I find this whole writing journey fascinating.
It’s incredible what happens from the moment an author
decides to put words on paper to the moment they hold their own book in their
hands. The crazy thing is it isn’t even about the final product. I think the
most amazing part of the process is the change that takes place inside of us.
It’s amazing what facing rejection over and over again can
do to solidify our resolve and determination to stay in this business. It’s
amazing what happens when we sacrifice time and sleep to create even when we
don’t know if our efforts will ever come to fruition.
It’s amazing what can spring from one idea—from one moment of inspiration—when we get that
spark of an idea from a song or from a thought in the middle of the night. I
truly believe there is magic that lives in each of us. That there is something
extraordinary that can only come from that secret part of our souls that holds
all of the stories we’re meant to write. And there’s a place for all of us—a
place for all of our stories.
I do think though that we have to dig deep. Deeper than we
think. We have to force ourselves to re-experience moments in our lives—even
the not so pleasant ones—to make it real on the page. Even if our story is on
the lighter side. Because if it doesn’t come from something real, readers will
see through it. They’re smart, and know when they’re being lied to.
So far in this process, I’ve also learned to embrace the
hard moments. To consciously accept the lows, and know that they’re a necessary
part of the process. I’ve also realized that the lows usually come after a big
high! It’s important to accept all that comes with making the decision to be a
writer and to be okay with it. To enjoy the ride, because it’s a privilege to
even be on the ride.
I also know that good things come to those who keep working.
It doesn’t matter where anyone else is on the journey, or even how easy their
success seems to have come to them. What matters is our own journey, and how
hard we’re pushing ourselves. Even though we might not see our own progress day
to day, when we duck our heads and focus only on the words on the page, (and
rewriting them however many times necessary), we will see the reward. Even if
the reward is the knowledge we’ve gained or the strength we’ve developed or the
transformation that’s taken part inside of us.
And that, to me, is worth it.
Red. Head. Out. :D
Red. Head. Out. :D
"It’s amazing what facing rejection over and over again can do" ... I'm not sure if "amazing" would be the word I would choose ;) But I'm glad to be where I'm at, and I feel like I'm getting closer, so I guess that's something, right?
ReplyDeleteThe lows will happen along with the highs. A bit like real life, isn't it? And that is certainly worth it.
ReplyDeleteYes. Yes. All of this--yes. What matters is our own journey...so true!
ReplyDeleteThat's worth it to me, too.....great post, Morgan! :)
ReplyDeleteTaking the writing journey is definitely worth it! There are times I have no hope to see my dream come true, but this community has given me hope I can reach for the stars. I hate the lows, but I love the highs. When I find a writing opportunity, I'll take the chance before it fades away. I don't like getting rejected, but rejection has made me a stronger person as a writer. I love the written word and everything goes with it!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post, Morg! :)
This is AWESOME. I've been missing your posts, and this post reminded me just what I missed! Glad to see you blogging :)
ReplyDeleteAhhh the Journey, the journey :)
ReplyDeleteBut you are so right, Morg, where we (you, us) are right here is as important a part as is writing the first ideas and signing the final contract.
Indeed, I consider myself an "intern" and understand all I achieve in the future will be because of hard work done in the past.
And, I wouldn't have it any other way... though I lack sleep, funds and hair follicles - this is where I want to be and I'm so glad I had the cajones to step up to the plate...
PS: Great to see your name in my "New Posts" pile :)
LOL. Lack of hair follicles. :)
Delete(I know, I know... rookie mistake of being a blogger is reading the comments, but your's are always so funny)
DeleteOne of the things I like most about you is that you have a grateful, positive attitude. Even when it's hard. Maybe especially when it's hard. I think you're one of those rare few who *enjoy* the ride. It doesn't mean you like all the hard. It doesn't mean it's fun. But I think you enjoy it because you appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteYour post was so inspiring and thought provoking. When you write deep thoughts Morgan you go for the marrow girl. And yes there is something magical in us that allows to create such beautiful and different stories for others to enjoy. Even if it does get crazy, we writers who hang on never say it's not worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteHi Morgan - being passionate about your writing, believing in yourself and keeping on writing, keeping on writing, trying and testing new routes to market .. etc
ReplyDeleteGood for you - there's a place for everyone .. cheers Hilary
That's a sentiment frequently expressed in The Tao Te Ching, that the lows come along with highs. So much of life consists of seemingly contradictory duality, like how we can't really know happiness without sadness, and how dark can't exist without light.
ReplyDeleteDigging deeper is one of my personal writing goals. I overthink what that means sometimes though.
ReplyDeleteMorgan, I needed this post today. All I can say is THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteOur writing journey is all that matters. And when that's why we write, then it becomes worth it.
ReplyDeleteTrue, true. Enjoy the ride, cause you never know what you might find. :)
ReplyDeleteSo true, in writing we do have to dig deep-relive the lows and even in writing light (or fluffy) we need to be real because our readers can see right through it.
ReplyDeleteI remind myself often that what I need to focus on is my journey and accept the highs and lows as they come. Great post.
Good things come to those who keep working, couldn't have said it better myself :)
ReplyDeleteSooo true! I love your point about what comes from just one spark of inspiration--it is an amazing thing!
ReplyDeleteThis is a post that every writer needs to read. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteAh, the roller coaster of life. Enjoy the ride.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post, Morgan! It is a great journey. :) And so worth all the low points. I mean, without low points there would be no high points, right? :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome post! It truly is all about the journey. We do it again and again with each tale. And some people claim writing is easy! Pshaw!
ReplyDeleteLots of lows and highs...why can't writing be a consistent as book sales?? Oh wait, that's not consistent either~ oye vey!! U rock morgs
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHear hear! I'd compare it to doing DDR for exercise. Even if I totally blow the dance, I've received a great workout. So I win even if technically I lose.
ReplyDeleteIt sure in interesting.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note- I needed to enlarge your page a bit since for me the text being gray makes it harder to read. --No biggie :(
Hey half my comment got deleted. What did I do? HA HA
DeleteI was saying that once I enlarge the page the circle things (facebook, etc) end up overlapping the text.
Fantastic, Morgan. And so, so true. I am always inspired after reading your blog posts. Thank you for that. x
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written, Morgan! Being a writer is definitely worth the crazy yet fulfilling journey it takes us on.
ReplyDeleteAwesome and inspiring post! I'm going to carry this part with me over the next while, because things are so busy: "I also know that good things come to those who keep working." I always feel so encouraged after reading your posts, Morgan! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is so very true. When I was first starting I wondered if I would keep going in the face of so much rejection, and now that I've had plenty, I understand more about myself. And I'm not quitting.
ReplyDeleteI have a girl crush on you.
ReplyDeleteMorgan, your attitude is absolutely infectious!!! *mwah*
ReplyDeleteIt's the transformation along the journey that matters.
ReplyDeleteWell said. Gotta dig deep for that authentic emotional element that makes the writing an experience for the reader and not just clever words on a page. I wouldn't want to be on any other journey.
ReplyDeleteYup, it's worth it.
ReplyDeleteHave I told you lately that I love you? (you can sing that to the music if you want?) And... I needed this today. But even more importantly - you're absolutely right!
ReplyDeleteMorg, it's got to be so hard being YOU! And what I mean by that is everyone of us around you can totally see your potential and how obvious your success will be, but when it's YOU who has to deal with the emotions that come with the journey, it's more difficult. I get to watch from afar, reading your amazing book on my ipad while downing a bag of Doritos and thinking, wow, which lucky publisher is she going to pick? If I were a blood-McDonald I'd sing you some a capella Bobby McFerrin "Don't Worry, Be Happy" but then everyone would probably just recommend I stick to using my mouth for eating instead of singing. Have faith in your sweat and tears... they speak for themselves. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete(Really, I had just accidentally posted the same thing twice. The "This comment has been removed by the author" sounds so incriminating!)
ReplyDeleteSweets, you've said it all. Journeys for all of us ARE different, but we share several amazing things. OUR LOVE for the written word. Our passion for our characters. Our struggles to bring them to life in a story that is inspiring, exciting, REAL, emotional, comical, and more importantly entertaining to our readers.
ReplyDeleteAll of life's rewards are so much sweeter when we earn them. Sadly, at times, we're at our lowest before we see the light. BUT then ... the adrenaline kicks in and we PUSH ourselves even further.
I am so proud at how much you have grown and leaned as a writer. The quirky, fun, and positive girl has become a deep, passionate, mature, and talented woman. Your determination and obsession to learn are going to take you to amazing heights in your writing career. Your time is now. Ride the wave for as long as you can. The skies are the limit for you.
I am so looking forward to see what happens next in your journey. Thankfully I have a sixth sense about things. I will not be disappointed and NEITHER will you.
Thanks for your encouraging words. We all need them.
I think writing, sometimes, at least for me, becomes some sort of an association experiment. Here, I leave myself uncontrolled within the boundaries of the topic I'm dealing with. Each word, each noun or adjective or adverb or verb fans out into more verbs and adjectives and nouns that spring out from them and which, themselves, give birth to more words, and more, and more, and new ideas that, at the beginning, I wouldn't even imagine I could conceive.
ReplyDeleteI like it a lot!
Well. Said.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I've re-lived and drawn from a lot of things that weren't easy, BUT when the story finally starts to come together, it was worth it.
Without the lows we could never truly appreciate the highs, and this journey of yours is going to take you to incredible heights. I just know it. (:
ReplyDeleteThis I can relate to. Books have more of an impact, more feeling and can be related to, if we put in what we have experienced. And there is something magical about putting words on paper and creating something new and wonderful
ReplyDeleteIt absolutely is a rough road, but it's also filled with surprises unique to each person and wonderful moments. :D I'm glad you have such a great attitude about it!
ReplyDeleteYeah the low crap is there but have to push through it like anything to get to the end of the yellow brick road.
ReplyDeleteIt is the journey that matters. Without that, the ride wouldn't be half as much fun!
ReplyDeleteGreat attitude. Thanks. I needed this today.
I agree it's worth it. It is the journey. I've learned so much. And I still learn every day.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had the pleasure of holding the published book in my hands yet, but I can almost taste it. I agree with every thing you said. Great post. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 110%, Morgan. It's that or we're just plain insane, though I'm sure there are plenty of non-writers who agree with that.
ReplyDeleteSome could paraphrase this as its not the kill but the thrill of the chase. But hopefully there is a payoff as well. I will keep writing until I can no longer write, which should be many decades God willing!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post, Morgan! So true about rejection. It always made me determined to succeed, to show all those people that said, "no" what a mistake they made, lol. Whatever keeps us going, right? I can't wait to read your work! :)
ReplyDeleteI always maintain that the journey is what really matters... the destination is simply a bonus!
ReplyDeleteAnd that's how I arrived at my blog name... it IS a never-ending journey... and worth every moment! So true!
Writer In Transit
Lovely. I'm only now embarking on the journey of trying to publsih and am bracing myself for the inevitable rejection by reading posts like this. Your words will help sustain me as I keep my head down, so thanks!
ReplyDeleteI needed to read this before diving into my WIP this weekend. Fantastic post.
ReplyDeleteYou've really given me some hope and something to think about. I've been having a really hard time finding my spark of late. I don't call it writer's block, more like a creativity slow down. I know it's there, kind of like that hard to reach pilot light on the furnace, but I just need to get relit.
ReplyDeleteYou are so, so wise, Red. These are words I've most definitely needed to hear of late. Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're so right. It's amazing, it's hard, it's fascinating. It's full of highs and lows, and it's soooo worth every bit of it.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean. We can do this...the key is to just keep on going. Never quit! A very wise post, darling!
ReplyDeleteYou're so write! LOL. I've sacrificed too much sleep...I'm commenting bleary eyed, can you tell?
ReplyDeleteGreat message, very inspiring. It is so true that the lows often come after a high. It is a wonderful journey despite the heartaches and long hours spent wanting to write! :) Thanks for this post. Writer’s Mark
ReplyDelete