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Comment by Julie Luek on December 9, 2012 at 3:18pm

Hi Sionan--thanks for reading.

Comment by Shannon Vest on December 9, 2012 at 11:49am

Thank you for sharing this. :)

Comment by Julie Luek on December 5, 2012 at 10:55am

To everyone who has commented-- I love the comments and the willingness to share our stories and our journeys together. I love the thoughts from those who are a bit ahead of where some of us are, and the vulnerability of others, who like me, are taking tentative steps. What a fantastic community we are creating. I have to tell you all, I'm fired up for future posts and conversations. Thank you for creating the dialogue!

Comment by Kathryn Meyer Griffith on December 5, 2012 at 9:58am

Yes, it's the journey. It's the years accumulated....the stories written, the rejections received, the triumphs recorded, the published and the unpublished works that make a writer's life. And you learn as you go. Do not be afraid. I look back over the 40 years of my writing career and am aghast at all I have been through and learned. It's been a fantastic ride. Many ups and downs. Disappointments, and victories that meant more because of the disappointments. A writer lives a writer's life. Today I'm working on my 17th novel, inbetween all the other things that now make up my writing life, all so different than when I started writing in 1971...promoting, sharing my knowledge with other established and new writers, joining in group discussions and trying to stay abreast on all the new tech developments that help me be a writer. I'm on Facebook, and many of the other social sites, but I still don't tweet. Grin. I just self-published for the first time (book #16) and learned so much. There's never enough time in the day. Those out there just starting their amazing journey...good luck and remember never give up. The years go so swiftly and, at least, do what you love so you can look back someday and smile, knowing you did what the world had called you to do. Write. It's not always easy. And to those writers, artists, like me who have been in the game a long time...bravo! You stuck it out. You've made it. Whether you have had one or 30 books published. You are a writer. You were true to yourself. Kathryn Meyer Griffith

Comment by Cheryl Roshak on December 5, 2012 at 9:39am

Pamela, an actor does not perform to an empty theatre. A painter does not hide his paintings in closets for no one to see. A writer may write for the sheer love of writing and exploring his subject matter or theme, to express herself, or for whatever reason drives the writer, or musician to practice or write a score. I agree in part with you and being published is not the end all in writing. Many great artists recognized today were scorned or anonymous in their own time, but persevere they did. Perhaps 'glory' was the wrong word to use. I only meant it as an accomplishment of sorts, of being recognized by your peers. Of course there's a lot of crap that gets published that befuddles the mind. Some are smoother operators or better marketers or what have you. But I believe each of us knows deep inside what our challenge is and what it is that we wish to achieve and communicate through our writings and will not be satisfied until we get there, on our own terms, whatever else anyone says about our work. But having the pebble to validate our efforts can be quite a comfort at times, and at others, as you say, intimidating. As the saying goes, "You're only as good as your last movie." Does one really want to be known as a one book author?  And then there are those who are so prolific that it too boggles the mind. I, for one, have been intimidated thus far in sending out my work. I think I'm reaching a point, however, where I'm beginning to feel more confident and willing to risk rejection. Unless you put yourself on the line how will you ever know?

Comment by Julie Luek on December 5, 2012 at 9:18am

Pamela-- I think you're spot-on.  Sounds like a good topic for another post! I'm writing your thoughts down.

Comment by Pamela Olson on December 5, 2012 at 8:59am

Also, we need to be mindful of how we define "glory." Is it getting published? Or is it the act of doing -- and sharing -- our best work, day to day? Anne Lamott said that getting a book published is like having a little stone in your pocket, something real that you can touch now and then for comfort.

But guess what? Even if you have published a book, you can't spend all day just touching your stone. Every day the blank page still waits. Every day you still have to get down to the process of learning, observing, writing, sharing. Whether you have a stone in your pocket or not.

As the monk said, "Before enlightenment: chop wood and carry water. After enlightenment: chop wood and carry water."

Same goes for publication. (I'm trying to remind myself of this, since I'm almost as intimidated about writing my second book as I was about writing my first. The first time I had no idea what I was getting into. This time I know exactly what I'm getting into!)

Comment by Cheryl Roshak on December 5, 2012 at 5:43am

Thank you, Julie. Perhaps there is courage in numbers and together we can allay our fears and push toward glory! I look forward in getting to know you!!

Comment by Julie Luek on December 5, 2012 at 5:31am

Cheryl-- your response struck a chord with me. It is so scary. I have that small voice inside me that tells me getting published is a one in a million shot...so many try, and yet... But, bottom line, what do we have to lose? I hope you'll continue to be a part of this conversation. I have a feeling you and I can help each other with courage. Thanks so much for your poignant comment.

Comment by Cheryl Roshak on December 5, 2012 at 3:36am

Julie, thank you for such an inspiring post. For as much writing as I have done over the past twelve years or more, the many workshops I've taken, the life altering changes I've made to allow more time to write, such as changing careers, what I realize from reading your story is that I'm still standing on the edge of the abyss. I have yet to make the real leap, perhaps have only come closer to the edge, but still frightened of taking myself and my writing seriously. Those internal gremlins still chatter away inside my head undermining my confidence as a writer, telling me I'm not really good enough or how could I think anyone would read what I write. You have given me insight and courage. I agree, also, that's it's a journey, sometimes exhilarating, sometimes painful, often filled with self doubt, but write I must. Nothing gives me more pleasure or takes me out of myself into another realm of being.

For all that I have written, the many poems I struggle with, the short-stories, the memoir and essays I've written, I have yet to send anything out to a literary magazine to see if they might publish something of mine. I tell myself I''m not quite there yet. When I am  good enough I will. I think that's an excuse now that hides my fear of rejection. Wow, you really struck a chord in me and I thank you. All the best to you.

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