I was reading a blog by Arthur A Levine (http://arthuralevine.wordpress.com/), and he had written about ambitions and goals; how there needs to be some kind of balance between them. It's one thing to be ambitious and believe you can do something, and it's quite another to actually do it. Most writers I know, myself included, are really good at one thing: procrastination. We all have the best intentions, and all the ambition in the world, but it's hard when you don't really know if all your work will actually pay off. I've spent years writing and re-writing a novel and I have no guarantees when or if it will ever be published. Somedays I'd look at the manuscript and think, finally! It's done. Then I'd realize, that's what I thought last year, only to have someone look at it, and point out a few major flaws (sometimes more than a few...). How do I know this time it was really is ready to submit? Well, I don't know, but it sure won't get published if it's tucked away under the bed.
In the beginning of this year I gave myself one goal: submit my novel. I decided long ago that New Years Resolutions were futile. I'd always give up after a month or two, but goals were different. This was one thing. One thing to do, and I did it. Having ambition was like having a Starbucks gift card; I still had to decide (make a goal) to walk to the store and use it. At this point, anything else I do will be like whip cream on my caramel macchiato. So...I'll take that Venti Caramel Macchiato please, extra shot of espresso, don't hold back on the whip cream!!
Friends, say a prayer, wish me luck, sprinkle a little pixie dust. I'm still holding my breath, waiting to see if my order will be filled.
Caren E. Salas
Photo: http://sixthseal.com/
