I can’t remember where I saw it, but somewhere, I read, “The two most powerful words are ‘Start now.’” Make the flip books, send more applications if that’s what you want to do. Just keep at it. When you look back at all you’ve accomplished, just that will bring you a sense of satisfaction knowing that you gave it your best shot.
In 2024, I plan to continue to write my short articles about songs and social issues. Not many people read them, but it’s something I think is important to document. Maybe some day it will catch on, maybe not. Maybe it will lead to something else. You never know. That’s the mystery of this crazy life!
Louise ... thank you for this lovely comment. And I agree with the power of "start now." There is a tendency ... perhaps even a gravitational force ... to think it's too late to "start now." However, a few days ago I started reading a new book and yesterday it set me on fire, perhaps even on a new course. If we're breathing, it's not too late. Glad you're on this journey and am off to subscribe to your stack which sounds fascinating.
What a positive, fascinating post! I love the twisted reed image so much. It has a wonderful texture. I have what I hope is a big year coming up in 2024 when I am self-publishing my first novel and I am determined to enjoy my time whether I'm working on producing and publicising it or doing other things (I sing in a choir and do lots of walking in Snowdonia, Wales, where I live). I have always wanted to be a published author but life is lived by moments and even if the book really took off, and was read for years to come (haha, very unlikely!) etc etc, it's the quality of each day that counts. At least that's what I'm going to try to remember! I have a theory that there's a state of good energy which will bring opportunities towards you and while of course you do have to apply for things and submit stuff to the right people, in the end, it's something more subtle and to do with the channels of energy being clear and open. Thanks for making me think about all this, Joyce, with your lovely piece of writing.
Kathy ... thank you for your lovely comment ... and this sentence is golden ... "it's the quality of each day that counts. At least that's what I'm going to try to remember! " Best wishes on your novel and savor that moment of first holding it in your hands. It's magic. (Also, is there a lot of snow in Snowdonia?)
Thank you. And yes, sometimes a lot of snow! Actually, we are supposed to call Snowdonia by its Welsh name now, which is Eryri (pronounced 'e-ruh-ree') but it'll take a while before people know where that is! Looking forward to reading more of your posts.
I think this is my favourite post of yours to date (and not because you so kindly shared my image). I am IN LOVE with wild enchanment in general and the quote specifially “She was here on earth to grasp the meaning of its wild enchantment …”
I think we might be soul sisters! And I just noted that the standard Substack procedure of putting what an author writes after their name creates in your case ... Medha Murtagh writes great things. Clever.
I'm thinking about 2024 right now. A lot of the same I imagine, but I do want there to be something new or 'livelier' in my creativity. I don't know yet what that might be, but I'm ready to explore.
Make the flip books. You are way past the point of needing the kids to select you for their kickball team. It's their loss to not invite you in and pay full honorarium as a faculty member. You are so far ahead of where you think you are with all the plates you are spinning on sticks now. Make the flip books. I have a library with many books created and published by my husband, the photojournalist, writer, and adventurer. Whenever he went anywhere, for a day, for two days, or longer, he took hundreds of photographs. Upon returning to his office, he became the photo editor plus created, wrote and published a book, with all of the story lines. Who does that? Most people take a few images on their cell phone. They don't create coffee table books. Tom did. Tom is gone now and there are a lot of people cherish the stories and books he produced. Make the flip books.
Georgia, thanks so much ... I love straight talk and appreciate your words. Sorry about Tom, he sounds like an adventurous spirit ... and it probably took one to keep up with (put up with) him.
Glad it resonated. Whenever I meet another soul who is larger than life and travels at 100 mph while everyone else stays at 35, on the shoulder, I like to let them know there are, certainly, a few worthy of their time on Earth and "get" them.
Loved this, Joyce!
I can’t remember where I saw it, but somewhere, I read, “The two most powerful words are ‘Start now.’” Make the flip books, send more applications if that’s what you want to do. Just keep at it. When you look back at all you’ve accomplished, just that will bring you a sense of satisfaction knowing that you gave it your best shot.
In 2024, I plan to continue to write my short articles about songs and social issues. Not many people read them, but it’s something I think is important to document. Maybe some day it will catch on, maybe not. Maybe it will lead to something else. You never know. That’s the mystery of this crazy life!
Louise ... thank you for this lovely comment. And I agree with the power of "start now." There is a tendency ... perhaps even a gravitational force ... to think it's too late to "start now." However, a few days ago I started reading a new book and yesterday it set me on fire, perhaps even on a new course. If we're breathing, it's not too late. Glad you're on this journey and am off to subscribe to your stack which sounds fascinating.
What a positive, fascinating post! I love the twisted reed image so much. It has a wonderful texture. I have what I hope is a big year coming up in 2024 when I am self-publishing my first novel and I am determined to enjoy my time whether I'm working on producing and publicising it or doing other things (I sing in a choir and do lots of walking in Snowdonia, Wales, where I live). I have always wanted to be a published author but life is lived by moments and even if the book really took off, and was read for years to come (haha, very unlikely!) etc etc, it's the quality of each day that counts. At least that's what I'm going to try to remember! I have a theory that there's a state of good energy which will bring opportunities towards you and while of course you do have to apply for things and submit stuff to the right people, in the end, it's something more subtle and to do with the channels of energy being clear and open. Thanks for making me think about all this, Joyce, with your lovely piece of writing.
Kathy ... thank you for your lovely comment ... and this sentence is golden ... "it's the quality of each day that counts. At least that's what I'm going to try to remember! " Best wishes on your novel and savor that moment of first holding it in your hands. It's magic. (Also, is there a lot of snow in Snowdonia?)
Thank you. And yes, sometimes a lot of snow! Actually, we are supposed to call Snowdonia by its Welsh name now, which is Eryri (pronounced 'e-ruh-ree') but it'll take a while before people know where that is! Looking forward to reading more of your posts.
I think this is my favourite post of yours to date (and not because you so kindly shared my image). I am IN LOVE with wild enchanment in general and the quote specifially “She was here on earth to grasp the meaning of its wild enchantment …”
This might be my new life moto!
I think we might be soul sisters! And I just noted that the standard Substack procedure of putting what an author writes after their name creates in your case ... Medha Murtagh writes great things. Clever.
I'm thinking about 2024 right now. A lot of the same I imagine, but I do want there to be something new or 'livelier' in my creativity. I don't know yet what that might be, but I'm ready to explore.
I love this time of new possibilities and would love to hear what you come up with.
Make the flip books. You are way past the point of needing the kids to select you for their kickball team. It's their loss to not invite you in and pay full honorarium as a faculty member. You are so far ahead of where you think you are with all the plates you are spinning on sticks now. Make the flip books. I have a library with many books created and published by my husband, the photojournalist, writer, and adventurer. Whenever he went anywhere, for a day, for two days, or longer, he took hundreds of photographs. Upon returning to his office, he became the photo editor plus created, wrote and published a book, with all of the story lines. Who does that? Most people take a few images on their cell phone. They don't create coffee table books. Tom did. Tom is gone now and there are a lot of people cherish the stories and books he produced. Make the flip books.
Georgia, thanks so much ... I love straight talk and appreciate your words. Sorry about Tom, he sounds like an adventurous spirit ... and it probably took one to keep up with (put up with) him.
Glad it resonated. Whenever I meet another soul who is larger than life and travels at 100 mph while everyone else stays at 35, on the shoulder, I like to let them know there are, certainly, a few worthy of their time on Earth and "get" them.
Needed a double heart on this one.
I have no idea how I will live my life in 2024 but I expect it to be pretty much the same as 2023
May it be joyful.
Good reminders: Create. Make lists. Imagine things into being.