I am pleased and honoured to share with you the following guest post.
Angela Ackermanis one half of The Bookshelf Muse blogging duo, and co-author of The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression. Listing the body language, visceral reactions and thoughts associated with seventy-five different emotions, this brainstorming guide is a valuable tool for showing, not telling, emotion. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, in the shadow of the Rockies, with her family, dog and one slightly zombie-like fish.
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How many times have you run into someone, and when it comes out that you’re a writer, they say, “You’re so lucky. I would love to write a book someday.” Or maybe a spark lights up in their eyes as they tell you this great idea they have for a story, or their hands get all animated as they describe a novel they read, falling right back into that world.
What you’re seeing is Passion. It might be only a glimmer, or a full-out flame, but either way, there’s something big going on inside them, if they only knew how to set it free.
I’ve run into a lot of writers-in-waiting: people who love books and to read, who have big imaginations and who enjoy the lyrical nature of how words fit together. Maybe they journal, or fiddle with poems or haikus, or create jingles in their mind as they watch cheesy TV commercials. The point is, they are writers in all but name. Oh, if only they knew!
Sometimes when they tell me I’m lucky to be a writer, I’ll ask them, “Well, why don’t you become one too?”
Often than glow that lit them up only a second before clouds over. They say things like, “Oh but I couldn’t. That’s just a dream. I don’t know a thing about writing.” Or, “I don’t have time between work and the kids and the gardening and the house. In fact, did you see the peeling paint on the fence? I have to get on that soon or the whole thing will rot away…” and the conversation becomes a list of chores needing to be done, work waiting to fill the hours.
It makes me sad, because that writer-in-waiting is still inside, wanting to be let free. It wants to be more than a dream. It wants to make the journey.
Being a writer (or following any dream for that matter), takes courage. We come into it knowing little, but passion sustains us and then bit by bit, we learn and grow. Sometimes it’s about waiting for the right time, but mostly it’s about MAKING TIME.
Our world is so busy and frantic. There are bills to pay yes, and housework and meetings and kids circling like piranhas asking about dinner, but there is also passion. Make time for it. If you want to write, pick up a pen. Apply to paper. Let the words flow. No matter where you are in life, how old or young you are, it’s never too late to turn a dream into a reality.
August 7, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Great advice, as always. I love that term “writers-in-waiting”–perfect for those would-be writers who haven’t made the jump yet. Thanks for sharing, Angela. And thanks, Tess, for hosting her!
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August 7, 2012 at 5:14 pm
I love hosting: dinner parties, bookclubs, guest bloggers. Today has been an immense pleasure. Allow me to thank you both for this wonderful opportunity. Lucky me.
By the way, I’m ordering The Emotion Thesaurus; I hope everyone does. Making this purchase has been on my ‘to do’ list for a while. Now is the time for action.
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August 7, 2012 at 8:09 pm
You are too kind, Tess. There’s nothing better than finding other passionate people to share the road with. No matter how that creativity manifests itself, we need to nurture it and let it grow. Thanks for inviting me here–I’m honored!
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August 7, 2012 at 5:34 pm
This is excellent and really inspiring. It’s taken a long time for me to call myself a writer and even so I can’t say it everyday.
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August 7, 2012 at 7:13 pm
I feel the same way. Not long ago someone asked a question and part of my answer was, “I am a writer.” I don’t know where the words came from but I said them and began to believe I was
If you aspire to paint with passion, would you not say you are a painter? So NICE to exchange ideas and opinions with you, Gilly. I enjoy your blog. Keep up the great work.
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August 7, 2012 at 8:11 pm
It took me a long time to say it without hesitation or rushing through the word. I felt like if I wasn’t published, I wasn’t a ‘real’ writer. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. A person becomes a writer the second they dedicate themselves to writing and learning. 🙂
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August 7, 2012 at 7:02 pm
I am a Grandma living a dream come true with my photography. Always, always do what you love! Kathy
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August 7, 2012 at 8:12 pm
Hurray! I am so glad to hear you’re following your passions! I really love photography and down the road this will be something I will dedicate more time to. 🙂
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August 8, 2012 at 4:50 pm
You will have more time then! It truly is an incredible thing, Angel. I am living a dream come true!
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August 7, 2012 at 7:34 pm
Sounds advice. I think the enormity of the task of writing a book/novel puts many people off. But as you have said it’s just about writing a little every day..even if it is only half an hour.
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August 7, 2012 at 8:13 pm
It really is just a bit at a time. 🙂 The idea of writing a full novel was so daunting at first, but I wrote short stories and sort of worked my way into it. Now I know a ton of novelists who achieved ‘the end’ by writing twenty minutes or so at a time. 🙂
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August 8, 2012 at 12:05 am
So, and just to be clear, is it okay if we choose jamming thumb to bruised keyboard, over pen to paper?
Cause you know, I’m very much a 21st century sort of guy… =]
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August 8, 2012 at 10:57 am
Haha, yes, yes and yes! Paper and pen, a keyboard, or heck, an etch-a-sketch. Whatever gets all that genius passion inside of you out has my vote!
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August 10, 2012 at 11:44 am
*giggles for Etch-A-Sketch* I have a penchant for receipts. It works. Four of the poems from my new book came off of receipts from the grocery.
Red.
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August 10, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Grocery store receipts? Sure, why not? We should all be more like you, Red. Forget analyzing and just DO IT! Thanks for dropping in.
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August 8, 2012 at 7:01 pm
I see Angela agrees whatever does the job is GOOD.
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August 8, 2012 at 2:46 am
This is exactly how it happened for me. I had a story I wanted to tell, but didn’t know how…
I signed up for a ‘Write Your Life Stories’ and a ‘Free the Writer Within’ course… And no one could have been more surprised than me when my memoir was published in April!
Dreams really do come true, they just take a lot of hard work 🙂
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August 8, 2012 at 10:57 am
Maggie, what a great success story! That is so awesome–congrats on your publication!
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August 8, 2012 at 5:14 am
An excellent and inspiring post Tess. Thank you. I have been writing all of my life, since I learned how to spell. It has taken me almost as long to be comfortable calling myself writer. This blogging thing has lent to great credibility about unpublished writers and I am not giving up, nor am I going back to calling myself a writer in waiting.
Thanks again so much for this~ BB
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August 8, 2012 at 10:59 am
Barefoot, I think you brought us something super important here–blogging has been a game changer for so many. I am glad it is allowing you to achieve your dream of being a writer! 🙂
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August 8, 2012 at 6:46 am
Angela, your post reminded me of one of Ze Frank’s talks, where he says:
“If I ever get a case of the too-toos — too old, too fat, too late — let me shake it off like a donkey shakes off something he doesn’t like.”
There are at least two Nobel prize winners who started writing only in their late thirties. Were they worried about age, time, the cult of youth and the fanaticism of Now? I don’t think they were.
Each one of us has a unique gearbox and we don’t shift into high gear until we’ve hit the right number of rotations.
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August 13, 2012 at 6:20 pm
I love that quote. Like you, I think there’s a certain advantage to starting something late sometimes–we have a better perspective and we’re much more patient!
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August 8, 2012 at 9:30 am
Yes, maybe I should stop thinking about it and just try and do it, even if only for my own benefit.
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August 8, 2012 at 11:01 am
Optie, I know many writers who write just for themselves. I think on some level, we all do this and them some choose to take the next step. Others are content just to let the words flow. Either way, letting creativity out is a wonderful thing. 🙂 Happy writing!
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August 8, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Thank you for this one Tess, wonderful hosting. I don’t ever say I am a writer though there is that little secret passion in me clawing to get out.
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August 9, 2012 at 8:38 pm
Yes, I know about the secret passion too. Why are you so hard on yourself? You’ve written articles and so well too. You ARE a writer.
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August 10, 2012 at 12:45 am
I just don’t say it Tess. Not being hard just not the thing I am right now, it is the thing I love. Saying it would be like jinxing it, does that make sense?
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August 10, 2012 at 11:19 am
Indeed, Valentine. Sometimes ‘labels’ are our worst enemies. Thank you for sharing.
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August 13, 2012 at 6:21 pm
Don’t say it out loud if you don’t want to, but keep feeding your passion. This is really what life is all about 🙂
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August 14, 2012 at 8:10 am
That is the best advice, thank you.
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August 9, 2012 at 3:22 am
Just reading other people’s comments here, this came up on another blog a while ago, the issue of not wanting to call ourselves a writer, so when asked what we do we list the other things we do, like our day job, being a mother etc and then perhaps add something like “And I do a bit of writing on the side, just for fun”.
The ‘no time’ excuse is one that we all use, but if something is important to us then we can, and should make time for it. I always ask myself whether I want to be lying on my death bed thinking “Well, I might not have ever written that book that was burning inside me for all those years, but boy, were my floors and windows clean!”.
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August 9, 2012 at 8:36 pm
So true, Vanessa. Why is it so difficult to say who we believe we are? Oh, maybe because we have such a high regard for the calling? Yep, this must be the answer.
I enjoy the process. Writing or editing keep me happy but I don’t use the ‘term’ lightly.
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August 13, 2012 at 6:22 pm
I so agree. I think this is one of the big reasons why i took the leap–I didn’t want to look back and see the giant hole of regret staring back at me.
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August 10, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Wow! Emotional Thesaurus! That one is amazingly unique. Thanks! =)
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August 10, 2012 at 5:48 pm
Unusual but most USEful. Check it out online. Click on Bookshelf Muse and click on Emotion Thesauraus on upper left-hand tab for a preview.
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August 10, 2012 at 6:02 pm
Thanks for dropping by. Enjoy, Rem.
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August 13, 2012 at 6:22 pm
Thanks so much! 🙂
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August 12, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Great share, thanks!
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August 13, 2012 at 6:23 pm
Happy the post resonated with you–good luck with all your passions, beachcomber!
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August 14, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Kids circling like piranas — hey! What is she doing looking in my window ?
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August 15, 2012 at 9:44 pm
Of course it’s never too late! Thanks for sharing. But, please explain the whole “zombie fish” situation. Thanks!
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August 16, 2012 at 9:16 pm
I’m not sure, Rebecca. I hope Angela see your comment and responds.
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August 18, 2012 at 11:27 am
I love this post!! And I agree – life is short, re prioritize, put the fear away and just do it. Your message speaks loud and clear and is reaching individuals of all ages.
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August 19, 2012 at 7:02 pm
Maybe we worry about labels too much. I know I find some intimidating. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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September 4, 2012 at 10:36 pm
Thanks. I certainly hope not!
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September 4, 2012 at 10:58 pm
Where there is hope, this also is art. Thanks from commenting.
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September 5, 2012 at 5:09 pm
This is very inspirational and encouraging, thank you for sharing! I can fully relate to the feeling of having a passion but lacking the confidence and self-belief to follow the dream. I wonder if the insecurity always remains in some quantity, no matter the success you achieve? High regard for the calling is right on the money I think!
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September 5, 2012 at 9:06 pm
Yes, I also have a high regard for the calling. After all, ONE is the lonliest number and writing is a lonely job…I have to thank Becca, a co-writer of Emotion Thesaurus for this guest post.
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