The other day I was feeling down. Sometimes that brings out memories long buried. Specifically, I was down about not having the "best tools" available. I am unable to afford a new PC, the new Photoshop, or the new Poser I so desire. What I do have available isn't extremely outdated, but it does have some missing bells and whistles.
Then I remembered a similar incident when I was younger. I think about 8. I was bemoaning not having something for a picture and my mom sat me down. She reminded me that the award medal I loved to play with was something she won in a contest when she was about eight herself. She had to draw some form of picture; the details are fuzzy, but her words remain clear. "I won that medal for my work and I had to use whatever crayons and markers I had when everyone else got new art supplies. It is not always having the best supplies that makes you a viable contender--it is how hard you work with what you have."
Who would have thought a mother's wisdom would continue on like that many years later. It cheered me up. Then I also applied it to my current project--my books. I realized why I kept in the shadows so long. I am afraid what I was able to craft won't win the awards of sales and followers.
I think a lot of authors are afraid of this. I try to compare my writing to other things that seem to be successful-especially if I am feeling unsuccessful. I think maybe it is time to stop doing that.
I have been told by others that my books are good. They are currently the most polished they have ever been and I am super proud of having them all bound under one title in paper. I am also equally excited to be writing installment 5.
The morale of the story? The next time you are feeling down try to remember some of the sage advice you received in your youth. It might just be what you need.
PS-- Happy Mother's Day Weekend