I have done an insane, crazy, ridiculous, thing. I have committed myself to write a book in one month. It will be a picture book.
Do I hear someone saying, "Hey, what's so hard about writing a picture book. I bet I could do that in a month, probably less."
Just because there are fewer words in a picture book, everyone and his uncle thinks they can write one. Unless the entire text comes to you in a dream in the middle of the night, you will find it a real challenge to write a GOOD story with so few words (I'd be careful of those dream texts. They may not make as much sense in the daylight).
First, I have to research what publisher I am going to target (I had planned on doing that this weekend but nursing my sick husband superseded research). Then I will write my book based on what they publish. Did you know all that had to be done before you ever began writing?
Why would I subject myself to such a daunting task? To grow. Growth takes stretching myself, going beyond what I think I can do.
Growth isn't easy. For some it is downright misery. Yet, all of us need to grow. We all need to get out of the little box we have created for ourselves, the place we feel safe and comfortable.
Some women have the same hairdo they had in 1960. Some people eat the same meal every time they go out (I fight this one. I worry the new dish won't taste as good as the one I usually order!). Some people even sit in the same pew at church for years on end.
So, I'm going to try and grow a little this month. Maybe I'll get my picture book done, maybe not. But, at least I will have tried. Want to join me?
I don't mean you have to write a picture book. Just stretch yourself in some area. Change your hairdo. Eat something different at the restaurant. Sit in a different seat at church. Hey, go crazy and do several things that will stretch you. After all, you have a whole month.
As you stretch yourself this month, you will develop stretch marks. Not those ugly ones we get when we're pregnant. These stretch marks will look GOOD. They will be a sign you have developed as a person. Won't that be cool!
Hoping to see some stretch marks at the end of the month, Gloria
4 comments:
I'm so glad you're going to meet the challenge and write a brand new picture book this month, Gloria! Hip, hip, hooray! And I'm going to take the challenge and try something new, too...I'll put my thinking cap on and see what strikes my fancy. Hoping to see the stretch marks, too!
-Nancy
Didn't those PE teachers say it was always good to stretch before exercise? What a great way to strengthen our brain muscles! Looking forward to seeing your results!
True, Catherine. But, just like physical stretching, mind stretching seems to be more difficult as we age! Maybe refusing to stretch both ways, no matter how difficult, is the reason some age quicker than others!
Nancy, who would have thought stretch marks could be considered pretty!!!
Gloria
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