Sunday, July 12, 2009

Sometimes You Have to Stick Your Neck Out






It's true.







"To Write" is an active verb. Thinking is not writing. Talking about writing doesn't count either. Blogging only marginally counts ;)



A little while ago, I blogged about a conversation I had with a non writing friend. You can see it here if you missed it. It was hilarious and painful at the same time. When the conversation was happening, I thought to myself, "Tess, why do you have to tell everyone your dreams? Why can't you just play your cards a little bit closer to the vest?"




But, at some point, we have to step out of the shadows and onto the stage.




Dig deep for a bit of courage.




Gather gumption.



Stick our necks out




and claim our dreams.








Who's with me?


*

21 comments:

lucent1 said...

That is easier said than done, but you've given me a bit of inspiration here. Thanks for that.

Danyelle L. said...

*raises hand*

So very true. :D

Stephanie McGee said...

It's why I have the blog, so I can get support and encouragement that I don't get in my real life.

Thanks for the great post!

Novice Writer Anonymous

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Of course, stick your neck out. Just be sure it's not on the chopping block, you know, just watch where you're sticking it. *maniacal grin*
Okay, kidding aside, I'm with you. Neck out.

Corey Schwartz said...

Definitely with you!

kah said...

GO GO GADGET NECK! I'm with ya. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm with you, Tess. Let's just hope I'm not with Marie Antoinette though.

Nayuleska said...

I'm with you. Why have dreams,if we don't chase them?

Martin Willoughby said...

I have a friend who is scared of putting his writing out there. What advice would you give him...er...her?

Scott said...

Woo-hoo. My name is Scott and I'm a writer!

Gee, that wasn't so bad. Wait, why is my eye twitching, now my hand . . . oh, crap!

Kidding! Great post.

S

Michelle said...

My dad used to say that sometimes you have to get dirty to have fun. Neck out. Sometimes dodging the stuff that comes flying at my head, but at least I can see the view.

Cynthia Chapman Willis said...

I'm with you and clapping loudly at such a great post!

Lynnette Labelle said...

And I LOVE the turtle pic!!!!

Lynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

Janna Leadbetter said...

Count me in! We can't own it unless we claim it.

Alicia Evans said...

I'm in. It's what makes EVERYTHING count. Yeah it's hard sometimes, it's painful and sometimes it's even a little embarassing...but guess what--YOU'RE doing it. It's what seperates the mice from men--or in our case women!

Completely off topic, I don't see how people eat turtles. They're so cute!

Tess said...

Good morning, friends! thanks for the comments and for the giggles. This is just something I've been musing on lately. How, we have to be willing to put a voice on our dreams if we really expect anything to happen. I like the comments about how it can be scary or how it can even be painful when it doesn't go smooth as glass, but that's an important part of the process, right?

How can we expect the universe to give us something we won't even allow ourselves to voice?

Good thoughts going on here :D thanks!

Crystal said...

Tess, I'm with you!

I think that's part of the reason I started my blog . . . to try and stick my neck out just a little & claim my "dream"! Because by nature, I tend to be on the shy side. Very few people know of my writing ambitions, mostly just my immediate family & a few close friends. Only 2 people at my job know I write (out of a company of about 200). But out here, in the blogosphere, it's the opposite. So many more people know I write and it's such a comfort to be able to discuss my writing as well as writing in general with people who actually GET what you're talking about.

But yes, you're right, we have to voice our dreams in our real life, too (although I do consider my blog & blogging part of my real life!). And I'm still learning to do that . . . dealing with those who want to know how "the writing is coming along" . . . :)

Thanks for this post, Tess!

PJ Hoover said...

OMG, on my car ride here, I was just thinking about how I tend to keep things close to my chest. I do stick my neck out, but only in calculated stretches!

Amy Allgeyer Cook said...

I totally agree. I used to keep my little successes (good rejections, partial requests, etc.) to myself because I didn't want to tell anyone until I had an acceptance. I finally realized if I didn't celebrate those little successes, I might never have anything to celebrate.

Kate Karyus Quinn said...

I am definitely a turtle who likes to keep my neck inside my shell, not so much with other writers, but with everyone else, including some of my close family, I am very quiet about my writing. You are right though, there are times when we need to being willing to claim our dreams!

lisa and laura said...

We're with you!

How did I miss this!? Sometimes my google reader fails me.

This is a crazy journey, isn't it? Definitely not for the faint of heart...