One Step at a Time
"The elevator to success is out of order.
You’ll have to use the stairs…one step at a time."
Joe Girard
No matter where we are on the writing journey,
we all move forward this way.
I like that.
It's encouraging, especially during
those times when nothing appears to be
happening or progress is,
as my Mom used to say,
"Slow as molasses in January."
Take heart my writer friends.
We're all getting exactly where we need to be.
One step at a time.
What steps have you taken this month?
Happy writing,
Karen
P.S. Visiting author Jen Cudmore on her blog.
If you wanted to hop over, click here.
Feel supported by your blog entry today Karen. Thank you...... yes, the words just flow as if out of a treacle jar. Slow and sticky.
ReplyDeleteI like this too. Because this is how I'm moving forward, slow steps right now.
ReplyDeleteA slow step is better than no step :)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Monday my friend!!
I needed to hear this. Thanks, Karen.
ReplyDeleteSlow is a good way to describe it. But I am writing every day and making progress.
ReplyDeleteAnita,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad! I know I need to apply this mindset - especially lately with projects and commitments pressing in. :)
Natalie,
I hear you. I think the important thing is to keep moving, right? :)
Keith,
Exactly! You enjoy your week! :)
Joylene,
Me too! Chin up, keep moving forward, right? :)
Alex,
I'd say you were on the right track! )
Happy Monday,
Karen
That's a great analogy! Yes, progress often seems slow or nonexistent.
ReplyDeleteI'd just like to know where those stairs lead to...
Signed,
The Impatient One
Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI like to think that i can use the escalator. :-)
I took longer to get going than I'd hoped but I'm actually getting words on page this month. Here's hoping it continues!
ReplyDeletemood
Moody Writing
Set small goals, little steps, that lead to the top. Eventually you'll get there.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen! I do like that image of the stairs. It makes me feel like I'm getting somewhere, no matter how slowly! This month I am working on writing pieces that are about 1000 words. It's a stretch, as I am used to the shorter blog posts. But I don't want to be self-limiting. It's a struggle. But I'll get there...one step at a time.
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday,
Ceil
Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteMe too some days! But we'll get there, and sometimes I wonder if it's better we don't have the whole picture, you know? :)
David,
LOL - yeah well, me too! With some things maybe we can, right? :)
Mood,
Hooray for you! Cheering you on! Keep us posted, okay? (After the writing is done of course. Don't want to hamper progress.) :)
Diane,
Yes, I think you are right! We always do! :)
Happy writing,
Karen
Ceil,
ReplyDeleteI do too. It really helps to feel like you are making some progress, even a bit, doesn't it? :) Rooting for you in this writing "stretch"!
Blessings,
Karen
So true! We can take a step at a time and it might seem slow some days, but after a while when we look back we see how far we have come. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
YAY! Yes! stwp by step...
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletemy book proposal is as done as it's going to get, and I'm hesitating sending it to a credible person in writing/editing (who's willing to look at it), and I don't know why. Can you explain that?
ReplyDeleteSo true. Often people try to go to fast that they end up failing.
ReplyDeleteJess,
ReplyDeleteI know. I really think it helps to adapt a big picture mentality to help us gain a better perspective. :)
Dawn,
And one day at a time! As long as we have a mindset that we are moving forward, right? :)
Mare,
Congrats on the proposal! Cheering you on for the next stage! :)
Lady Lilith,
Yes, I think you are right. Kind of reminds me of the old saying "Haste makes waste." Slow and steady is often the best way to go. :)
Blessings,
Karen
Thank you, dear sister, for this encouragement--exactly what I needed to read at this moment in my life.
ReplyDeleteStarting a Christmas novella with a friend in the midst of moving my mom here from Calif seems a bit crazy to me, but we decided not to impose any deadines on ourselves--we are just going to have fun with it! One step at at time...
Hugs and thanks,
Jen
My WIP just hit 25,000 so I figure I'm about a quarter of the way through. 500 words a day is my target and on the days that I just can't make it happen, I still spend time editing to stay intimate with my characters. So far it seems to be working! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the powerful simplicity of this post. I'm taking steps: revising, writing a query, submitting a poem, sending 3 queries, changing the tense of an early rough draft. I hope these steps are leading upward and not in circles!
ReplyDeleteGood luck taking your steps, Karen.
Jen,
ReplyDeleteSo glad this is an encouragement. It is to me too. :) You have much on your plate, that's for sure. Praying for you.
Lisa,
Congrats on your progress! You are an inspiration. Cheering you on! :)
Theresa,
This quote struck a chord with me when I saw it. I think this can be something to spur us on. Good for you on your progress! I'd say that's moving forward! :)
Happy writing,
Karen
This poem has a very supportive voice. I have seriously begun searching for markets for my work.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to remember sometimes that the good things come slowly. Short and to the point, Karen! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen .. love your mother's saying for January ... "Slow as Molasses in January" .. great expression! Thankfully February's here .. but we're still frozen in time ... actually we're puddled in time or stormed out ... dreadful weather ... but it's mild - which makes a change from the last two years ...
ReplyDeleteDefinitely one step forward and rising ... I am doing that as I finally sort and clear and create some space .. cheers Hilary
Cecelia,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you think so. I think we all need encouragement to keep going, you know? Best wishes with the market search! :)
Susan,
Yes, we live in such an instant society in so many ways, it can be hard to wait! :) Thanks a bunch.
Hilary,
I know, she always used that phrase and it stuck with me after all these years. :) She said many other phrases too. Perhaps I'll share them someday in a post.
Happy writing,
Karen
One step at a time. Yes. But sometimes it seems my feet are stuck in that molasses, amigo. *sigh* The querying road gets heavy some days. :-) I did write a new picture book story today.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this, Karen. Goals seem so far off in the distance at times, that it's good to remember every step we take trims that distance down more and more. Your short-and-sweet post is encouraging. :-)
ReplyDeleteBe well.
This is a really great post that inspired me. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
Very inspiring. It is tough to keep going but well worth it when you finally get that contract! It took me almost 20 years--most people get there much more quickly!
ReplyDeleteOne step at a time. The only way to go.
ReplyDeleteRobyn,
ReplyDeleteI think that the molasses can be part of it too, you know? Something to learn in every stage, no matter how slow, I'm thinking. :) Hooray for the picture book!
Gina,
I'm so glad! You are welcome! :)
Stephanie,
Congrats on the contract! All part of the journey, no matter how long it takes us, I think. :)
Lynda,
Yes, I think you are right. And we learn so much on the way! :)
Blessings,
Karen
I'm taking steps. I like the slow journey up. I don't think I can handle the writing process in a swift manner, especially when I know what goes into it.
ReplyDeleteOne step at a time is right! Love that quote.
ReplyDeleteMedeia,
ReplyDeleteI hear you. And if someone had told me all the particulars before I started, well, I think I still would have. It is a good journey even with all the challenges. :)
Lydia,
That's all we can do, A good thing, I'm thinking! :)
Happy weekend,
Karen
Love this!! And good to remember. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm showing up and writing whether I feel like it or not.
ReplyDeleteLove this post, Karen! I'm on the revision staircase right now (and I've found myself back here a number of times!)
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteMe too! It is good to remember, you're right. :)
Susan,
This is true. Some days carry more inspiration than others. :)
Ruth,
Wishing you well with your revisions! Keep looking up! :)
Blessings,
Karen
One step at a time. I like that.
ReplyDeleteSandi,
ReplyDeleteMe too! Something I must remember often. :)
Happy writing,
Karen