Also in the spirit of full disclosure for those of you keeping track, I only achieved 2 of the 5 writing goals I set this week.
In a moment I think you'll understand why.
Or at least it can pay off when applied properly. In my case I did not apply it to my writing, thus only completing 2 of my 5 writing goals this week.
The lesson of perseverance should come as no surprise, especially if you're a writer. Writers are told time and again that perseverance is essential. In fact, in a ten minute Web search, I found about a hundred "perseverance" quotes from famous writers about writing. |
that's the moment you may be starting to get it right." Neil Gaiman
I sure don't like feeling (or being) naked in public, but "getting it right" as a writer is what I live for. It's right up there with family and coffee. It's what I strive for each time I sit down to work on a manuscript. Which brings us to:
Lesson Part Two: TO WRITE THE GOOD STUFF, YOU MUST EXPOSE YOURSELF
Of course I'm talking about feeling vulnerable and exposed due to putting authentic, personal thoughts, emotions and fears on the page, so don't take this as license to become a flasher.
And finally, the Finding Nemo connection.
As I slogged bleary-eyed through multiple phone mazes in Swedish (which I don't speak), and then later as I searched the Web (in English) for writing quotes about perseverance, I kept hearing this little voice in the back of my head.
Lesson Part 1 + Lesson Part 2 =
TO WRITE THE GOOD STUFF, YOU MUST EXPOSE YOURSELF OVER AND OVER
-- JUST KEEP SWIMMING, JUST KEEP SWIMMING --
AND IF YOU'RE FEELING NAKED, NEIL GAIMAN SAYS YOU MAY BE STARTING TO GET IT RIGHT
Which is a really wordy lesson to carry around in your writer's toolbox. Believe me, I tried.
So I hope you'll forgive me the somewhat misleading headline "Skinny-dipping with Neil Gaiman" and allow that it's a much pithier (and easier to hum) mantra.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm swimming my naked self over to my manuscript -- I'm down by 3 goals, and I'm determined not to let the Swedish Embassy team win this one.