Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Try Again

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow."
~ Mary Anne Radmacher
 
 
 

Try again. 

  • If you're stuck on an idea . . . try again.
  • If you haven't written in weeks . . . try again.
  • If you're in the mirky middle, not sure where to go from there, back up and . . . try again.
  • If you're tired of revising for the umpteenth time . . . try again.
  • If you've queried unsuccessfully . . . try again.
  • If you have a kick-butt book on shelves at Barnes & Noble . . . try again.

This writing thing that we are crazy enough to be a part of is ALL ABOUT trying again. Tomorrow is a new day. At least, that's what Theresa Milstein keeps telling me. So, bulk up those courage muscles and try again!

What do you need to try again this week?

27 comments:

Unknown said...

I've actually just started to try again at my current WIP. It took me so long, but now it's flowing.

Laura Pauling said...

Great message! We always have those times where we just have to brush ourselves off and keep going!

Old Kitty said...

I love this quote. Thank you!!!!!

I shall definitely try again to find a home for one of my short stories! It's done, it's been critiqued and re-written to death and critiqued again so it's ready. It just needs a home!!

Take care
x

Kenda Turner said...

Thanks for the inspiration :-) I'm trying a first chapter revision again after a weekend regional SCBWI conference critique. Here we go again!

Jennifer Shirk said...

Oh, I needed this this week.
I need to ry and write again this week.

Jennie Englund said...

So good! I need to try to set a new goal. Had thought scribbling 1,000 words a day was doable, but it's become way too lofty, and I haven't written much at all.

500 maybe? THAT might work!

Laurel Garver said...

I'm going to try to have fun with writing again! I've been re-reading Elizabeth Berg's Escaping into the Open, and this piece of advice hit right where I needed it. Anyone with perfectionist tendencies like me runs the risk of taking one's self too seriously and freezing up when the time comes to sit down and write. Better that we try again to PLAY! The ideas definitely start flowing again.

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Thanks, Shannon! I needed this one.

Lindsay said...

You always have the best quotes to encourage me, Shannon! I need to get back to my synopsis this week. It is evil, but I shall win!

Mary Aalgaard said...

Okay, I just added a couple donuts to my courage weight bar.

Anonymous said...

I love the last one. Even with success, we still need to try again. I needed this today too. I began with small edits but think I have to do a major over-haul of my latest short story, and try to write it all over again.

Laura S. said...

This is such a great post! I love that quote. Thanks for the encouragement and motivation, Shannon!

Kayeleen Hamblin said...

I need to try and edit my sisters poetry anthology. And then, try to clean my house again.

Tales of Whimsy said...

Amen. I love that little voice.

Stephanie Thornton said...

I had been keeping to 1,000 words a day, but this cold has knocked the wind out of my sails. Need to try again!

Karen Lange said...

Getting focused. :) Great post. This amigo is thankful to have another smart amigo who helps provide perspective.
Blessings and hugs,
Karen

Natalie Aguirre said...

That quote is so inspiring. I am trying again the revision thing. For the umpteenth time. But I'm doing it.

Melissa Sugar said...

This is perfect & I happended to read it at the most perfect time in my life. A lot has happened and I was becoming distant from my writing. You provided me with the pick me up and inspiration I needed.

1. I will try again to focus on my goals and if they need to be redefined I will do so.

2. I will try again to find the happiness and joy that I normally find from writing

3. I will try again this week to finish my two chapters that were my goal from last week and the week before

4. I will try again for the next 8 weeks to finally finish my first draft

Thanks

Valerie Geary said...

I could hug you right now...this is exactly what I needed. If you've forgotten how to write and work a full time job...try again!

Sherrie Petersen said...

I always believe in trying again. It's the only way to keep getting better.

Jordan McMakin said...

Thank you, Shannon, for sharing. These are wise words I needed to hear. I like this quote to:

"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try"

Have a great day everyone. Don't ever give up.

Unknown said...

This is an excellent mantra and one I must keep repeating.

Heather said...

What a beautiful, encouraging take on courage. I loved it! Thank you for the inspiration. I may print that out and hang it next to my work station.

Ishta Mercurio said...

Awesome post! And right in line with my Google Buzz status - there must be something in the interwebz this week.

I need to keep working on submitting to magazines, as well as subbing my PBs. And rewriting the beginning of my chapter book, which just won't come out right. It will work - I just have to keep trying.

KM Nalle said...

I'm trying again on my revisions tonight. Thanks for the encouraging words.

Corey Schwartz said...

Oh, perfect timing on this one. My twinderella story! I am emotionally recovered and ready to revise!

Liz @ Cleverly Inked said...

This should apply to life in general.

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