Thursday, June 9, 2011

First Steps

 
"Be willing to be a beginner
every single morning."
 
~Meister Eckhart 


Wherever you are along the path of your writer's journey, there are new things coming your way. Embrace them with the openness and eagerness deserving of new beginnings. 

Elana J. is beginning a new path as she celebrates the release of her debut novel. Hilary Wagner is beginning a new path as she prepares for the launch of her second rat masterpiece.  You may be at the beginning of this writing dream or of blogging, or the start of revisions, or the search for your first critique group, or the beginning of query wars, or the fear of going on subs . . .

Enjoy each step of the journey for its newness and its challenges. Wake up each morning willing to be a beginner again. As beginners, we thirst for knowledge and experience. Stay thirsty.

What are you beginning today?

26 comments:

Natalie Aguirre said...

What a great inspiring post. It's a great way to look at the journey. Every day my journey is seeing if I can get a little bit of writing in for the day, even if I'm super busy. Each little step gets me closer to the end.

Old Kitty said...

All the best to you and Elana and Hilary!! Amazing writers all of you! Take care
x

Candyland said...

everyday I'm beginning trying to become a morning person. Alas, it has failed me again.

Miranda Hardy said...

I've enjoyed each step along the way, and I love learning new things. This is a good reminder to appreciate each step in the process. It only brings us closer to our goals.

Bidisha said...

Lovely post.
I'm beginning to finish my first draft.Irony, much?

Patti said...

That's so true Shannon. You learn from every step, so we should embrace them.

I'm hoping to finish my revisions today.

Heidi Willis said...

I'm beginning my second semester this week, flying out to Oregon for a new residency. Excited, and overwhelmed at once!

I love the idea that every day is a new beginning for something.

Anonymous said...

How inspiring! I'm at the beginning of starring 18k that needs to be written in the face. (And the large number would slowly be disappearing if I would stop reading blogs. *guilty smile*)

Heather said...

As my launch is only a few months away, I'm definitely at one of those beginnings right now. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't freaking out a bit, okay a lot. But I'm excited too!

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

I know this feeling well! But it's true that you must embrace the beginning, as scary as it may be.

Right now we're at the start of the summer, trying to figure out how I'm going to be able to get my work done with the kids home!

Shari said...

I am at the beginning of completely rewriting my nanowrimo novel. Lots of work, but kind of exciting. Great post!

Barbara Watson said...

I'm ready for a face-to-face critique group (been in an online one for several months) but need the personal contact. And... I suppose that means actually searching and seeking.

Sherrie Petersen said...

Each step is different. Some days each step feels like a first step!

Tamika: said...

Love this post, I feel renewed:)

I think everyday my challenge is trusting God to give me just enough light for the step I'm on.

Looking ahead can be dark and dangerous.

Lindz Pagel said...

Quite the uplifting post. Thanks.
Today I'm beginning revisions on the next chapter.

Hilary Wagner said...

Shannon, you are so sweet to mention me and I'm so excited for Elana too! Gosh, I just wish every writer out there whose trying to get published and ever feels down and out (I sure did sometimes) can realize it does happen! I was not expecting to be published, but I was sure hoping and I'm STILL learning! :)

xoxo -- Hilary

Hilary Wagner said...

Oh, yeah, and just ignore that big fat typo in my post! I'm a writer! I swear! Blerg... (who is not whose)

Stephanie Damore said...

I'm embracing the writing process. Here I go.

Jonathon Arntson said...

Stepping in the huge footprints of Hilary and Elana could be daunting to a novice like me, but instead I am inspired and excited to make my own footprints. Thanks for the reminder, Shannon.

Tales of Whimsy said...

What a great thought.

Theresa Milstein said...

Thanks for the bit of inspiration!

I haven't written in so many days, I don't know where I am on my writing journey. Stalled.

I wrote about steps to publication today. Funny!

Terri Tiffany said...

What a great quote! Each time I try something new with my writing--which is every book--I get excited about the journey.

Jemi Fraser said...

Love those quotes! I love the attitude too :) I'm stepping towards the next chapter in my rewrite!

Anonymous said...

Very excited for Elana and Hilary!
What an encouraging post. It is so easy to see if as what are you near the end of, in the middle of, in-between, but beginning makes it all the more exciting and fresh. Thanks Shannon!

Jennie Englund said...

Hi Shannon! How's your writing stuffs?

I'm beginning being a better mom-- more patient, more listening, more engaged -- like every other day before.

Angela Ackerman said...

Love this post! <3

Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

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