This morning I sat down and gave myself the gift of a few minutes of quiet meditation. I ended my brief meditation practice with my daily (okay, weekly or maybe bi-weekly) affirmations.
During these affirmations I express my gratitude for my career as a writer, and all that means to me, as if it is in the present. Something that has already taken place. Not a thing to be wished or hoped for.
When I was done, the first thing I did was check my email for the next lesson in Jeff Goins’ 15 Habits of Great Writers challenge. Today’s challenge was to believe in yourself. This made me smile. Not because I felt it was something I’d already mastered, but because I’d gotten a head start on it for the day.
Of course, sitting on your balcony with your eyes closed believing you’re a writer is one thing. Living everyday in a manner which demonstrates that belief seeps from your very pores is quite another. This requires elevating the importance of your work as a writer to yourself while also impressing it upon the people around you. Because if you don’t believe in yourself and in your work, you certainly won’t be able to convince an agent, a publisher or readers to do so.
As evidence of that belief and of my commitment to my craft, tomorrow I will arise two hours earlier than usual. Not to workout (I’ll do that later in yoga). Not to check email, read blogs or my Facebook timeline. To write for two glorious, undisturbed hours. Just me and my work in progress.
Why?
Because I am a writer. Because I believe my craft deserves the best two hours of my day. When my mind is fresh, unencumbered, ready to create.
As I read Jeff’s admonition this morning – “You’re a writer. Not because I say so, but because you do. Start believing it.” – there was something so familiar about it. The reason for this feeling of deja vu didn’t come to me until I sat down to write this post. It reminded me of the song Glenda the Good Witch (portrayed by the late, great Lena Horne) sang to Dorothy (played by Diana Ross) in The Wiz. It is when she tells Dorothy that she has always possessed the courage she’s needed to accomplish her goal, but first she must believe in herself.
It is a reminder that every writer could use now and again. So I leave you with Ms. Horne’s admonition to believe in yourself.
Photo courtesy of OP Photography.
Roxanne Ravenel (263 Posts)Roxanne is a freelance journalist and novelist living in North Carolina. Her alter ego, Reese Ryan, writes smart, spicy fiction populated by deliciously flawed, multicultural characters living in the Midwest and Southeast. Her debut novel, TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, will be published by Carina Press July 22, 2013. She is Managing Editor of the long-running e-zine, All Things Girl.
Roxanne Ravenel (263 Posts)Roxanne is a freelance journalist and novelist living in North Carolina. Her alter ego, Reese Ryan, writes smart, spicy fiction populated by deliciously flawed, multicultural characters living in the Midwest and Southeast. Her debut novel, TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, will be published by Carina Press July 22, 2013. She is Managing Editor of the long-running e-zine, All Things Girl.
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I’m dying to hear how the writing session went! You are such an inspiration and I love that you’ve begun writing regularly here where I can read your thoughts (and can’t wait to read your WIP when it’s finished!)
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