"Success comes to a writer, as a rule, so gradually that it is always something of a shock to him to look back and realize the heights to which he has climbed."~P. G. Wodehouse
Have you looked back lately to see how far you've come? Does it surprise you? I think it helps to look back! Sometimes it really just feels like you're trudging forward, never making any progress, but when you look back to where you started, you realize that that trudging is actually making a difference! And sometimes you see a really winding path with tons of backtracking.... but that's okay, too, because still-- that starting point is WAY back there. It's kind of cool when you look back to that green writer you used to be, and see the progress.
Makes you want a cookie, doesn't it?
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| By Veganbaking.net [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons |
Have a fantastically spooky weekend, everyone!
22 comments:
Very encouraging words. Odd that I hadn't realized how much I needed a nice pick-me-up until reading your post today.
Off to the Fun Friday activities. Have a great weekend as well, Peggy.
I was thinking about that the other day.
Not the progress I'd made, but how much I wanted a cookie :o)
Take Two: A writing pen-pal and I were just having this very conversation. I slap my hand on my forehead and cringe thinking about some of the writing I've submitted. Oh the shame! Except, with everything I write, I learn. I'm hoping a year from now I'll look back on what I'm writing now and think, "What was I thinking?" I want to be able to continually progress. Go us!
As long as those cookies aren't made from real pumpkins, I'm in.
Yum. When I attended Book Academy the second year I was really surprised at how much I'd learned over the previous year.
You are so right, Peggy! In a couple of weeks I will celebrate my 5th year blogiversary. Not only has my blog gotten better, so has my life and it has led me to the next step ... plans of really doing some writing.
If I would have never begun my blog? Don't know.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend too, and thank you for the delicious cookies!
Kathy M.
I did a post on this last month, where I found reading my current manuscript for the first time since finishing was a lot less cringe-inducing than reading my first manuscript for the first time. I think it's a sign of growth. Or macular degeneration.
Inspiriting post, Peggy! I've come a long way, but the path in front of me is longer (thank goodness). :)
so true. looking back makes me cringe, but it's also great because i realize my current stuff isn't as cringe-worthy.
Sometimes we don't notice how far we've com until we look back. If we only see the problems we're facing now we won't remember what we've overcome. We'll think we aren't progressing (because there will always be problems, even if not the same ones) and get discouraged.
Heck yeah, look how far we've come Pegs! Time to celebrate...and then get back to work again. Haha.
Another good reason to look back on old writings, I think, is to remind myself of old ideas. It helps me reinvigorate the stories I'm working on, perhaps revive old ideas that never found completion, and fix stories from the past so I can share them with others now (and not cringe).
Excellent post. I think I may be in one of those backtrack places, but still. Also, those cookies are adorable.
What an excellent post. I've gone from writing an essay in a creative writing class 16 years ago to editor of a magazine, with numerous articles in print. A few minutes ago, I just received the proof of my second novel from the UPS man. I'm not as far as I'd like to be, but never in my wildest dreams would I ever dream I'd be where I am today. Life is amazing when you look in the rearview mirror. And yes, I do want a cookie!
Thanks and have a happy weekend.
So true! Seeing how far I've come makes me think I really can improve for years to come.
Love the look of those cookies. Looking back is important sometimes, because it's hard to forget what you've achieved. I spend a lot of time pointing out to women in the gym how much weight they've lost, or how much fitter they are - when I'm working, obviously, I don't just stalk them!!
I have done that recently most definitely. :)
Thanks for this, Peggy! I was just thinking about this earlier tonight. We writers sometimes forget to pause and celebrate...we just keep writing. ;)
You're right, that starting point is so far back it seems like it was in another life. I write a lot better now. But I sure wish my being-pubbed goal was visible on the horizon instead of just being a daydream. :P
Is that a vegan cookie? You can keep it. ;)
JUST KIDDING! I never turn down cookies!!!
I'm still trudging but I can see progress. Slow simple progress.
Love this quote :) I makes me want to look back.
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