Courtesy Terribleminds
You have an idea. Something’s been on your mind that you’ve been wanting to express. It’s chased its tail around in your brainpan. It’s yapping and frothing at the mouth. You know what you need to do, but it’s just so cute sometimes to see the idea act this way, especially since you’ve been with it from the beginning.
You need to pull the trigger, friend.
It could be a darling you know is in need of murder. It could be the starting gun for that new project you’ve had percolating for years. Maybe it’s not even related to writing directly, but getting something off of your chest and out of your mind can help clear the decks for getting that project underway or improving.
You believe in your work. Well, you should, at least. It’s yours, after all, and yours alone. The thing about believing in one’s own creative work, however, and seeking a way to get it out where others can see and enjoy it is that sooner or later, you’re going to have to fight for it. You may have to struggle with your own self-esteem, or push through the frustrations of revisions & rejections, or scream to be heard over the thousand other chirping wanna-bes who are trying to get that same bit of cake you’re straining to reach.
In all of the above cases, the only way to do it is to do it. Strap on that steel-toed cleat. Heft that hardwood bat. Pull the trigger.
August 9, 2010 at 3:12 pm
It’s funny you post this…I was just thinking the same thing. In fact, I am cranking out a couple of short stories that are demanding to be told. I have to write them before I can get back to the Six-Guns stuff. I also just created a kind of writing totem for myself, something I carry in my pocket (in a Jim Morrison shamanistic mojo kind of trinkety fashion) and I have a brass bullet (replica) hanging from it, to remind myself to just take the shot. You can’t hit the target if you don’t shoot.
August 9, 2010 at 3:21 pm
I think I need to print this out and tack it to my wall in front of my desk! (Right next to my latest rejection letter…) But Joseph’s right, the only shots we’re gauranteed to miss are the one’s we never take (and I think I need to tack that to my wall too). Bon courage!
August 9, 2010 at 4:00 pm
A nice post —
A quick FYI (while I’m between boxes) —
I’m very cool with you using my photos. The only thing I ask is the same thing I ask of any other blog: just give me credit in the blog post itself. Thanks, Josh!
— Chuck