While reading a historical fiction book, the thought occurred to me that I could write something like that. Now, I’ve written dozens of nonfiction books but never a novel. For me this would be a novel experience! (Sorry, couldn’t resist that pun.) But could I do it? As I plunged into the project, I discovered that it was exhilarating. I would become so wrapped up in the imagined people and events that when I “came to” I didn’t know if it was morning, afternoon, or night. I managed to finish the novel last week, in time for entering a contest with a January 31 deadline. This contest had 600-plus entries last year, so the odds are against me. Yet even if I don’t win, even if the book never gets published, the process was worth it.
Daring to do something new adds spice to our lives, and accomplishing it leads to a great sense of self-satisfaction. Looking over my life, I’m most proud of new things I tried, for example, ushering at Severance for the Cleveland Orchestra, cooking a meal for many people, and traveling to Arabia to speak. They also made me happy. I look to the Holy Spirit to give me the courage and the intelligence to carry out what he inspires me to do.
This month’s Reader’s Digest offers this quotation from Danny Kaye: “Life is like a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can.” I think that sometimes we don’t realize the many colors of paint that are on our palettes. When we do the same things the same way every day, life may be very comfortable but it’s rather boring, all dull gray. We live more fully and also tap into our potential by adopting a new hobby, going on a new adventure, volunteering in a new way, learning a new skill, mastering a new language, trying a new recipe, or acquiring a new friend. Making this a truly “new” year will motivate us to get out of bed in the morning, brighten our days, make us more interesting persons, and give us something to talk about, or blog about! Hmmm. What can I tackle next? Skydiving?
What new thing has added sparkle to your life? What new thing could?
4 Responses
I salute you!!! I have been carrying around notes for a book for several years now. Just can’t seem to make myself sit down and write……
Good luck with your dream….
Thanks for your good wishes. Long ago I heard that the secret to writing is simply to apply the seat of your pants to the seat of your chair!
Kathleen, you are an inspiration. Would love to read your novel. Good luck in the competition.
I hope someday you will be able to read it! Thanks for the encouragement, Susan.