I've been researching occupations for book three. If my main character decides to become a doctor, she's in for a long haul. Did you know only 30% of people who apply to U.S. medical schools get in? Did you know that in addition to completing undergraduate science courses, you need to volunteer or have work experience in health-related fields?
Hey, how about becoming a lawyer? Hmm, the difficulty rates right up there with following the medical career path.
Perhaps my heroine would find writing an easier way to earn a living? According to ehow.com, becoming an author is as challenging as becoming a doctor.
Okay, so what does this mean? Becoming an author is a goal worthy of commitment and sacrifice. A new blogging friend, Britt Mitchell, recently quoted a cemetary epitaph. The person expressed the delight of finding someone to love. How awesome that years after their death and the deaths of those who knew them we can glimpse their heart through the written word.
Our writing can be a legacy to our families, friends, and future generations. What would you like your great-grandchildren and their children to know about you?
47 comments:
I would want them to know how much I love to laugh, and that I'm a huge optimist!
Hubby and I sometimes stop at old cemeteries. It would be touching to read that on a tombstone.
That's really an interesting little tidbit, Susan!
When I think about what I want my girls to have learned from my writing, it's that I followed my dreams.
I would definitely want to be remembered as being loved and has having loved. It's the best gift to give and receive.
Good luck finding that perfect career for your character.
That I persued my dream of being a writer even when life's events made it almost impossible. . .that they need to persue their dreams and not let anyone or anything stop them. And of course, lift all dreams in prayer for guidance.
What a great way to think about our writing. With that in mind, I think I'll go pen something for my grandson to read in much later years:) Great post, Susan!
Blessings,
Karen
Hi Lily -
That's great! The love of laughter and optimism are qualities that people can understand.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Janna -
You're certainly giving them an example by following your dreams every day. :)
Blessings,
Susan
Hi Heather -
Wonderful! Making sure our loved ones know how much we care will impact how they treat future generations.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Donna -
Our relationship with the Lord is the most important component in whatever we do. One scripture tells us to do everything to the glory of God.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Karen -
Great idea! A friend in my writers group spent 40 years in Japan as a missionary. She wrote and self-published a book about their experiences. Her children, grandchildren, and friends will always have that record.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Heather -
Thanks! I've made a decision and given her a personality to match. :)
Blessings,
Susan
I want them to know I was a woman of faith--and imagination. :0)
In my cedar chest are signed copies of my novels and a novella manuscript that I wrote back in the early 90s. I also have kept the notebooks that I hand wrote my novels in. The reason I keep all this is that they will hopefully be passed down to my grand children and great grandchildren after I'm gone.
Hi Kristen -
What shall we call these desires? How about LIFE goals?
I like the way you boiled it down to two profound things: faith and imagination.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Rita -
I'm sure your family will treasure your creativity for years to come.
My published devotionals and articles are currently in files. I should put copies or maybe the originals in a special box. This way, everyone will know it isn't junk and toss it.
Just what I need - another project. LOL!
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hey Susan! Interesting information about the occupations. I'm working on that for my characters as well.
I'd love for my family to know how much I love them and that no matter how hard things go, I always persevered.
Wow! That's a lot to think about.... I'll have to get back to you on this post. :O)
Hi Cindy -
Welcome back from being unplugged! Hope you and your family had a blessed Christmas.
It shocked me that writing ranked right up there with becoming a doctor or lawyer in difficulty. It sure takes a lot of determination.
I think love and perseverence are part of a great heritage for the next generation.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Diane -
Oh my, I hope I didn't tie you into too many knots! Writing tends to get the gears moving in my brain. LOL!
Blessings,
Susan :)
That I persevered. And that God is faithful.
Hi Carla -
Thanks for commenting. :)
Perseverence and faithfulness are a powerful combination.
Blessings,
Susan
As difficult as becoming a doctor, wow, I can believe that. My husband is an attorney, so I know how hard someone works for that one.
Legacy for my children and grandchildren is one of the main reasons I write. I want my words to point them to the Lord.
I'd like them to know that I thought about a ton of stuff and that I was real and hopefully more than they saw. And that I loved them more than they even could tell!
Happy New Year to you!
Wow, as tough as becoming a dr. huh? Oh well, it takes more than that to scare me!
I'd like my kids and grandkids to get a clearer glimps of God's grace from my life and writing. And to laugh more.
Hi Jen -
It doesn't scare me either. I already know it's tough.
The whole process makes me appreciate the wonderful authors and writers out there, who work so hard. When I enjoy reading a book, I know the long road it took to get to me.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Terri -
That's what I loved about Britt's post. The tombstone gave more than name, date of birth, and date of death. I got a glimpse of the person's life.
Maybe that's why I enjoy biographies. It's about real life. :)
Blessings,
Susan
Hi Joanne -
I guess I never connected the two since doctors save lives. Yet the scripture says that the power of life and death is in the tongue. A famous quote says the pen is mightier than the sword. It gave me a new perspective on writing.
The more I write, the more I want to make sure I preserve it for future generations.
Blessings,
Susan :)
What a lovely post! I would like my grandkids to know that I love to laugh, adore animals, and am a devout Christian. If they read my novels, they'll have strong role models.
I would like them to know that I loved writing and attempted to be a published writer, even though that probably isn't happening any time soon. I want them to enjoy the writing process and save their things so their kids can read them.
Wow, great question. I'm not sure. I'd like to be known as an honest, Godly person. We'll see how that goes. LOL!
Interesting stats. :-)
Susan:
I would want those who come after me to know that God kept me through some personally trying times.
Hi Jill -
Thank you! What a great thought that you'd not only be showing them who you were, but also molding their character.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Nancy -
Encouraging their gifts by your example is a wonderful legacy. Watch for those seeds and the things they gravitate toward.
You might start a writing dynasty. :)
Blessings,
Susan
Hi Jess -
Doctors and lawyers have certain steps they must take to achieve their goals. Desire and talent alone are not sufficient. The same is true for writers.
Your children are blessed when you raise them with a Godly example.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Quiet Spirit -
Our testimony to God's faithfulness will impact people. When we've relied on Him through hard times, it gives others courage to persevere.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Thanks for the reference! I too was in awe of the tombstone.
Hi Shmologna -
You're welcome. I enjoy your blog, and your post helped me make a point. :)
Blessings,
Susan
Great post, Susan! You always get me thinking!!
That is amazing that writers have it just as hard as doctors. Then I think of all the years I've put into this already, and I'm not surprised.
Hi Kristen -
Thanks! I consider that a big compliment.
Anything worth doing takes a lot of time, effort, and commitment. Doctors save lives, lawyers help people get justice, but writers have the potential to influence people's thinking.
Blessings,
Susan :)
I would want them to know that I was a joyful person, loving, and creative.
Hi Suzanne -
Welcome and thanks for commenting. I post here Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
I think our writing can go a long way toward communicating, who we were as people. Think of all the writers from the past, whose words live on.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Eileen -
With such a strong showing, I think Erica is going to be around a long time.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Susan, this is a bit off topic, but I have a favorite epitaph.
During my mother's burial service, I happened to notice a single sentence etched onto the back of a neighboring headstone. It said, simply, "When are you going to make my lunch?"
Can you imagine that as someone's legacy :-)
Hi Jean -
Oh dear, I wonder if the person wanted that inscription on their tombstone - maybe thinking it was a joke. Or...a vengeful relative?
Either way, it's not how I'd want to be remembered.
Blessings,
Susan :)
I wish authors were as respected in our culture as doctors are, but you're right. We leave behind a legacy that is recorded by the written word. That is powerful. However, I'm hoping the words I leave behind are on more than just my epitaph. :D
Thanks for the interesting and encouraging words, Susan
Hi Denise -
Thanks for popping in and commenting. I agree with you. Hopefully, as writers we'll leave a body of work behind that will impact future generations.
Steve Green has a song called, "Find Us Faithful." May those who come behind us find us faithful!
Blessings,
Susan :)
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