I just talked by phone with my partner from the Strategic Planning for artists seminar--a conversation that re-inspired me about my work, as if that were currently needed.
During the Creative Capital/NC Arts Council workshop, we paired off into buddies to continue to stay in touch and encourage each other. Of course those conversations work as deadlines too: I want to have some progress to report.
My partner Bridgette Lacy works a few blocks away from me in downtown Raleigh; she's writes features about authors and others for the News & Observer, and is finishing revisions on a novel.
We found that we'd taken similar steps since returning to Raleigh from the conference a week ago. We both began to ORGANIZE RUTHLESSLY.
I'm whittling down my desk pile of stray things-to-do. This usually feels like procrastination; now that issue is not worrying me. Getting my mind and desk organized feels NECESSARY.
I also made a decision about an offer to teach at a university. I'd been agonizing over it, because the school is a Christian evangelical one and I knew in my heart that I wasn't really a fit. I'm a Christian among other things; I and my upcoming novel COBALT BLUE take a serious interest in voodoo. END OF AGONIZING: I said no and didn't look back.
Bridgette--well, her story is hers to tell and she promises me she's going to tell it here pretty soon. But you can rest assured that she is on a roll.
And she left me a bit of wisdom from the weekend that I had forgotten. Here it is:
BIG DREAMS, SMALL STEPS, WRITE IT DOWN
That probably doesn't need a lot of explanation, but here's a bit anyway. Set your goals as large as you can imagine. Break them into the smallest possible steps. Write the steps down and then tackle them, tidbit by tidbit. The power of those little steps begins to accrue, thus beginning a CAREER GROWTH SPURT.
A personal BOLDNESS ADDENDUM: This weekend, as a graduate of a class called Singing for Non-Singers, I sang a solo at the talent show at my husband's office party. I had had nothing to drink but a lemon-lime soda. And I was fairly at ease.
My husband Bob Dick is a psychologist in a practice with 31 other psychotherapists. I had learned a song in the class called "Be Gone, Dull Care" that I thought was appropriate for this group. I told them it was an ancient psychotherapy song from the British Isles. People were very kind and encouraging to me, even though I had to follow a terrific rendition of "Bobby McGee."
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3 comments:
Next to the elevator pitch, singing a solo in front of a crowd is just about the scariest thing I can think of! I'm impressed with these bold moves.
I have been Not Writing for several weeks. Scary. I was getting panicked. But it occurred to me a couple of days ago, not in a huge lightning bolt moment, but just a passing thought - for me, not writing is a bold move. More specifically, giving myself permission to rest and trusting that it doesn't mean anything bad.
Changing the frame gave me some peace, and then, incredibly, I woke up, walked upstairs to my office, put on a soft celtic music CD, lit my candle, and got to work again. I've been doing that morning and evening for the past 3 days.
I love the big dreams, small steps, write it down. Sometime recently I wrote down all the bookstores I want to read in when Folie gets published. :)
Thanks for sharing all this useful information.
Your way of getting back into writing seems perfect, Billie.
Congratulations on taking the needed and well-deserved time off, too.
I love the idea of listing bookstores where I mean to read. I'll do that before my next book publication.
Also, I'm searching for the photo of my customized Career Success Barbie doll. It has mysteriously disappeared. I hope this is not a failure of boldness.
Not a failure... but perhaps a little sign that it's time to do a new one???
:))
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