Some folks believe you should only make a resolution that’s practical, one you know there’s a real possibility of reaching. That would be a resolution like writing thirty minutes a day or sending out five queries to agents within the next two months. Others think that visions are acceptable on your resolution list. Visions might include things that are not in your hands (or that most people believe are not in your hands.) They'd say that you can’t set a goal to win the Caldecott because that's in the Caldecott committee's hands. The Cliffhangers decided to make resolutions in both areas. But even visions may need tempering. If you have yet to be published, writing down a vision to win the Caldecott might be skipping ahead too far. Instead, try making your vision getting published by a good publisher, then set goals that will help that vision come to fruition. There are lots of things and lots of emotions that can take us off track as we pursue our resolutions. Becoming discouraged and being anxious are two of them. There’s a quote, often attributed to one popularly known as Lao Tzu, that may help in side-stepping these negative emotions. "If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.” We as writers often become despondent over rejections, but a rejection is in the past, even if you just read it. We are frequently anxious about whether we will ever find an agent or an editor who wants to publish our book, but anxiety doesn’t help our writing. It’s never beneficial. To move forward, the best place for us to be is the present, writing our story. Resolutions. Goals. Visions. These are all ways of reminding us that our talent will rise and shine only if it moves hand in hand with action.
3 Comments
Charlotte Dixon
1/9/2015 09:31:06 am
Great post to get some positive thoughts flowing. I like to set goals for myself and move forward to reach them. I do stumble with uncertainty and fight those negative emotions. It's a process, but I keep moving forward. You and your critique group are fortunate to have each other. Wishing you and yours a wonderful 2015!
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Maria Oka
1/15/2015 01:08:21 pm
Thank you Marsha! This is phenomenal. I am trying so very hard to be in the present, and you know what? I am seeing daily progress! Yay for that. Wonderful reminders, and I am rather jealous of your fabulous writing group. ;)
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2/13/2015 07:44:02 am
Thank YOU, Maria and Charlotte. Life is a process :) and living in the present a continuous challenge. I so appreciate your comments. A wonderful 2015 to you too.
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