Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer's Support Group gives bloggers a monthly chance to express their concerns, worries,
and insecurities without fear of reprisal. It's a
seriously big group now, and with well over 300 participants, it shows
no signs of slowing down! I'd like to thank Alex for keeping this group
going for so long, as it has proved wonderful in the supporting of
fellow authors and the revealing of needed and sound advice.Without further ado, here's what's been on my mind lately ...
* * *
Ever been to one of those buffet restaurants where the variety is so huge, you can't possibly sample everything (I love those places!)? Then again, you may not want to sample everything - shellfish and certain dishes that include baked beans will prove detrimental to my beauty sleep. But then, a few items show up on my plate that I don't recall putting there, and the establishment (who I will fondly refer to here as The Universe), puts his foot down and says,"Nope! You gotta lick that plate clean, boy!" Just as I'd expect from Chuck-O-Rama.
I ate what I could. I filled up fast (darn you, freshly-baked rolls and honey butter!), but there was so much left and I wasn't allow to take it home in a doggy bag. I either had to finish what I had right in front of me or leave the place and suffer the cold stairs of servers and fellow paying customers that could be easily interpreted as, "The nerve of that guy! Doesn't he know people are starving in Africa?"
In this instance, it's the (perceived) cold stares I'm sensing.
But then I was recently reminded of a book, one I had read some time ago called Bird By Bird. Perhaps you've heard of it? It all started with the author's younger brother who had a report on birds due the next day. When the task seemed impossible, the father said, "Bird by bird, Buddy. Just take it bird by bird." In my case, take it side by side, portion by portion, main course by main course, bite by bite.
Be it multiple hiatuses, reviewing old material, or static, directionless blogging, I haven't been fulfilling this blog's mission statement of This place is dedicated to bringing you the latest and best of all things sci-fi and fantasy. I could list everything on my plate ... but I won't, because the time for making excuses is over. It's time to writer-up!
Besides - demand isn't bad. Never have I been asked to do so much in the writing community as I am now, and I am totally grateful for being able to lend a hand. My invitation to you is to never hesitate. I'm always here for ya! Let me know about your book if you want me to shout it out, and expect fresher content on here, henceforth!
My plate may never be clean, and that means I'll never go hungry.
Ever feel like there's way too much going on in your life? How do you manage what's on your plate? Ever read Bird By Bird?
I'm David, and "come now ... don't be shy ..."
But then I was recently reminded of a book, one I had read some time ago called Bird By Bird. Perhaps you've heard of it? It all started with the author's younger brother who had a report on birds due the next day. When the task seemed impossible, the father said, "Bird by bird, Buddy. Just take it bird by bird." In my case, take it side by side, portion by portion, main course by main course, bite by bite.
Be it multiple hiatuses, reviewing old material, or static, directionless blogging, I haven't been fulfilling this blog's mission statement of This place is dedicated to bringing you the latest and best of all things sci-fi and fantasy. I could list everything on my plate ... but I won't, because the time for making excuses is over. It's time to writer-up!
Besides - demand isn't bad. Never have I been asked to do so much in the writing community as I am now, and I am totally grateful for being able to lend a hand. My invitation to you is to never hesitate. I'm always here for ya! Let me know about your book if you want me to shout it out, and expect fresher content on here, henceforth!
My plate may never be clean, and that means I'll never go hungry.
Ever feel like there's way too much going on in your life? How do you manage what's on your plate? Ever read Bird By Bird?
I'm David, and "come now ... don't be shy ..."
There's a plate under all that food? I've never seen it.
ReplyDeleteIt's the corny line from Spiderman - with great powers comes great responsibility. It's why I keep blogging, continue the Ninja News, continue the IWSG - and today launch the official website. (And oh yeah, there are book releases in between all that.)
But little by little, we can accomplish what matters most!
If it's all the same, I'm just going to keep watching that new Hobbit trailer for a while to keep my mind off things.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSigh-- try, try again:
ReplyDeleteOh David, I'm always taking on more and more with an eye on the bigger picture. I'm hoping all these little writing gigs I tackle now, will help me towards the bigger goal I hope to start in on in a year or so. And so "yes" is common in my vocabulary. It's exciting and distracting. I like "get my writer on"!
Don't we all do it? Eat more than we should because it's offered and take on more projects than we can handle.
ReplyDeleteWe need to listen to our common sense side.
I love your expression, "It's time to writer-up." I'm going to remember that when I'm feeling discouraged or overwhelmed.
ReplyDeleteElsie
My plate is overflowing 98% of the time and I usually eat until I run out of breath... figuratively. We all think you're awesome David and we know you have great things in store for us. Keep on chuggin' :)
ReplyDeleteI'm actually sick of Chuck o'Rama. I visit my parents four times a year and it's the only restaurant we go to in the four days or so that I'm there. So it's like sixteen trips to Chuck o'Rama per year and that just makes me hate the place.
ReplyDeleteI think I've been in such buffet restaurants and I am also there in life terms. It's always a good thing to remember, to handle it "bird by bird". Didn't read the book, but I know what you mean. He who does what he can, does what he must.
ReplyDeleteBusy people get things done though. (As I have long since discovered.) The more on your plate, the more you will accomplish.
ReplyDeleteBuffets are a waste for me. I don't eat enough. They are not designed with little elfin people like myself in mind.
"My plate may never be clean, and that means I'll never go hungry." I love that. What a positive outlook. You're awesome.
ReplyDelete"It's time to writer-up!" Love it, and I feel the same way. It's definitely a step by step process. I'm trying to get back into blogging, finish my book, try to publish poetry, etc. It can be overwhelming if you look at everything all at once.
ReplyDeleteAlways be grateful that something is happening. I remember when I was in a situation with nothing and it SUCKED.
ReplyDeleteI really like the comparison of the buffet to life. I know that when I am in a really good buffet it all can be overwhelming. So many things I want to try and my stomach is definitely limited capacity. So, I try to choose that which I believe I will like best. Quality over quantity.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are already doing so much (more than you have ever done in the past), but you are still struggling with quality and quantity. Never fear, so are we all. If you take each thing Bite by Bite, evaluating for quality as you go, I am quite certain you will get the result you want.
BTW, that trailer was AMAZING.
Word by word. One thing at a time we can make great things come to pass. Good luck with the full plate. It's a challenge, but it's so much better than being empty and alone.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great way to think about your plate never being empty, but never being hungry. I really appreciate everything you do to help others. You've the cosmic David! :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE the new trailer for the Hobbit! Super excited to hear Benedict Cumberbatch do the voice of Smaug. :)
Love the line, :"My plate may never be empty, and that means I'll never go hungry." It is a good problem to have or at least there are worse things. Can't wait to see what you have in store.
ReplyDeleteSome people say don't bite off more than you can chew. There's another way of looking at it - taking on more challenges actually pushes you to reach greater heights and allows you to test your capabilities to the max.
ReplyDeleteThose buffet spreads, with an assortment of different dishes that seem to extend for miles on end, are quite intimidating to look at!
"... people are starving in Africa." That one made me smile. There are also lots of people who are wasteful this side of the world...
Great analogy there, though I'm a little hungry now. I love that trailer, I can't wait to see the next Hobbit film!
ReplyDeleteFreshly baked rolls and honey butter is always my downfall, too.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have read Bird By Bird—it's a fantastic book. A must read for any writer.
It can be hard to keep the balance, with lots of demands on your attention. But I know I'm the kind of person who thrives on having a lot to do, so I definitely go by the 'bird by bird' approach.
ReplyDeleteAlso, LOVE the new trailer - can't wait to watch the film!
Hmm, I haven't heard of Bird by Bird, sounds insightful. That was great advice from the dad.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love this: "It's time to writer-up" :D
My eyes are often bigger than my stomach! I'm sure there are fewer hours in the day than there used to be!
ReplyDeleteHi! Nice to meet you and your blog. Oh boy, sci-fi and fantasy, my faves. :) I did read BIRD BY BIRD back in the 1990s when I first started writing in earnest. Great book. Funny you should mention buffets...am going to one tonight for someone's birthday party/dinner. Ha.
ReplyDeleteThere is always more food to go around, and way more than I can handle. I feel like the main course is keeping me from what I really want to do - eat the dessert - but somehow I make time for both!
ReplyDeleteI got Bird by Bird for my birthday. I had this dream of lazying around in my hammock and reading it, but alas, I have not.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point. I've been whining about being so busy, but hey...it means I'm working, right? Never thought of it like that. And a big buffet is better than a small one!
Well, I'd never turn down anyone that wanted to talk about one of my books :P
ReplyDeleteOh HELL yah!
ReplyDeleteSia of old would just grab, do and move on to the next task and keep on doing until there was nothing left then collapse into the nearest chair. Addiction to deadlines one friend called it, insanity was the term another friend declared. Another, wiser friend said, child, there is always a price to pay and if you don't slow down and take the time to rest and rebuild your energy you're not gonna like the price the piper asks. Well, she might have also said something about the price of the reaper...hmm.
Having a baby taught me some lessons on learning when to rest and that some things will be there tomorrow but your 'baby' isn't. Take the time to focus and enjoy his moments and life
I've had to learn to put what I can handle on each day's plate. Gauge what is feasible and what isn't. To ask questions like: does it really matter if this project is done today or tomorrow. That's been a hard lesson but I've learn. There are days I still misjudge the size of the plate. :-)
Sia McKye Over Coffee
Sia McKye Over Coffee
Holy cow did I need to read this today. I just clicked on my blog today for the first time in weeks. But I've made some breakthroughs in several different areas so I guess it's okay.
ReplyDeleteJust don't forget to leave room for ice cream.
I think you're amazing, DPK! Keep pushing. Your whole story is an inspiration. :D
ReplyDeleteHa! I was at that same All-You-Can-Eat Buffet last week, having the same reaction. How can I eat all this?
ReplyDeleteAnd bird by bird was exactly right. I set priorities by due date and started knocking them out in that order -- the order they were due, NOT the order in which I wanted to do them!
My plate is always overflowing. I feel it now in the midst of birthday week (3 kids in 1 week), fighting off an awful chest cold, trying to clean my house for in-law arrival for my daughter's baptism and somehow squeezing some me time and maybe even some writing into the picture. Even so, it's the joy of the season for me that's keeping me moving forward.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Bird by Bird yet, but I've heard a lot of good about it. One more thing on my toppling platter to get to:)
If my plate is overflowing, I probably slack on those things that don't matter so much. Like laundry and cleaning. It's easy to push those things aside.
ReplyDeleteI raise my glass to you sir...here's to biting off more than one can chew, and it's the best thing a writer can do. Might as well enjoy being busy, right? Also, I love the trailer for the next Hobbit:)
ReplyDeleteLove your analogy. And I feel it! Can't wait for the next Hobbit movie.
ReplyDeleteHi, David,
ReplyDeleteI never read the book, but I agree whole heartedly with it. For years I've been telling overwhelmed friends to take a breath and concentrate on one aspect at a time. Before you know it, it's done.
Becoming overwhelmed is so easy for the creative mind. LOGIC has to creep in somewhere and we MUST force it out in order to survive... One bird at a time ...
Have a great weekend David....