When we visited, my grandma always gave us a tour of her garden. Excitement bubbled over as I noted the changes. The mere hint of a bud now stood on the verge of opening. The next time we inspected the plant, the petals were positioning themselves into a flower like so many ballerinas on a stage. A day or two later, Grandma brought her garden shears outside and snipped the stem holding a perfect rose.Our writing endeavors are like my grandma's garden tour. Each stage brings joy and anticipation. While we look toward the day when our book sits on the shelf of a major chain and becomes the reader's choice, we can savor every step along the way.
How about you? Do dreams of the future make the journey a chore or a delight?
34 comments:
Sometimes my writing journey is filled with joy...other times it's a chore that I trudge through.
Roses are my favorite flower. Your sharing of the memory brings me pleasant flashbacks of the antique rose garden that I had.
Keeping you in prayer for great news about a new job!
Great post...and what a gorgeous rose!
I find it a delight and a chore. Delight in discovering something new and in the actual creative process of writing. But editing is a chore for me. I'm not good at it and it is like pulling teeth for me! Painful!!!
I focus on the delightful part:) My grandma was the same way, we had to see her garden, and each new thing she'd bought or done around the house when we'd come to visit. It was fun, and gave her joy. I miss her.
Have a wonderful week,
Karen
Hi Donna -
I'm sure many of the varieties in my Grandma's garden could qualify as antiques today.
Every writer goes through struggles. I need to be reminded there is joy in the process.
Thanks for your prayers. I haven't heard anything yet.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Karen -
I think I appreciate those times in Grandma's garden more now than I did back then. It's all part of enjoying life as it's happening.
Hmm, there's a devotional in there someplace. :)
Blessings,
Susan
Definitely a delight. Sometimes it can be overwhelming, though.
Hi Sherrinda -
I'm with you. Editing is my least favorite part of the process. With any job or creative endeavor, there's always one aspect that gives us trouble.
I wish the rose was from my garden, but my favorite graphic site provided this pic. :)
Blessings,
Susan
Hi Kristen -
I've gained such an appreciation for the articles, devotionals, and books I read. Since I'm writing and submitting, I know how much effort it takes to produce each one.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Okay, Susan. I'm trying to comment. I've had a few successful attempts today but I'm up seven tries on your blog. Ugh. What is wrong with my computer?
Sometimes I really feel overjoyed at the writing process. When I finally understand a technique, or put to paper a new idea, I feel elated.
But when I get back the third edit of a Chapter and it's still dripping in red, I feel like I'm subjecting myself to eternal humilation.
No trial is eternal, not for the children of God. So I don't give up!
My Grandma Betty always takes me to see her garden too! She's inspired me to become an amatuer flower girl myself :-)
Great post. :)
Dreams of being a writer have both ups and downs. The writing process is often such a joy.
But knowing what it takes to survive as a published author can be a bit overwhelming.
All dreams require work and sooner or later we have to just decide to go forward and delight in as much as we can. :)
Btw, glad you like the title of my book. My sister actually came up with that after reading the first draft. She thought my orginal one was too plain.
Hi Emily -
I'm still on the path toward publication. It's always encouraging to hear about another writer's journey. Thank you.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Schmologna -
Woohoo! You persevered, and your comment posted. All of the comments on my blog are moderated, so there's always a time delay.
My Grandma is with Jesus now, but my favorite memory is walking with her through her garden.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Susan, LOVED your post. My grandmother's entire back yard was a rose garden! Sadly, we didn't appreciate it in our early years as we wanted to whoop and holler, but I learned to love those strolls among rows of American Beauties and Pink Princesses.
My writing journey can be cumbersome or joyous. Depends on the day.
Let's just say this was a timely post!!!
Blessings!
Patti
Hi Patti -
I'm glad the post encouraged you. Have a wonderful day. :)
Blessings,
Susan
Beautiful analogy. I wish I'd had a grandma with a garden. Mine built houses for a living and yelled at people. Not so inspiring. But your image of your grandma and the rose will stick with me Susan, and inspire.
Hi Denise -
I'm sure your grandma inspired you in other ways - like being the strong, independent woman you are. :)
Blessings,
Susan
First I have to say I am a huge fan of old English roses. If you've never seen or smelled one you must they are a delight! I'm enjoying my journey as a writer and am so looking forward to whatever He has in store for me. I trust Him so.
That rose is absolutely gorgeous. I love flowers...
I'm finding the journey a bit of a chore and a delight. The chore is in writing proposals and queries and waiting endlessly only to be rejected. And the delight is in winning an occasional contest, being asked to send the full manuscript and seeing growth and improvement in my writing. Slowly but surely I'm getting there.
Hi T. Anne -
There's a possibility we may go to the annual Flower Show on Friday. Maybe I'll get to smell some of those English roses. :)
Trusting the Lord is key to surviving and thriving on this journey. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Blessings,
Susan
Hi Sharon -
I'm also grateful for those bits of encouragement along the way. One of my devotionals came out in the RevWriter Resource today, and one is in the Winter 2009-2010 issue of, "The Secret Place," (February 24th).
Blessings,
Susan :)
I think my dreams for the future make writing even more of a delight, because it's not just something fun I'm doing for the moment, but it's an investment for my life. :-)
Sweet post and memory.
Hi Jess -
Great point! It is an investment in the future. :)
Blessings,
Susan
Hi, Susan.
I find writing and editing a delight unless I'm working against a tight deadline.
Blessings,
Jean
Hi, Susan. I love gardens, too. My grandma grew pansies, and to this day they are my favorite, with their spunky faces smiling up at me and Jesus, making us laugh.
But they're fragile, and wilt in high temperatures.
My writing journey resembles those pansies. I love to smile and make others laugh, but the high temperatures of stress wilt me!
Beautiful analogy, Susan! I am trying to enjoy each stage of the opening blossom! I don't want to miss out on each stage because I'm too focused on the end product!
Hi Jen -
Oh, I like pansies too! Your analogy made me smile. You could write a whole post around that one.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Jody -
Great summary of my post. I imagine it might be easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of activity. :)
Blessings,
Susan
Hi Jean -
I've written a few things on deadline, but not a book. The pressure is greater with a date staring me in the face, but it also pushes me to action. :)
Blessings,
Susan
Ooooo... I'd have to say a little of each depending on if I'm having a great writing day or a bad one!
But even when I am having a grueling day at the keyboard, I look up at a quote by Jane Austen above my computer. "Success Supposes Endeavor." If I want success, I gotta put in the work, and that keeps me going!
Thanks, Susan
Beautiful. I remember many trips to my grandma's garden. Each stage does have its own beauties.
Hi Kristen -
Great quote! Thomas Edison always viewed his failures as one step closer to success. He learned what didn't work.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Nancy -
I guess a lot of our grandma's had beautiful gardens. I'm glad my post prompted some happy memories.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Dreams can be scary and exciting all at the same time I have found. I know God wants us to reach beyond our dreams, cause that is where the impossible happens and we learn to lean on Him. The journey I have been on this last year has been like watching the rose develop, loving each bloom as it unfolds. There have been a few pricks from the thorns, but I guess those are lessons learned.
Hi Jan -
Change brings stress--even good change! Any thing new comes with adjustments, learning curves, and a few tears.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Post a Comment