Tuesday, January 19, 2010

See to Your Gusto!

"Zest. Gusto. How rarely one hears these words used. How rarely do we see people living, or for that matter, creating by them. Yet if I were asked to name the most important items in a writer's make-up, the things that shape his material and rush him along the road to where he wants to go, I could only warn him to look to his zest, see to his gusto." ~ Ray Bradbury



As for the writers in our blogging circle, I don't think this is much of an issue. You guys are full of zest and gusto about your writing (most days!). But I do think there are many writers out there who forget they are supposed to enjoy the process, to be enthusiastic and proactive. There are days when writing becomes work, when it feels more like drudgery than fun. On those days, "look to your zest, see to your gusto."

I hope your day is filled with ZEST and GUSTO!

23 comments:

Jonathon Arntson said...

Lovely, gave me a big smile.

Thanks for the reminding me to enjoy writing and stay upbeat. I will heed your advice!

Anissa said...

This is a great reminder as I trudge through revisions. Thanks!

BK Mattingly said...

Right back at ya! Your posts always make me smile and inspire me. :)

Courtney Barr - The Southern Princess said...

I love the word Gusto! It is so fun.
I also am partial to Gumption. Don't know why the G's...hmmm

thanks for always being such a ray of sunshine Shannon!

;o)

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Jonathon - I'm glad I made you smile.

Anissa - May you revise with zest and gusto, Anissa!

Bethany - Aww, thanks, Bethany!

Princess - I love the word gumption. It has such a positive connotation.

Joshua McCune said...

Ha, zest and gusto are my anti-words. Love the quote; love the kitty pic more.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

ZEST. check
GUSTO. check
I got my priorities in order!

Kelly H-Y said...

Amen to that!!!

Hardygirl said...

I love this! You are so right.

sf

Kimberly Franklin said...

This definitely filled me with Zest, but I'm not so sure about the Gusto. LOL. : )

Have a great day!

Valerie Geary said...

I am not zestful today... I'm tired. But that kitty makes me very very happy!!! :D

Jemi Fraser said...

Great quote!! Zest & gusto are definitely important :)

kah said...

Just wrote "Zest & Gusto" on a post-it and I'm sticking it to my mirror. :)

Stacey J. Warner said...

love the reminder...

thank you.

much love

Anonymous said...

Hey, Carol and I are giving that book away in our contest, y'know. :)

All you have to do is write some flash fiction... (hint. Hint. HINT.)

;)

It is, however, a great quote.

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Shannon--Thanks for the reminder. I've been easy distracted the past week. Hopefully tomorrow I will be full of zest and gusto. :)

Stephanie Thornton said...

I love this post. I love writing, even on the bad days. Everyone has them, but it's hard to get excited for someone who constantly complains about the process.

Yay for zest!

Roxane B. Salonen said...

Sometimes when I don't have it, a little coffee helps. :) That's probably not a good thing but for now, it's working out okay. You, dear blogging friend, are definitely one who frequently reminds me of zest and gusto. This was a perfect post for you to write.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Bane - Yes,but does your big doggy love the kitty pic?

Tricia - Priorities are good!

Kelly - Yes!

sf - Thanks. Ray Bradbury is a wealth of great writing stuff.

Kimberly -I'll have to keep working at the gusto part then!

Valerie - I do what I can. :)

Jemi - Aren't they just fun words?!

Karen - Good girl! Maybe I'll try that too.

Stacey - Enjoy!

Simon - Hmmm. Are you trying to tell me something, Simon?

Sharon - I hope so, too. Fun words like that have to give you some kind of energy boost.

Stephanie - I love your always-positive attitude and your enthusiasm Stephanie!

Roxane - Thanks, Roxane. Coffee is also one of my tricks. Whether it helps or not, it sure feels good. :-)

Frankie Diane Mallis said...

Yay gusto!! Thanks for the reminder:-)

Kathy McIntosh said...

Loved this! Zest and gusto are words that you can taste and feel.

Jen said...

I adore this quote. Thanks for the reminder (and the darling picture of the kitten :)

Jen

Tales of Whimsy said...

What an adorable image :)

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