Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The Talisman

UPDATE: According to Random.Org, the lucky winner of a free copy of Countdown and a Countdown canvas bag is #14:

Lisa_Gibson

Congratulations, Lisa!
Please e-mail me your address



"All that is necessary to break the spell of inertia and frustration is this: Act as if it were impossible to fail. That is the talisman, the formula, the command of right about face which turns us from failure to success."
~Dorthea Bragg




Maybe this is a possible antidote to writer's block. Or query anxiety. Or self-doubt. Or whatever ails you. I love the word talisman. It brings to mind all things magical.

There is the belief that whatever we send out into the universe circles back to us. Why not confidence and success - the "fake it 'til you make it" philosophy?!


What helps you stay positive when it would be easier to let the doubts creep in?

36 comments:

Anna Staniszewski said...

I find that chocolate helps, but I'm definitely still working on how to deal with doubt! It's funny because I actually introduced a talisman in my WIP yesterday. :-)

Jonathon Arntson said...

That picture is perfect for me because I have been saying that over and over for the two hours that I've been up.

Aubrie said...

My blogger friends definitely help me stay positive. I like that saying "today is better than yesterday". I needed that first thing in the morning.

Mary Aalgaard said...

Duct tape over the mouth of my inner critic, and phone a friend! Just keep writing and dreaming, singing and playing. Art inspires art. Amen.

Laurel Garver said...

My alpha readers--the ones who love everything I write. Their encouragement helps more than anything else. I keep on keeping on to not disappoint them!

Lindsay said...

My friends, blogger friends, my CP, beta readers. Oh and chocolate. lol.

Jaydee Morgan said...

When doubt creeps in, I tend to rely on my friends, good coffee and my own stubborness to continue.

Candyland said...

My blog comments:)

Kenda Turner said...

A good long walk!

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Work! Maybe I got nothing to write that day but I can at least do the laundry, clean house and weed the garden lol!

Roxane B. Salonen said...

A continual exploration of what God wants for me. When doubts creep in and rejections come, I step aside for a time and say, "Alright God, what would YOU will for me." It's not always the answer I'd been seeking, and oftentimes, is even better. He help set our passions in motion, but occasionally we get off track with them. When a gift comes my way, an acceptance, an award, I feel affirmed, and then I keep searching for what's next. :)

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

I'm the queen of "fake it until you make it." :) That gets me along until occasionally I fall into a pit of despair. That's when my husband and friends give me a hand up. :)

Jennifer Shirk said...

My crit partners help me stay positive and help me to laugh too. Keeps me going. :)

Janna Leadbetter said...

I know this will sound cliched, but I look on the bright side. Soon enough, the sun will come out.

You're so great with encouragement, Shannon. Thanks.

Diane said...

Love the post it banner! I think of the movie Vacation.... with each new day brings new hope. It cracks me up!!! :O)

Janet Johnson said...

Great quote! Now I'm off to go fake some of that confidence . . . ;)

Patti Lacy said...

God's promises. Oh, He's such a good God!!!!

His Word, which provides weapons to combat those lies...

AND last and hopefully way least, an oxlike stubbornness to persevere.
Love your blog!!!
P

Erica Mitchell said...

My husband, he makes everything better (most days) my mom and best friend. They are my go to people for when doubt starts to creep in. Singing helps release frustration and my blogger buddies and comments as well as my wonderful CP's. Now if I could just get the internal editor to shuuuuut uuuuupppp lol! Love the quote :)

Tahereh said...

ahhh such a good question.

for me? it's the potential of possibility. knowing there's always a chance for anyone who wants something badly enough. nothing is impossible.

thanks for the boost!

Stina said...

Chocolate. Exercise. My writer friends. :D

Anonymous said...

I ignore the doubts the best I can. And jump into a good book or a good movie.

Joshua McCune said...

Interesting quote, though a bit dangerous, IMO... guess I want to add the caveat (but know how to fall -- or at least how to land).

Heather said...

What helps me stay positive is my wonderful hubby. That and every time one of my friend's sells their book or lands an agent! It reminds me that there is hope, good things are still happening!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations, Lisa.
And I guess I'm just too single-minded to doubt for long.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Lisa!

When doubts set in, it helps to think of all the recent things that have been going well in my life -- and eat copious amount of chocolate. :)

DL Hammons said...

Congratulations Lisa!

I'm a strong believer in Karma! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Congrats Lisa - I love when I 'know' the winners! :)

Doubt is always a shadow for me. It's hard to ignore, but I do my best!

Courtney Barr - The Southern Princess said...

Congrats Lisa!

Love the quote Shannon!!!

Visit My Kingdom Anytime

Southpaw said...

I was gonna say what Anna said! Well, I’ll go ahead and say it anyway - chocolate.

Terri Tiffany said...

I wish you the best with query. I don't like writing them at all.
How do I stay positive? I don't always but try to realize that one never knows what will happen each day.

Tabitha Bird said...

I refuse to give up. That is what keeps me positive.

Kathi Oram Peterson said...

It's good to remember such sayings. I love that "whatever you put out there comes back." Good words to live by. Thanks for making my day.

Stephanie Thornton said...

I've thought of giving up, but I have to give this every bit of me before I throw in the towel. So when I'm down, I eat chocolate, take a couple days of R&R and then get back at it.

Talisman really is a great word- full of magic. Great post!

Susan Fields said...

Congrats to Lisa!

I'm not sure I do always stay positive, but I always keep writing because I can't imagine not writing. I absolutely love that quote!

Anonymous said...

CONGRATS Lisa!

Great quote!

Sometimes it's hard to stay positive when you have so much negativity going on around you in the world. You have to try and surround yourself with positive people. Positive daily affirmations can also help.

prashant said...

My blogger friends definitely help me stay positive.
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