Inspiration
Posted by Lynne Griffin
Tethered is in bookstores, you can order it online. Amy's words are dressed in their Sunday best, her flap jacket stunning in gold, green, and black. Advertisements are appearing in papers, announcing its arrival. Interviews are posted on blogs. Readers are beginning to weigh in on her creation.
Over the last few days I've felt a bit like a sister watching her sibling show off her new baby. I've held back a few tears when family members openly gushed about her accomplishment with genuine love. When she opened her copy of Tethered and eloquently read those haunting first lines to a crowd leaning in to savor her prose, I felt proud. And when the crowd jockeyed for a turn at congratulating her as she began to sign personalized copies, I smiled.
Amy's baby is out in the world. She's the one that endured the labor pains of writing a first draft, submitting pages to three virtual strangers three years ago, and then revising it until she was certain it was her best work. She tackled the agent search like no one I've ever known and she didn't quit when she was asked to edit once more. So why am I so over the moon?
Because Amy is an inspiration, and her novel a testament to the power of commitment. She does not have a published novel because she is lucky or because she spent her time wishing it were so. She believes in the beauty and sway of language. She set her sights on a big dream and then did whatever she could to make it a reality. She's still dedicated to doing whatever it takes to get her book to readers.
The word sister is defined as a woman who is closely allied to another, as in the same faith, society, or community. How lucky I am to have added not one, but three very talented and generous sisters to my family. It's Amy's time now, and I know I speak for all of us at the writers' group when I say we wish Amy the best on her journey. Lisa's and Hannah's time will come soon.
Your time will come too, if you embrace our philosophy.
Learn craft.
Persevere.
Think positively.
Support others.
And dream.
8 comments:
Yes!!!!
Congrats on the debut! And thank you for very realistic words of wisdom and encouragement.
Congratulations. It's a HUGE accomplishment.
And perseverance?
it's the key...
(also coffee...lots and lots of coffee)
Carleen, Suzanne and Pat,
Thanks for well-wishes sent to Amy! Perseverance and coffee may well be the recipe for success.
Lynne
Thanks, all! What a joy to share it all with you. It's the litte guy's victory. I'm with Churchill: Never give in. Never give in. Never, ever, never give in.
Churchill, huh? I learned that lesson, Amy, from The Little Engine That Could...and have a feeling you did too. ;)
Your philosophy says so much about your group and your outlook not only on the creative and publishing processes, but on life. Kudos all around! K.
Lynne,
This post was so beautifully written. I can see that you put your whole heart into it. Amy may not be "lucky" to be published, but she sure is fortunate to have found such a supportive writing circle. Your description of the Writer's Group sisterhood seems so fitting, especially for a week like this. Congrats to all of you. You truly help keep the rest of us on the right page in our own writing journeys.
Post a Comment