No, you haven't time warped. Unfortunately, it is Monday. Angel is in the middle of moving her home so she and I are swapping blog days this week. Angel will be back with us on Thursday. In the meantime you're stuck with my rambling insights for today :-)
Sweet Pea started horseback riding lessons yesterday. She's been begging for lessons for two years but no one would take her until she turned six. Well, six is only a few months away so one stable said they'd take her. She had an absolute blast! And found out that it isn't all fun and games. Taking care of the horse and learning how to ride properly takes hard work...if you want to do it right.
The same can be said for writing. I remember a time when it was easy. When I wrote the rough draft for my first book in 4 weeks with a one year old underfoot. It might have been easy but I wouldn't say the finished product was right.
Then I learned 'the rules'. And while I'll be the first to admit some of these are complete poppycock, they are based in the general idea that whatever you put down on the page can be better - with a little work.
I'm in the middle of revisions right now, the second round on this book. And it's difficult trying to decide what works and what doesn't, what stays and what goes. But there's no question in my mind that with each pass this book gets stronger. It may be hard work but in the end it will be worth it because the story will be better for the blood, sweat and tears.
So Sweet Pea and I are learning (or relearning) the same lesson at the moment. Sometimes you just gotta get through the tough stuff so you can enjoy the fun.
What do you think is worth the hard work?
Instigator
Update: Remember that today is the last day to enter our Red Hot Reads contest. If you haven't already, be sure to email your name, address, email, and how you found the playground to contest@writingplayground.com for a chance to win a great gift basket full of goodies.
7 comments:
Pretty much anything worth having...the books we write, relationships with family and friends, a good meal, a lovely garden. Sweet Pea just learned an important life lession. :-)
What Jen said. :-)
I think Jen pretty much hit the nail on the head. I don't feel nearly the sense of accomplishment over something that came easy as over something I really had to struggle with.
If you talk to Angel tell her I said hi! I know she's excited about her new house but dreaded packing and moving. Soon she'll be settled in and the move will be a distant memory.
PM
Ack! My days are all messed up now...and this is not a good week for that!!!
Jen's right. Anything worth having is worth the extra devotion or elbow grease. What's hard? Raising kids, trying to teach them right from wrong, helping them to learn to stand on their own two feet, giving them space when it's time for them to step out on their own. Letting go. Accepting what you can't change. Realizing your dreams when you've devoted yourself to everyone elses.
Ah, I always wanted riding lessons.
Kathy
Yep what Jen said - anything worthwhile. I always wanted a pony roflmao.
years of gruelling learning at college or university is worth the hard work if, in the end, you get a job that you love and get to work with people you get along with
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