On Friday the lovely Sarah blogged about inspiration coming from unlikely places and it got me thinking about my journey as a writer. I’m somewhat of a timid person (ahem). I’m a quiet observer for the most part, not someone who enjoys being the center of attention. Yet I’ve gone out of my way to write stories—stories written from my very own heart and soul for the world to read, judge, and hopefully enjoy. To get there I faced multiple rejections, entered my work in contests, braved good and bad feedback, and ultimately put my neck on the line like I’ve never done before. Ever.

What really inspired this ambition? And what kept me going despite all the heartache that comes along with the Yellow Brick Road to Publication?

There were so many occasions in the beginning where I doubted myself. How could I, a simple stay-at-home mother of four, become a published author?

It wasn’t until someone asked me “why not?” that I started questioning my doubts. I tried to come up with excuses as to why this dream will never happen for me. I whipped out the tears and had a grand ole pity party. Why not?? I’ll tell you why not…

Until I realized my excuses were really lame. Every one of them. My own self-defeating behavior was the real culprit. If I wanted to attempt this journey then what or who could stop me? I’d discovered a passion in me and it couldn’t be contained. I wanted to write stories and I wanted people to read them. It was simple enough.

So I searched for more inspiration. I needed proof that I could do this, something tangible that I could look at day after day. And I came across a quote that literally changed my way of thinking. A quote! Can you believe that? It truly inspired me to get off the pity-party wagon and persevere. If I wanted to be a writer, then I’d be a writer, damn it.

Here’s the quote that I found and have hung on the wall by my computer:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.  Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves in too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

I’d thought that this quotation was from Goethe but on further research I found out that it’s actually only partly by him. You can read more about it here: http://www.goethesociety.org/pages/quotescom.html

Talk about inspiration from an unlikely place. I can’t say this was the only thing that pushed me. I was also lucky enough to have a support system of fabulous friends and family. But sometimes it takes a little extra something to make you go aha! Know what I mean?

So tell me about something that you helped you get to that aha! moment? Or what’s holding you back from getting there? Come one, I want to hear some really lame excuses!

Viola

www.violaestrella.com