Gleeful Journeys
As I mentioned in my last post, I’m in Texas visiting family. My niece, Haley, received the first season of Glee on DVD. Watching the series has become a family activity. Everyone (including my 20-year-old nephew) loves it. Each time we hear the closing music we want more! Anyway, back on topic. What’s on my mind today is the season one finale where the Glee club goes to regionals to compete.
They know they’re underdogs but try to stay confident. Then, their competition shows up one day in the auditorium, does a number and completely destroys the confidence of Glee club members.
Mr. Schuester, the Glee club sponsor, suggests a medley of Journey songs as their regionals routine to remind them that winning isn’t what’s important – it’s the journey, the experiences we have and share along the way. One of the songs was “Don’t Stop Believing.”
I know this applies to my writing life. There’s no end point – a prize – that will make me a real author. I’m an author today. The journey is going to include a lot of ups and downs. Does that mean I can’t be ecstatic that an agent asked to see my full manuscript this week? I’d miss out on so much if I lived in expectation of the day when it won’t be “hard” anymore. It will always be hard.
My new writer friend has an agent (hurray!). She’s completed three manuscripts (triple hurray). Yet, she received three rejections from publishers this week. She’s still a success in my eyes. After a cupcake or two, I know she’s feeling better and that her journey continues. After all, she’s a writer. What can she do but keep writing?
What’s your journey?
🙂
Cupcakes ALWAYS help.
So do awesome, supportive writer friends. Thanks. 😉
I like how boldly you are able to state “I am an author today.” When did you first start thinking of yourself (and feel comfortable calling yourself) an “author”?
I’d call my journey, especially when it comes to writing creatively, “take yourself seriously.”
Though I write poetry, I hesitate to call myself the p-word. At the same time, I think we have to take ourselves seriously before we can produce anything of serious value.
My journey includes writing and recording music even if no one will listen to it or buy it. And that really feels tough at times. But I must BE a recording artist, because I can’t seem to stop. Even knowing that when I put my music up for sale online there’s a really good chance that it gets lost in the sea of other music available, still I can’t seem to give up. That tells me the inner drive has more to do with creating than with trying to get rich and famous.
By the way, I was all set after this holiday season. I had it all… the musical equipment, the recording technology, the experience/know-how (engineering wise), AND, finally, the warm clothing (base layers!) to allow me to happily play outside. (Balance, anyone?)
Then, yesterday, my laptop died. After 4.5 years of solid, faithful service.
So now, being a recording artist includes investment in the tools of my craft.
I am an artist. Whether or not the world sees me as such. I am an artist.
Jenni, you ARE a poet just as Tim is an artist and musician; just as Tracy and I are authors. I do believe we must claim those identities. The fact that we do what we do without monetary reward (yet) speaks to the drive/passion that compels us to create. Yay that so many of us share this trait.