ABCs for New Writers - "I" is for Inspire

For all intents and purposes I mean inspire others, but as with everything, this is somewhat karmic (what goes out comes back tenfold). Why? As you uplift others and propel them forward to follow their own dreams, so too are you moved forward toward your own. Deep, huh? Some day you’ll find that quote in Bartlett’s.

I witness it each day in my own life as well as the lives of my fellow writers. When you are able to share your stories, struggles and triumphs included, the individuals who follow your progress also become ready to try their hand at what they want most out of life. In other words, before you even publish your very first work you can affect lives. Ultimately isn’t that why we become writers, because we want to touch people, to pass on a message, to help them in some small way?

I interpret a writers “voice” in this way. It is the message that one intends to convey not the means by which one conveys it. (Boy, Bartlett’s here I come!) And though voice is a topic for another day, one that you will understand better by the time we get there, it bears weight in today’s conversation. As you share your story, your progress, you develop your voice.

I get e-mails from friends and readers regularly that say simply, “great job!” or “keep going!” Those small messages give me the courage I need to keep walking the path toward my ultimate goal of becoming a published author. The best ones though are the ones that read, “This was just what I needed to hear today. Thank you.” Those words can keep me going strong for days.

Reading the blogs of my fellow writers I see the same messages shared in the comments. In turn, I hear them speak about how friends and followers have inspired them and the circle continues because then I am inspired to share my story with you hoping that you will tell your story…see where I’m going with this. It creates a visual Microsoft might envy for a screen-saver – colorful, dramatic circles of sharing that keep going and going until someone touches the keyboard.

There are so many ways to share your story in today’s digital world. If you are afraid, or don’t understand something, ask for help. You can write a blog, tweet on Twitter, post your story on Facebook or all of the above, all in short bursts of words, that if done strategically, not only inspire others but help develop your platform and grow your audience. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. After all, we’re only at the letter “I”.

Join the conversation. Have you reached others by sharing your story? Would you like to? What would hold you back? What is your favorite comment, so far?

Until Wisdom Wednesday and Part II of Love in Five Parts, I remain Unstoppable.

ABCs for New Writers - "G" is for Go Get 'em Tiger!

Sometimes the best thing to do is just start, right? My mom once gave me this frilly, lace-fringed magnet that read, “I’d be unstoppable if I could only get started.” There’s no doubt that even at my age getting started isn’t always that easy to do.


But more importantly, once you get started, what are you going to do with that? Let me share with you a snippet form my own life – YOU KEEP GOING!

Why, Lindy, what ever do you mean (in my best Scarlett O’Hara voice)? I mean keep putting one foot in front of the other. But, I can’t take care of all these people (in my weakest Melanie rebut). Let me tell you a little something, if you can just keep taking one more step, you can go places, feed people, live your dream.

Forgive my Scarlett and Melanie references, but Nancy Knight rubbed off on me in her Well Begun is Half Done workshop this past Saturday at our monthly Georgia Romance Writers meeting.

Don’t believe me? Well, during the very last week of February and the very first week of March, I took an InDesign (Adobe graphic design program) course with my girlfriend who needed some help with her BIG advertising client. Three days over the course of two weeks I spent learning something new and you know what, here it is mid-April and not only do I work 10-15 hours a week for that client, I work another 10 hours a week for a recently acquired client of my own. Know why? Because I let go of my fear and self-doubt and took a flying leap of a cliff.

When I went soaring off the precipice into the open air and great unknown I had no idea that I could survive. I had no clue I could be successful. But I dove knowing that if I didn’t do it I would regret it for the rest of my life.

I strive to put that philosophy into practice in everything I do, including my writing.

So, if you ever find yourself thinking that it’s just not possible, you’re not good enough, or you’re just too darn lazy, guess what, those are all pretty lame excuses! Go out there and get ‘em tiger! I know you can.

Until Wednesday, I remain aloft and Unstoppable.

The Unstoppable Blog

Welcome to the new and improved Unstoppable Blog!

I heard recently that it is better to be whole than to be good. That one dwells with the Divine by embracing his or her nature. Do you believe that to be true? If so, I hope you will "Follow Me" this year as I journey down my path and Emerge Unstoppable in 2011.

If you want the back-story, please read my profile. Today is the first day of my new life, not a day to dwell on the past. Good-bye old me. Hello world!

I'll bet your wondering what's so special about this blog. Well, not much up until now, except that it is written by me. Ha! Kidding. My older posts are still available if you are interested in knowing more about my spirit, my writing, and who you are reading. But, looking ahead, I promise to bring you entertaining content, wisdom as I know it, and tips to make the journey of becoming a new writer your own.

Here's the plan:
Every Monday is Malleable Monday. That means I am giving you permission to take what is usually the worst day of the week and make it what you want it to be - bend it, shape it, make it your happy day. My Malleable Monday posts will focus on the ABCs for New Writers. In other words: Inspiration, Direction, Motivation. At lease, until we get to "Z".

Wednesdays are Wisdom Wednesdays. This is where we will share with each other little bits of wisdom we have gained as individuals.

And finally, Truth or Fiction Thursdays. Each Thursday I will share a short with you that is so incredible, so unbelievable, that you will have to ask yourself - Is it truth or is it fiction? Then hopefully, you'll share your answer with the group.

As for today and the re-launch of the Unstoppable Blog, I would like to gain 25 followers. How do you follow? Just click on the Follow button at the top of the page and follow the directions. (Lots of following to be done!) If you "Follow Me" today, midnight February 28, 2011 to midnight, March 1, 2011 (EST) your name will be entered into a drawing to win the Unstoppable T-shirt (or another Unstoppable product of your choosing). It's a cool shirt and it will get you started on your journey to Emerging Unstoppable in 2011!

Until Wednesday, I remain,
Unstoppable

Be Your Own Valentine!

Last night I sat alone in my living room bored to tears by commercials, missing the three-year-old love of my life that is on vacation with her dad, wishing that a heart-shaped box of chocolates would magically appear on my doorstep. How silly is that? After realizing I was throwing myself yet another pity party, I made a command decision: I rented Eat Pray Love and poured myself a glass of wine. For the next two hours I blubbered like a fool over how closely my life resembles fiction (or in this case, semi-non).

Here I am in the throes of reinvention, terrified about what is going to happen next, just starting to gain that unique perspective that: I am a strong woman, the Universe has determined my path, now all I need is to pay attention and do the work. I get it! I'm listening! I'm doing the work. My dream of being an author is being realized. My project calendar proves that. I can revise a novel in a week (without a three-year-old in tow). I can write a novel in a month. I can learn new things, accomplish goals, and add all of them to my resume. I can make money, live healthy, move forward and be happy, or I can just survive.

The heart-shaped box of chocolates isn't going to magically appear at my door, I don't need them to because I no longer want to be a survivor. I want the spice, the seasoning, the varied colors and textures of my favorite chocolates. I know what I want. When I'm craving good chocolate, I know where to find it. I can find it 365 days of the year. It doesn't have to come wrapped with a bow, though I might do that as a treat just for me. It's all my choice. I own it.

Now, don't get me wrong, one very important lesson learned from last night's "boo hoo fest" is that sometimes you need the imbalance of love to balance life, but that isn't where I am. I'm at the second act. I know what I'm missing, I'm out to discover it, and once I do maybe the Universe will see fit to throw me for a love loop AGAIN. For now I am content to get to know myself and what I am capable of. That's the sweet realization I need on this Valentine's Day. What about you?

Be you married, single, in limbo, in love, in pain, or otherwise, I hope on this Valentine's Day you will charge out your door, head straight to your nearest chocolatier and surprise yourself with the treat YOU desire, and deserve, most.

Until next time, I remain,
The Unstoppable Ms. Start