Usually, I'm not a big fan of Ashton Kutcher. To be honest, he always seemed like a moron. Recently I've had to revise my opinion. If you haven't seen his acceptance speech at the Teen Choice Awards, I highly recommend that you do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNXwKGZHmDc
He said one line in particular that stuck out to me: "Opportunity looks a lot like hard work." In the writing business, everyone knows there is definitely a bit of luck involved. Having the right book, at the right time, seen by the right person -- boom -- hello J.K Rowling.
There is so much more to the story. It was not an overnight success. It was not a magic spell that fixed her world. She worked her tail off to be where she is.
How many rejections did she get? No clue how many agents she queried and got put off by. As far as publishing houses go, 12 turned the manuscript down. It was picked up by a little publisher in England. The first print run was laughable. But it got bigger and bigger. Faster than you can say "alohamora" all doors were open to her.
Very few will ever attain the level of "success" that Ms. Rowling has. No matter how much we pour into our craft. However, I will never know if I don't put in the time and effort. Moving a little farther everyday. Not turning back when the road looks too long and the goal too far. Each blog post, each short story, each book gets me closer to where I want to be.
There is a famous LDS picture and saying that brought me great comfort as a teen.
Now as a wife, mother, LDS woman, and writer, these words are my daily mantra. And right next to them on my desk is a new little post-it note, "Opportunity looks a lot like hard work" - so get going.
Starting next week I will be sharing a bit of the hard work. Please tune in next Saturday to hear the wise words of my new blogday partner, Lacey.
Betsy--Yes! Okay, I still don't love Ashton Kutcher, but "yes" to the hard work. Which I totally needed today, in the face of agent rejections and scenes that apparently hate me. So thanks for being my cheerleader today!
ReplyDeleteBetsy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout out, I hope I can do as well as you have. =)
Lacey
I loved this speech, too! It was so surprising to hear wisdom like that from Ashton Kutcher, of all people. I loved his line about never having a job he was bigger than. What perspective! Great post!
ReplyDeleteI loved this speech too. I heard it on the radio, actually. It's always impressive when celebrities say noble things, positive things, and speak the truth about life. I'm with Jenna, in that I'm not a Kutcher fan, but
ReplyDeletemy opinion of him went up after this.
Amen guys. I definitely have to get over the idea that my first fiction book has to be the best thing on the planet. It's a process, and I hope to grow and get better with each THE END.
ReplyDelete