There are eleven days of National Novel Writing Month 2007 to go.
I hope that all of you are making not just progress in completing your projects, but also brave steps forward in being able to look your own need to create full in the face and not be afraid of it.
So much of what stops us doing the things that we really want to do is fear. We might call it Writer's Block, or I'm Not Good Enough, I'm Not Talented Enough to Win the Pulitzer Prize/Get A Publishing Deal So Why Bother, or I'll Do It When I've Made My Fortune In A Socially Acceptable But Dull Career. Essentially though, it all boils down to being afraid:
Being afraid of what might happen financially if you allow yourself to follow your dream; being afraid of what Other People might think of you; being afraid that you'll go mad/drunk/broke/cheat on your boyfriend if you allow yourself to do these things; being afraid that you'll be laughed at; being afraid that you're rubbish at spelling; being afraid of how success could change your life.
Nanowrimo has, along with many other books, people, classes, countless hours of thinking and most of all about three boxes of notebooks made me realise that all of this fear is at best unfounded, at worst downright dangerous.
Keep a close guard on your creativity. Do not allow others to stray you from your path. Do not sabotage yourself by showing a work too early and inviting criticism. Keep your own counsel for a while and let things compost. Most of all, try and keep going in the face of all this fear - keep the hand moving. It doesn't matter if it's shoddy, unoriginal and hackneyed work. Inside of all of that will be glistening gems of originality and wit and imagination. I promise you.
And so, my best wishes to you all today and good luck for the coming appointment with the doctor to address your googly eyes and repetive strain injury.
love from Starla
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'Man is not free to refuse to do the thing which gives him more pleasure than any other conceivable action.' - Stendhal
'We cannot escape fear. We can only transform it into a companion that accompanies us on all our exciting adventures.....Take a risk a day - one small or bold stroke that will make you feel great once you have done it.' - Susan Jeffers
'Surround yourself with people who respect you and treat you well' - Claudia Black
'Do not fear mistakes - there are none' - Miles Davis.
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