I'm having one of those days...

...You know the kind-where it's almost time for dinner and you still haven't made it to the shower. I'm not even sure how it happened, it's not like I've gotten a whole bunch accomplished. In fact, I've gotten nothing done. Not one thing.

Oh wait, I did do one thing, I suppose, I read several blogs.  I'm obsessed, I swear I am! Speaking of which, whilst perusing I bummed an invite to pinterest from Whitney, author of  A Diary of a Preppy Mom. (Thanks, LOVE that pinterest!) So now I'm obsessed along with Whitney over all those ascetically pleasing pics!

I also entered some divine, but popular, giveaways, though now I can't remember where or what anymore-golly I hate that!

While out and about I also made a point of reading Mary's blog over at Kidlit.com. I pay her a visit everyday, so this isn't all that unusual. Her blog is sort of like a writer's bible.

Anyway, today Mary was offering a handful of super lucky writers the opportunity to have their beloved work torn apart-right there on her blog.  All we have to do is send in the first 500 words of our manuscript. Doesn't that sound like fun? Apparently, if the beginning of your book is crappy enough, you win! Mary will select your work out of hundreds of other hopefuls to analyze in front of the writer world! Okay, so I'm totally excited about this!

We all are! You should have seen the glowing comments! It was like Christmas in June. Right now her readers are digging through their cluttered desks in search of that one manuscript that they couldn't quite get off the ground, and the most likely culprit was the blasted off- kilter hook in the first few paragraphs.

Just like anyone who is trying to hone their craft, we'll do anything to get there--even endure extreme bouts of criticism in front of our peers. So guess what I'm doing after my shower? You got it! I'm thinking that unlike those giveaways I entered earlier, I ought to have a great shot at this! Wish me luck!!!!

Getting Lost In The Storm

This morning, Jo Knowles offered up a beautiful post entitled, "If You Whisper, No One Will Hear You" and Other Terrible Things Not To Believe". In my opinion, it's well worth reading, I linked it below for those interested.

In her post I loved the effortlessness with which Knowles expressed her idea, and found myself struck by the simple truth of it.  She wrote about Casey Abrams, a contestant on American Idol. Apparently, on the show last night he stuck to his guns and boldly performed a song he was told would 'make him small'.  But as it turns out, his risky decision blew him into the spotlight, showcasing his talent while making him shine! There was no 'smallness' in that move.

The way I interpreted Knowles' post, and please forgive me if I'm way off course, is that you don't necessarily have to conform to societal norms to succeed. Be yourself and the rest will fall into place.

And I agree with the premise. I do.

But there seem to be an awful lot of big voices out there.  And amongst writers, there appears to be a collective sentiment that if you don't get on the bandwagon and make yourself heard, you will never prosper. I'm referring to media as it relates to writers.  Some might call it a platform.
This may seem off topic, but I think the very fiber of Knowles' blog applies to this issue. "You don't have to be a hurricane to be heard."  Or do you? As I enter this new technological realm, the idea of getting lost in it weighs heavily on my mind.  I'm like one small drop of rain in a tumultuous storm, attempting to change form while remaining transparent.

Being new to the media world, I often find it a little overwhelming, accompanied by the sensation of being trampled underfoot.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not technologically stunted, I've met my computer and I know how to e-mail. However, in today's age, e-mailing has become somewhat antiquated.  Now most of the world is connected by way of facebook and twitter, blogs and google buzz.  The ability to exchange dialogue is easily accessible, it sits at our fingertips, and with the punch of a few buttons, all our friends and business associates could know we just drank a cup of coffee and are currently watching Fox News. It comes so easily in fact, that words tend to fly, they're everywhere and sometimes I find myself ducking just so I don't get hit in the back of the head with one of 'em.

As with any career, promoting oneself is a part of the job. This isn't a criticism but merely an observation. To tell the truth, I enjoy it. It has me doing something I like to do anyway-and that is to write. I'll admit that at first I was hesitant to get on board, worried that I might lose my voice in all of this chaos. That I wouldn't stay true to myself and my beliefs.  But I've discovered  in the eye of the storm such a wealth of support and acceptance that my fears have fallen to the weigh-side. In the last five some-odd days I've learned this: Get yourself out there, but do it your own way and do it at your own pace.  As Knowles so eloquently wrote, "Believe what's in your heart." Remember who you are and try not to second guess. And if you find you've lost your way, why not ask yourself, what would Casey Abrams do?

 "If You Whisper, No One Will Hear You" and Other Terrible Things Not to Believe