Writing: Contemplative Thoughts

Recently, I have been thinking more and more about all the writing ideas I have accumulated and stored up over the years. I have many story beginnings and many incredible ideas; however, for some reason I have only been able to write two entire stories in my life that I feel are true good stories. One was written for a creative writing class and now I cannot find the story. I received an A+ on it and the other is a novel that is approximately 421 pages long. I have gone back to edit it over 13 times and I would say 85% is as I want it to be but 15% still needs much work.

I have stopped working on it for awhile because of the content and not being sure it if is something I want to “put out there into the world”. Though I think the writing is exceptional, I am not certain about whether I want to finish it. This idea alone is a bit devastating. I worked on that story for over 2 years.

There are many different story ideas that keep percolating in my mind and yet, when it comes to putting my finger tips to keyboard, for some reason I can't go further into the meat and finally the end of the story. My doubts, my fears, my worries come flooding in. Do I really want this to be my first published story? What if no one likes it? What if I'm not the genius my mind keeps telling me I am?

I am writing this article because I have struggled so long with this internal battle as to why I'm not moving forward with anyone of these stories that I needed to get it “out of my system” and share this with the world. I know others feel the same way and just maybe my article will help them along on their paths as well?

I know that life is metaphorical. Your “work” often reflects your “life”. There are so many things in my life that I am not sure about moving forward with that I guess it reflects in my writing dreams. I know this, I have studied psychology in depth and I just know myself. I am just trying to figure out how to remedy this problem. Again, I do hope this article will be relevant to many “out there” who are writers, who know their talents are good, but just for some reason are not ready or have not pushed themselves yet.

I suppose much in life can be compared to the tiny caterpillar that must struggle and shed his cocoon. It feels warm and safe inside it, but unless he really takes the time to stretch and break his bondage, he will never learn to fly. This can be painful, and feel impossible, but he continues to push, he continues to ache because he knows his wings were meant to soar.

I know this is something I must do, but I also know that I watch everything. And, I know there's a reason why I haven't broken my cocoon yet; at least in the writing arena; at least in the manner I feel is burning inside my heart.

Or perhaps, maybe this forum for writing (Triond) is what I need right now. Ironically, we are all actually where we want to be in life at any given moment. I believe this wholeheartedly.

J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter author), said that at one moment the right story just popped in her mind and she knew. Without a doubt she knew.

To all the writers “out there”, you can soar higher, further, faster, greater than any person has ever said you could. Your talents are limitless. Your fears are nonexistent when you take a breath and really see the world. Let yourself be everything you know is shining, yearning for in your hearts. We can all lift this world to a better place.

Best wishes to all.