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I just returned from a shopping trip where the merchants in the shopping district treated the women to wine, chocolate, neck massages, paraffin hand dips, and other services. It was grand fun, and I found some great things that I’d been hunting for. One of these marketing savvy merchants had three young men in red boxers and shirts in their front window, and one 40-something guy in a shirt, red boxers, mid-calf black socks, and sandals standing outside of the door with a tray of Dove chocolates. Really, he was quite a sight, but every woman that passed by loved the guy.
Anyway, for today’s exercise, I want you to imagine that you are the guy holding the tray of chocolates, and your girlfriend from your junior year of college shows up. Give yourself 10 minutes to write a short scene. Then post it in the comment section for others to enjoy. (For the sake of our readers, please don’t post kink. You can write it, if that’s what you write. Just don’t post it.)
You know that little moment when the light goes on in your brain and you realize that you’ve been missing the obvious? I had one of those this week. I’ve been writing an article for a non-fiction project, and my focus has been anything but stellar, so I’ve been worried about the piece and feeling quite shy about submitting it. Then it dawned on me that I have a writing/critique partner who can help me with non-fiction every bit as well as she helps me with fiction. What, am I stupid? Why didn’t I think of that before? I’ve said it at least a hundred times, “Everyone needs an editor,” and it just so happens that I have one that I’m forgetting to take advantage of.
Anyway, that’s my story for the week. I’ll say it again – everyone needs an editor/critique partner. Everyone. And don’t forget that friends who help you with one kind of writing can help with other kinds as well.
Seth Godin is my favorite internet blogger. He’s the guru (I hate that word, but it’s apt in his case) of internet marketing, spotting trends and building a community. Last week, he featured a short video by Sunny Bates, one of the premier headhunters in the business. Listen to her words. They apply to all walks of life. I saw them as a path we, as writers, should follow.
Don’t be afraid to try. Whether it’s starting to write a book, completing a book or querying an agent or editor. You have to try. And if you fail, try again. If you have a passion for something, don’t regret not reaching for your dream.
Take a step. My first move was to find a RWA chapter and drive an hour and walk into a room full of strangers. I had friends within minutes. And I went back. Again and again and again until I had the confidence, if not the experience, to enter a contest, then submit to a publisher then thumb my nose at their rejection and submit it to another publisher.
Please, don’t fear failure. Talent wins out. You deserve to win.
Take care,
Cheryl
p.s. Mary will be blogging tomorrow and Saturday, and on Monday, I’ll have the conclusion to my three part Princess Bride Guide to Motivation, Goals and Conflict.
