Monday, November 15, 2010

Giant Steps?

Growing up, the neighborhood kids played a game called, "May I." We would line up, and one of us would stand a distance away, facing the others.

Each child would make a request. "May I take two baby steps?" The leader would either grant permission or deny it. She did not want any of us to take her place.

Someone else would say, "May I take five giant steps?" The leader would roar, "No, you may not take five giant steps." The person would amend their request and eventually be given permission.

This writing path often feels like a game of  "May I." We know it's a long road and want to get to our destination fast. "May I take seven giant steps?" (Translation: May I have a contract?) An editor or agent, says, "No, you may not." We approach them again, "May I take three baby steps?" (Translation: May I show you my one sheet?) "Yes, you may."

Someone once said a journey begins with a single step. We may not get to publishing land as fast as we'd like, but we'll have the opportunity to take steps every day in the right direction.

What steps did you take today? Was it a baby step or a giant step?

34 comments:

Melanie N. Brasher said...

what a great post. I'm just taking little baby steps these days and trying to finish this first manuscript.

Jan Cline said...

What a great post. I remember playing that game. My step started out with good advice from Oswald Chambers this morning. What we concern ourselves with can make or break our effectiveness as people and as writers. Now Im going to sit down and write out a plan for the week that excludes things that are only distractions. I want to work with purpose this week.
Have a good one, my friend.

Heather Sunseri said...

That's wonderful. I totally got a visual of the baby steps I've been taking. But I'm preparing for some pretty big steps in the next month.

Unknown said...

Great analogy, Susan! Of late, I've been taking some of each! Baby steps with my work in progress (but continuing to move forward!) and some giant steps - reaching out to some pretty well-known published authors for some much-needed direction! And I've even gotten a 'Yes, you may' in the course of my requests! God is good! Hugs & blessings!

Catherine West said...

Susan,
Every step along the path to publication is one step forward. Even when we get stalled out by a particularly harsh rejection or have one of those days where we just don't feel like doing this anymore. A bunch of baby steps can often lead to one giant step and then you're there! I never thought it would happen for me, but it has, and I am here to say keep taking those steps, everyone, and don't give up!!

quietspirit said...

Susan:
I'm taking mini-baby steps. I've been concentrating on my blog entries.
I have a few skit scripts written but haven't showed them to anyone.
Got to finish Resurrection Day play. It's not even Thanksgiving and I have to think about Easter.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Melanie -

Thanks! I'd say finishing your first manuscript is a pretty big deal. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jan -

Time management is a key element in achieving our goals. Thanks for reminding us of this important step.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Heather -

Ooo, that sounds intriguing! I can't wait to hear about these big steps. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Maria -

Awesome! I like getting "yes, you may," answers to my requests.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Cathy -

Thanks for the encouragement. You're absolutely right. Every step counts.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Quiet Spirit -

I know what you mean about working on something in advance. I recently found a song for our Resurrection Day sign language special.

The main thing is you're writing. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Jemi Fraser said...

Great post! I agree - we've got to focus on those baby steps!

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

Big steps for me, but they had nothing to do with writing. Still, I am proud of myself!

Nancy said...

That was a great post,and quite a good analogy. Taking baby steps is always better than taking no steps at all.

I used to love playing that game. As a "runner," the anticipation of the person turning and catching us was thrilling.

Rhonda Schrock said...

Very fitting word picture! I pray and I write. I keep my eyes open for open doors, but it's exhausting to try to force them open. Am learning (well, TRYing to learn) to rest and let God and just "do the next thing." Tall order for a girl like me.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jemi -

Welcome to my corner of the blogosphere! I post here Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

As long as we're taking steps, we're making progress.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Kristen -

When you're taking steps in God's will, that's all that matters. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Nancy -

Yay! Not too many folks remember this game. It went out of fashion years ago.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Jeanette Levellie said...

Excellent post, Susie.

I listened to a cd on marketing your ministry by Elaine Miller. It gave me some new ideas and reinforced old ones.

Blogging is a great way to market your ministry!

Love
Jen

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Rhonda -

I try to be sensitive to those "God moments." Prayer is critical to the process.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jen -

Yes, blogging and other social media is a great way to promote our work and minister to others.

I haven't jumped on the Twitter bandwagon yet, but a friend dragged me kicking and screaming onto Facebook. I'm so glad she did. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Diane said...

I sent out a few query letters this week, so I'm not sure what size step that was.... :O) Keep me in prayer for God's will to take place.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Diane -

That's huge! Sending our work into the big publishing world is always a bit unnerving. Congratulations on your courage and determination!

Blessings,
Susan :)

patti said...

Wonderful post! God has been holding my hand and leading me into those giant steps!

Turning in two novels this week...one day off...and now brainstorming about #5. I just love writing for that Audience of One.
Patti

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Patti -

Whew! You're in the Big Leagues now, my friend. Congratulations!

Blessings,
Susan :)

Anonymous said...

One thing I like about my blog is that she'll publish anything I ask her too!!! But I also think a blog is like continual baby steps that show the powers-that-be all the work we do!

I also think that we can cheer on those who are getting published and help others out whenever it's in our means. If we can lift people into "published land," then maybe they'll reach back and pull us in ;-)

Kristen said...

What a great way to look at it!
Everyday it feels like I'm taking one or two baby steps as I write/rewrite parts of my novel. Just keep writing! Just keep writing:)
Thanks

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Kristen -

Yes, this is the most important step for a writer - WRITE! We can talk about it, study it, blog about it, but if we don't write, we're like one of those gerbils jogging on a wheel.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Alisa -

LOL! I love your words about how your blog will publish anything.

I agree. Part of taking steps is encouraging others and helping them achieve their publishing dreams.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Terri Tiffany said...

I'm kind of stopping and looking at where I'm at right now--and then maybe take some tiny steps soon:)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Terri -

Hope you enjoyed your time with the family. :)

We all come to places where we have to re-group. I'll pop over to your place soon.

Blessings,
Susan

rashid1891 said...

God bless you, too, Brandon! It is very important to underscore the fact that LGBT people are in no way abnormal, and are in no way sinners any more than Straight people are sinners! Any ally of LGBT people must not fall into the trap of believing that LGBT people are sinners who are loved by God and must be accepted by Straight people.

Nancy said...

Susan - Oh,I remember. I'm trying to bring some of the old fun back to today's kids.