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As you’ve probably noticed, I haven’t posted anything in two weeks. Work kidnapped the writer in me. Then I got sick, so my inspiration turned as bitter as the antibiotics I was on. However, last night while talking on the phone with a dear friend who’s also one of my former university professors, I got the push I needed. Since I graduated, we’ve kept in touch despite all of my moves (and boy, do I move more than a migrating flock of Barnacle geese!).
Well, last night she told me that her younger sister had just passed away. I wanted to utter compassionate consoling words, but they eluded me. I offered my condolences and promised to keep her in my prayers. And then she asked me, “Tell me, how’s your writing?” The tone in her voice had changed; it was lighter. I could almost hear the smile in her voice. I told her that it was non-existent. She then added, “Hurry up and finish your book so I can buy it!” My heart shrank. Her kind and supportive words were uplifting. How did she manage to offer the right words despite her own pain and sorrow?
Before I hung up, she reiterated, “Keep writing.” Her words still echo in my head. For this reason she’s not only my friend, but also my mentor, role model, and mother-figure. She has always given me great advice, pushed me to explore my limits, and above all, she’s believed in me.
Do you have a supportive someone who believes in your writing?
That's so lovely that you have a great friend, mentor and inspiration!! She's indeed a rare and wonderful friend who is supportive of your writing.
ReplyDeleteI do have one or two very close friends who know of my writerly ways but I always feel as if they expect me to produce something big and amazing! LOL!! I feel so much pressure to "be a success" with this writing, so I tend to be make light of the writerly side of me and pass it off as a hobby! :-)
I hope you are feeling better btw!! Do take care and yay again for your writerly soulmate!! x
I'm sorry for your friend's loss, but glad you were there for her and in return she was there for you. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a couple people that believe in my writing...My in person friend Susan Fields picks me up when I bad talk myself and reminds me that just because I don't write fantasy novels it doesn't mean I'm a bad writer. And then there is Lenny Lee. He fills my heart with hugs and confidence. He's an honest cp, but a great cheerleader too.
“Hurry up and finish your book so I can buy it!”
ReplyDeleteI think that's just a wonderful thing to say to a writer. Isn't it nice to know that someone is excited about your work?
So, hurry up.
Hi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'm feeling much better. Yes, I feel I'm blessed having great friends who support me and are always there for me. If your friends expect something big and amazing from you, Jennifer is because they believe in you. They know you're capable of succeeding in such a feat, don't you agree? ;)
Hi Sharon,
thank you for your kind words. Losing someone close to you is NOT easy at all. So I imagine how my friend must feel. I'm glad you have two wonderful people by your side to give you emotional support. Sometimes that's all we need...a shoulder to cry on.
Hi Adam,
Yes, indeed is nice to hear that someone is excited about your work. And most importantly, that they believe in you. No promises here, but I'll do my best to finish it this year. ;)
Hi Claudia! Thanks for visiting me from Sharon Mayhew's blog and following. I'm now your newest follower, too!
ReplyDeleteI have many cherished friends and family members who believe in my writing. Sharon is actually one of my biggest cheerleaders, along with my mom.
Claudia, this was very inspirational for you and then in turn passing it on to others who need to hear the same. I haven't been writing because of the emotions it evokes in me. Right now I don't want to feel more than what I'm going through. Perhaps writing would help me move through it.
ReplyDeleteIn any event, thank you. I feel sorrow for your friend having lost her sister. It is wonderful she could still reach out to you in that way.
Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining my blog, and welcome! It's so nice that you and Sharon are each other's support system. She says the same about you (that's so nice!). As writers, we need friends and family to keep us going. This is a tough industry.
Hi Abby,
Welcome to my blog! I joined yours as well.
I'm happy to learn you found this post inspirational, and thank you for your kind words. In regards to writing from pain, you're not the only writer who find it cathartic. I invite you to read my previous post "The Beautiful Process of Writing from Pain". J.D. Salinger wrote his masterpiece "The Catcher in the Rye" from his painful experiences. So don't let the pain you're going through now stop you from writing, girl. A lot of artists, singers, writers, filmmakers, create wonderful things out of pain. However, don't let this angst blind you, listen to your heart as well.
Hi Claudia, just a quick pop-in as I really should be writing! Thanks for following my blog... I'll come back later when I've got a bit more time to read. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI so understand your position Claudia. It's hard to find stillness in the spin of things. I think it was Stephen King who was "calling Mrs. Muse". He was setting up a minimalist environment to get a "visit from Mrs. Muse" I'm working towards creating this.
ReplyDeleteAnyway I think the best motivation I had was when I was shortlisted for Nathan Bransford 4th First Paragraph Contest. It meant a lot to me that a business professional, that I didn't even know, thought I was above average.
Hi Caz,
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my blog! Thanks for joining, Caz. I'll definitely be dropping by at your place ;)
Hi Ben,
Oh yeah! That sure is motivation enough, Ben. I think we need a little "praise" or "reassurance" in order for us to continue writing (we all second-guess ourselves from time to time). N'est-ce pas? BTW, I shared your video w/some friends and they loved it. :))
Aside from my grade school and high school English teachers, the staff I worked with on the college newspaper, and the many replies I have gotten when corresponding on dating sites to the effect of "are you a writer" or "your writing really touched me", there has been no one close to me to give me that uplifting motivation. Save for that one special soul, whose name shall remain anonymous, who was interested in my writing to the extent that she met with me, about a month ago, and we talked for hours. She still reminds me that I should write. And she continues to be in my thoughts. And prayers. Hopefully, one day her name will be revealed in a published book. On the acknowledgments page.
ReplyDeleteHi Vasilios,
ReplyDeleteThank you for nice comment. I'm happy to hear that at least a couple of people have acknowledged your writing. However, perhaps the reason you haven't gotten more praises is because you have not published too often. You have to share your writing with everyone else besides your family and friends. If you keep your work to yourself (or in the computer) then you'll be doing yourself a disservice. Create a blog, open a Facebook account, or submit to literary magazines. You have to start sharing your writing. :)
Wow. She sounds like an amazing person. I can never find the right words to offer someone when they need it. I just don't know what to say in those situations. You'd think that as a writer, I'd find the words, but it's more than that; it's a kind of deeper understanding of people, and maybe some special sense as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment to Vasilios, above. Sharing your writing is so important. You get feedback both good and bad, and there is something to learn from both kinds.
Really enjoyed this post and think it's a fitting hommage to your mentor.
Hi Chris,
ReplyDeleteAawww! Thanks for your kind words. I am so happy to hear you really enjoyed this post. My former professor is amazing. I was lucky to have her as my university professor and I'm lucky to have her as a friend now. :)
Having a support system is great. Writing could be lonely sometimes. That's why blogging works for a lot of writers. We help each other in many ways. Thanks for stopping by, Chris.
Claudia,
ReplyDeleteI found your blog serendipitously (if there is such a thing) from a Google image search.
So glad that I stopped in. I really enjoy your perspective and look forward to stopping by more often.
I'm not a trained writer--unless having an English-teacher mother counts--so I am always looking to read bloggers whose style and craft has fewer rough edges than my own!
Am looking forward to reading more from you, so will just echo the sage advice of your former professor: "keep writing!"
Hi Steve,
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my blog! I love meeting new bloggers. And yes, serendipity brought you to my blog...there are not coincidences, but that's another topic (perhaps my next post ;))
I used to post very often but I've been so busy lately that I can only post once a week :(
Do you have a blog? Next time you stop by, perhaps you'd like to share your blog address with me and my readers. Hope to read more of your comments.
Cheers!
I found your blog while looking for some inspirational pictures. We are in the midst of making a big decision and your quote above, reminding us to think with our hearts, was just what I needed to reaffirm we are on the right track. Thank you. Love your blog!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Katie,
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear you like the picture I chose for this post. Thanks for your kind words. If you follow your heart, you can't go wrong ;)