Jan 28 2009
So, get busy already…!
Pre-Ramble: From the title, you might think this is another iteration of the last blog, scolding the folks on Capitol Hill for rushing to judgement on President Obama’s pace of play. While I could easily muster up another several paragraphs on that, you would soon come to realize that it would just be another stall tactic.
I want to write a book. I’ve been churning ideas around for a couple of years now. I know what I want to say, and sift through the thoughts in my head all day long. Usually, I am rescued from having to actually write the book by the onset of paying work or some other cleverly-disguised imperative - one of my clients will toss a new project over the transom, a volunteer commitment will require my attention, we’ve run out of food, or my dog will need a walk. My sock drawer has never been so organized.
I have literally piles of research and notes, a line-up of three-ring binders filled with reference documents, snippets of paper covered with random thoughts, folders bulging with inspirational photos and drawings, and a shelf lined with books that capture my fancy for one reason or another. These books represent the work of some first-rate thinkers – Twyla Tharp, Guy Kawasaki, Lewis Carroll, Howard Gardner, Tom Kelly, Tim Berners-Lee, Gordon McKenzie, Barack Obama, Esther Dyson, Daniel Pink, Nina Garcia (she totally gets fashion…), Nicholas Negroponte, Julia Cameron, Allisn Fine, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Malcolm Gladwell, Anne Lamott, Thomas Friedman, Wayne Dyer, etc. - and, they inspire me to think about the world in new and different ways.
These books also taunt me daily. They thumb their spines at me – “Nah-nah, weeeee’ve written and published meaningful and highly successful books and yooooou haven’t!!”
That’s so immature.
The Take-Away: The obvious solution here is, drop those socks and start writing. Maybe all I need is a little encouragement from the Universe,…“Come on Kath, get busy!… You go girl!… You can do it!!” … Or, maybe what I need is a reality check from the Universal Inner Saboteur, “Don’t do it!… You stop girl!… Pleeease don’t write a book… what are you thinking?… your writing totally sucks!…”
Ha! That Inner Saboteur is a wily one. Fortunately for me, I earned a black-belt in the art of denial long ago and I have friends who are willing to lie to me, if they think that will make me happy. I guess, until the septic system backs up or I get a hang-nail or something, I’ve no alternative but to forge ahead with the book and see where it goes.
Thanks for listening.
Post Note: The image above right is from the portfolio of illustrator John S. Dykes. I’m hoping that he will be available to do some illustrations for the book – I love his work and he clearly gets what I’m up against.
We have talked about this book for a long time and I am excited to read it! I support your “put down the socks” intentions, get writing. I’m waiting to put my two cents in about draft one :>
That darn saboteur! There can be nothing more stifling than an inner voice that says, “forget about greatness. It’s meant for someone else.” BAH! Why not you and why not now? Easier said than done, I realize but a critical first step is to realize that most of our barriers are erected in our own mind. On with it, Ye!
I am not sure what this whole 21st century thing is about yet and so i have not decided whether or not to join up or not. This is my first blog and i have to say that i burst out laffing (kirk’s spelling not mine). I am a very accomplished comedian and so to get me to smile is a sign of real talent and to bust me up…. KEEP WRITING and i’ll keep reading. Is this what you wanted
Mark – thanks so much for your note – you’re my first Aussie! And, having read some of your communications over the years, I dare say, if there was anyone who should have his own blog, it’s you!
Most writers of note approach it as a job… a set starting and stopping time every day. It is the priority. Good Luck!