Today I am writing over with Lisa-Jo Baker, author of Surprised by Motherhood.
Today’s Word: WRITER
I have no idea how to start this.
That’s irony. Love it when irony comes and whacks me upside the head.
Maybe I should get a graphic. Is there a graphic I can use?
Oh Google, you complete me.
No, NO graphics! Focus. You’re supposed to write, no editing, straight five minutes.
Just WRITE. Don’t THINK.
I used to tell my students that. Now I know how they feel.
I wonder if anyone will find this at all interesting.
Or funny. I gotta be funny. Some days that’s harder than I thought it would be.
Feeling stalled – have too many irons in the fire.
That’s a cliche. Not supposed to do those.
Why can’t I come up with anything terrific? Viral?
Why did I wait until after lunch to attempt this?
Why did I wait until I was 43 to start thinking, “I want to write. Really WRITE. Like, for real. All the time.”
Why did I wait so long for all this? By the time I get a book deal, I’ll be so old I won’t even be able to read it.
Unless it’s in large print. I could make sure they make one in large print.
I used to tell my students, just keep that pencil moving. Doodle if you have to.
I think my version of that now is checking facebook. Pshh. Bad writer!
I wake up with ideas in my head, things I want to say.
Things I have to say.
Why in the world did I wait until I had two toddlers to attempt to SAY so much?
In my twenties, I collected ideas too. And wrote self-indulgent love sick poetry.
And never sent out a query or submitted anything. Ever. Too scared.
Now I submit all the time. Rejections come flowing back in streams.
Occasionally, the nugget of gold: a “Yes” we like your stuff.
Still scared. But sending out the words.
And submitting to: the late hours, the distracted mind, the rejection, the waiting, the ego trip, the ego smush, God’s timing. Fear.
Freedom.
I have to. I don’t have a choice anymore.
Dana Bowman 
Sounds like a real writer’s thoughts to me!
Thank you. I feel like a “real” writer these days, most of the time!
Love this. Bravo to you for stepping out and stepping up in spite of fears. I read Madeleine L’Engle’s book “Walking on Water” where she mentioned her book “A Wrinkle in Time” was rejected for 2 years before finally accepted. I guess it comes with the territory. Personally, I’ve submitted only once so your post is an encouragement to me. Bet you didn’t expect your thoughts to finally end up doing that, did you? 🙂 Blessings to you…and I love the typewriter!
Oh thank you. That typewriter is one I have had for AGES- wrote my first story on it. 😉 I am so glad I could be an encouragment – isn’t that what it’s really all about?
You have put in words how I often feel and how so many of your writer sisters probably feel too. It’s never to late! I’ve got 2 years on you of living – so let’s not let anything stop us. Let’s write!
*stopping by from FMF
Amen!! Thank you!