Hugs,
Chiron

PS... Thanks again for ALL your help.

[Chiron O'Keefe]

Sandy... You always make me smile...

Huge hugs,
Chiron

[Chiron O'Keefe]

Z,

You are definitely our Little Miss Sunshine!! If my posts inspire those incredible comments, well, I just might burst into song right now! *grin*

Hugs,
Chiron

[Chiron O'Keefe]

Sandy,

T.J. is a marvel, that's for sure. And so are you, my dear!!

Hugs,
Chiron

[Chiron O'Keefe]

Wow, Linda!

What you said makes perfect sense. The inspiration, the *feel* of what we're writing is often elusive and slippery. This is why I often recommend using a FreeWrite document when a writer feels blocked. Trying to *reach* for the idea can be so difficult and sometimes it's the writing itself that triggers the understanding.

And you're right too about the critiques! It's all about self-reflection. It's what distinguishes us as humans, after all. To truly develop an objective sense of our writing, we have to *gulp* let others see it too. Through their perspective, we can develop more of an idea of what works.

"If you want to know how well you sing, belt out a tune for your cat. If she flattens her ears, look out!" --Chiron

Smiles and hugs,
Chiron

[Chiron O'Keefe]

Wow, Z,

Your posts always take my breath away... You're so right. The journey of self-discovery... Beautifully put!!

*enthusiastic applause*

Hugs,
Chiron

[Chiron O'Keefe]

Sandy,

I think you've got the right of it. We need to push past the blocks and then circle back around and sneak up on them. *smile*

Hmmmm... Actually I think of talent not as an inherited gift but an ability you can hone. When I first started to sing, the fellow who initially took on the task of pushing me into a decent voice, referred to me as "A bullfrog doing a bad imitation of Mick Jagger."

*snort*

No "inborn talent" there. But I persevered. Learned, practiced, struggled and pushed until I could not only hold a note but sing well enough to perform in public. I developed talent.

So, I do believe you learn your craft and while some have natural talent, others (like you and me) develop their talent.

Trust me, if you didn't have talent, you wouldn't have sold a story!! So embrace your new status, woman. You Have Talent!

Hugs,
Chiron

[Chiron O'Keefe]

Hey Jim!

Boy, I hear that. I always think though the best opening paragraph comes to me in my second draft. I rarely nail it first time around. So... yes, turn off the grammar check AND the internal editor and get to writing. *cracks whip*

*GRIN*

--Chiron

[Jim]

Sandy,

I know I'm wrong by sticking with the first paragraph until it's perfect. I just find it really hard to leave something "half-done" and proceeding on. It's not lack of courage. I think I've become obsessive compulsive about my writing. I think I am going to turn off the "grammar police" function in Word and just close my eyes and type.

Jim

[Jim]

Well done, Chiron! I've been struggling for a week on my first (and only) paragraph. But, I haven't failed. I have merely chosen to temporarily postpone my success!

Jim