Strengths and Weaknesses

A friend of mine sent me this video to encourage me.  As I've mentioned a few times before, my oldest son (who is almost three) struggles with speech.  It's an area that will be difficult for him for quite some time, and so in the meantime, we are working on teaching him sign language.  He picks up on new signs so quickly!  Before I had no idea what went on in that little head of his, but every day I'm getting a glimpse of the things he thinks about and notices, and it's awesome.

Anyway, this video really did inspire me and I hope you watch it and find inspiration as well.  When my son gets older I will definitely share it with him and hopefully it will encourage and inspire him as well. 

What a beautiful reminder that we all have weaknesses and areas where we struggle, but we also have strengths, areas where we can bless others with our gifts and talents!  

Some people have indicated they couldn't play the video.  If that's you, then here's the link to the video on youtube:       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLdg9FMp7f8

Crazy 2012, Great 2013

My goal in 2012 was to send out query letters seeking representation for my YA manuscript.  And of course, that meant that by December of 2012 I'd have an agent in love with my manuscript and begging me to give them the honor and privilege of representing my book. ;)

But honestly the road to rejection representation has been rocky. I didn't send out as many letters as I wanted.  I had lots of life obstacles pop up: an appendectomy, being put on limited bed rest while pregnant, adjusting to a new baby, moving to a new state, plus the general busyness of life.

My 2012 Querying Stats:
Queries sent: 20
Rejections: 18
Requests for full: 2
Rejections of full: 2

Writing contests entered: 5
Writing contests won: 0

Yep.  Lots of discouragement and life stresses that prevented me from writing and seeking publication and blogging as much as I wanted.

But, some great things happened.  I could have lost the baby when I had my appendix removed, but baby is currently five months old and contently rolling all over the floor while blowing bubbles and babbling.  Hubster and I are much stronger as a couple, and stronger in our faith after weathering the storms that came our way.  And despite all those writerly rejections, the fact that 2 out of 20 agents were interested gives me a glimmer of hope that the story itself is an intriguing concept.  The story just needs improvement.  Luckily, those two agents gave me some helpful feedback, so my plan is to revise (yet again!), rewrite my query letter, and try again.

Also, I plan on writing a Bible study.  So incredibly different from the YA fiction I've been writing for years, but I must say that God taught me so much through the past year and I am eager to share it with others.  Plus, it has been great to try writing in a different format and genre. :)

And, because my life is finally settling down, I do plan on blogging a little more.  Yippeee!!

After the crazy 2012 we have had, I'm looking forward to great things in 2013!

Bloggy buddies, thanks for sticking with me during the past crazy year!  And now, I want to know, what great things do you have planned for this year? 

Cupcakes and Writing: Turtle

Turtle Cupcakes: Persevering

Ahh, nothing like chocolate and caramel and pecans to create a scrumptious and savory treat.  And that turtle atop the turtle cupcake in that picture is so gosh darn cute.  Kinda wishing I had that kind of creativity right now to create such awesomeness.

But anyway, the turtle cupcake reminds me of two aspects of the writing life, and both have to do with perseverance.

First: Slow and steady wins the race.

You remember the story of the tortoise and the hare, right?  Well, he didn't let the hare stop him in his own race, which is something I probably would have done.  I probably would have thought, "Well the hare is gonna win, why bother keep going?"

But he did.

I enter writing contests and don't win, but I see some of my blog buddies win.  And I want to give up.  But eventually I determine to keep going.

I get ANOTHER rejection letter, and see a blog buddy get an agent or get their book published and I want to give up.  But eventually I keep going.

I get writer's block and want to give up.  But eventually I push through it and keep going.

Slow and steady wins the race.  And though the slowness can be discouraging most of the time, sometimes, it gives me the opportunity to appreciate the journey.  I sure am learning a lot along the way.  About writing and myself.  And I will keep going.  Because maybe, just maybe, I will finish the race.

Second: Turtles have to be bold to get anywhere.

I mean, think about it.  They carry this nice hard shell on their back.  It's always with them and they could stay inside it forever and never get hurt.  But, if they want to get anywhere, they have to emerge.  They have to be vulnerable and poke those little arms and legs and head out of their shell.  And then they have to take one slow step after another, their extremities continually exposed to danger.

As a writer, we have to stick our hearts out there every time we share our writing with someone, or we send out a query letter, or enter a contest.  And the potential for danger is always there: a criticism, another rejection is always a threat.  But, if we ever want to get anywhere, if we want our story to do more than just live in our computers, or sit in a desk drawer, we have to be bold and take risks.  We have to keep on taking step after step, even if it means we are exposed.

What setbacks have you faced?  And what motivates you to keep on persevering?   And what do you think of turtles (the cupcake and the reptile)? ;)

Inspirational Quote of the Month

                      --Theodore Roosevelt

Too true, Teddy!  And lately I've been realizing the best way to do that is to stop comparing yourself and where you are in your journey to anyone else.  Just focus on you, what you have, and what you can do.  Take baby steps in the right direction.  You can do it!

Check back on Wednesday for the next Cupcake and Writing post for more on this concept. :)