Do you ever find yourself giving a mommy speech to your children only to realize that you don't take your own advice? I did this the other day as I drove my kids to the music store to rent trumpets so they could be in the school band. My mommy speech went something like this:
"Now I want you to know that learning to play an instrument is not easy. When you first start, it's not going to sound like music. You're going to think your no good and that you should just give up. But anything worth doing in life takes practice and hard work. I promise that if you keep with it, even during the low points, you will be proud of yourself for not quitting."
At which point they all said with a roll of their eyes, "We know, Mom."
I barely heard them, because I had just heard what I said and realized that I was talking to myself more than I was talking to them. I was ready to quit writing all together two weeks ago. I had convinced myself I am no good so why bother. But I don't want to quit. I had a blessing and the Lord wants me to be patient. (I'm really not good at that!!) So that's what I'm going to do. I need to be patient with myself but not give up. There are stories in my head waiting to be written. I just have to wait for the right time and not quit.
Good point, Nikki! Sometimes we're great cheerleaders for others, but maybe we should all take our own advice. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kristy. I'm the worst at not taking my own advice!! Thanks so much for commenting I was beginning to feel very lonely. Like I was the only one on the blog today!! LOL!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Nikki. You need to be patient. Just keep writing, spilling your story out on the page and doing what you can to learn the craft and it will pay off. I was in your shoes less than a year ago and now my book is being considered for publication. Never Give Up!!!!
ReplyDeleteNO DON'T QUIT!!!
ReplyDeleteEveryone has something, some special thing, some way to see the world or to understand people or to feel about life that NO ONE ELSE HAS! If you give up now then we'll never hear YOUR VOICE!
Tell me about timing!!! I wanted to have my first book published at 16, but the Lord had other ideas, and still we wait.
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to get discouraged, but you're right. The Lord has his own time and purpose for all things, and we'll catch the vision one day, although probably not until this life is over.
Keep at it Nikki!
Thanks everyone. I really do love this blog. I know I can always come on here and you will all be able to relate to my writing problems. Thanks for the encouragement. I really do need it.
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely take your own advice and don't quit. I know how easy it is to find every reason why you should not be using your talents. But There is one good reason to keep it up...talents are meant to be used, and the more you practice the better you get.
ReplyDeleteWow, Nikki...
ReplyDeleteI am not thinking of quiting, but I near feel like I have since my laptop has died. I've tried to create another story (after killing my last one with the editing process) and I've been coming up short.
I have had so many blessings on my writing, but I still feel lost in some senses.
You are right. The only time we lose if we quit!
Thank you for sharing this with us!
:)