Saturday, April 25, 2009

I am a great writer, I am a great writer, I am a great writer...

State of my writing: Focused on writing notes and studying for my upcoming women's conference. I really need to buckle down today. Putting away my completed and revised MS until such a time that I feel would be good to pull it out again. Maybe, never. It might just be one of those things. Maybe it's out of season. Maybe it's just not something people would be interested in. Maybe, I didn't stretch myself enough.

State of my reading: Scriptures regarding my conference topic, and passed on The Shack. For now, at least. I need a funny, poignant and light-hearted romp. So, I reached for I Capture the Castle. If you've not yet read it, you must!

Okay, I know it's been a week since my last post. Hate that! But, I've been really busy with all kinds of preschool, women's conference, and just plain, being sick, kinda stuff. So, I'm glad to be back. Still not at 100%, but getting there.

I've been speaking positive affirmations to myself. And, as long as I don't end up behind the couch in the fetal position, or eating copious amounts of chocolate (well, I'm one for two, anyway), I suppose I'll be fine. This is a really hard and bumpy road, but one that must be traveled, non-the-less.

I love what I do. Right now, without accolades or applause, just obscure and unknown, with all of its frustrations, I still love what I do. Why? Because I'm a writer. From the depths of my being, that's what I am.

As discouraging as this process can be, it's my enthusiasm for this craft that keeps me going and creating when the going gets tough. I have to purpose within myself to enjoy the journey, even when there doesn't seem to be much to enjoy about it.

The emotional highs of creating a beautiful moment or dialogue that sings, to the emotional lows of rejection or "writer's block," it's a real bi-polar type experience. Thankfully, I'm still non-medicated.

XOXO, CJ

Shoe Mood:










Choosing to shine, even when my writer's soul feels a little drab.







7 comments:

Rena Jones said...

Good luck with your writing and everything else you have going on right now, Cherie. I hope you're feeling better as well.

C.J. Raymer said...

Thank you, Rena, sweet friend! Kinda been funked up, so to speak. Every now and then I get caught up in the whirlwinds of life. These past few weeks have been no exception. But, we push forward and on to the great moments that await us. XOXO

Bish Denham said...

I hear you about those positive affirmations. I still have a hard time accepting compliments, believing in my own writing.

I've said it before, even Jane Yolen still gets rejections. And her advise is to forget everything, expect nothing...just write.

Nora MacFarlane said...

Keep on keepin' on...

I like Bish's advice!

C.J. Raymer said...

Great advice, Bish! Thank you so much. MUAH!!

Christina Farley said...

I guess this is all about letting our minds dwell on what is good right?

Thanks for the reminder of where to be focusing my thoughts. I needed it too. And I loved your picture.

Sharon said...

Cherie, I love the music as I read your entry for today. I do need a fun book to read so I may just have to check out the one you mentioned. ( I forget what it is already though.:)) We really need to get together again - if not before, as soon as school is over! So sorry - our weekends are just full right now...but we'll do it, we will!

Must Reads

  • "A Long Fatal Love Chase" by Louisa May Alcott
  • "Gone With the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell
  • "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith
  • "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo
  • "Rebecca" by Daphne Du Maurier
  • "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing" by M.T. Anderson
  • "The Grace Awakening" by Charles Swindoll