The red boat in front was an excursion boat with a 150 passenger capacity. The pontoon boat is dwarfed by this monster freighter (football fields long), running empty and probably headed to China, Mexico or some other port in the world to load up those train cars that you see stacked dozens high.
When it came through the channel it made everyone on the beach gasp and gape. It reminded me of how I feel sometimes as a writer. There are so many others who are bigger and better, who know how to navigate the editorial and publishing seas. I sometimes feel inadequate, overshadowed and small.
But if I hang onto those thoughts, I might be tempted to drop anchor and stop trying to get published. There will always be bigger and better. I realize that. Comparing myself negatively to others doesn't benefit me in any way. I may be a small boat on the big sea, but I vow to keep afloat by being the best that I can be. How about you?
12 comments:
I am staying afloat but there are days!!!! Good thoughts you wrote here....
Nice analogy, Linda. I'm definitely like the little red boat. Keep chug, chug, chugging along. Susan
Gosh! My heart is pounding. I'm just an air mattress. But I'm colorful. I'm not deflated. And a few people enjoy the ride I give them every day.
It made me feel better when I read "Bird by Bird" and realized that even a stellar writer like Anne Lamott has insecurities.
I have days when I think I'm doing pretty well. Then there are other days when I wonder why I'm even trying since every other writer on the face of the earth is far more talented than I'll ever be.
It's all in our frame of mind, I guess.
Pat
Critter Alley
Nicely put, Linda. Floating would be good...some days it is a stretch just to keep my head above water!
I saw the title and thought it came from a line Bill used on you when you two were dating...
I have to focus on the individual reader and the individual story. Perhaps it's a bit of creative nonfiction that pays homage to a dear friend. Maybe it's a story that makes a reader laugh. I learned (from one of the other WWWPs) that I need to get joy from my writing, and keeping my eye on the success of others brings me NO joy. So, I've stopped looking behind me and I've stopped looking ahead of me.
I just keep plodding along...at my own pace.
Sioux, you have figured out the secret to success.
Good advice, Linda and Sioux's is good too. We can only be ourselves and hope that someone likes us whatever we're doing. As Oscar Wilde said, 'Be yourself,everyone else is taken.'
I am just a dinghy...but I float.
Great post... you should have no worries.
Great analogy. I can't help but think of a Little Golden Book I had as a child about how even little tug boats can do some good in the sea.
I enjoy reading how authors got published for very reason. Each one had a journey, faced difficulties, and still encounter challenges. It encourages me to keep moving forward.
Post a Comment