This past week I came across a DVD I had misplaced a while back, 13 Going on 30 with Jennifer Garner. In the movie Garner plays 13 year old Jenna Rink who, thanks to a little magic wishing dust, wakes up one morning as a 30 year old. It’s filled with all sorts of fun 80s references, like Pat Benetar, and Jenna’s crush on Rick Springfield, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance. We quickly learn that not only does Jenna need to find a way to remember her life, but the magazine she edits, Poise, is being “scooped” by the competitor, “Sparkle” and no one knows why.
When Jenna goes to find the boy next door, she discovers that he too, has been “scooped” by another woman. She learns all her lessons about being true to herself and being good to others, and lives happily ever after. Okay, so I guess the movie is a little contrived, but it is fun nonetheless. And I still believe in that basic premise - be true to yourself, and be good to others.
Unlike the movies, when you neglect things and let them go, it’s not so easy to get them back. You have to prove yourself all over again. It takes time, persistence, and faith – and still sometimes that is not enough. You press on believing that the journey will be worth it – even if you end up somewhere entirely different from where you intended to go.
My writing is a bit in flux right now. Every couple weeks I have one or two good days on my novel, and my other writing is journal entries, how to articles, and this blog-- my one steadfast commitment. I find since I started writing my how to articles, I’ve neglected the marketing of my completed novel, No Sensible People.
My next plans include spending a little money, which I don’t have right now. I’m making my first real conscious effort to actually earn money from writing, and exploring the whole “practical” side that I resisted for so long. I’ve come to the conclusion that there is a balance, but I’m still in the process of adding and subtracting weights on all sides to get it to come out just right. I’ve decided to allow myself to spend money I earn from writing on book promotion, but I still have another month to wait on that.
It’s so hard to look at something you believe in, something you put your heart and soul into and say “later” – not knowing if it will be too late once you get back. Not knowing if you went about everything the wrong way. Not knowing if that thing you really wanted to say will ever be heard or if it will be scooped by someone else.
Patience is not my strong suit. I want my magic wishing dust, and I want it now. I don’t want to wait for that PayPal payment next month. I don’t want to wait until the better, second edition of my book finally makes it onto Amazon. I don’t want to delve all my time and energy into getting some kind of feedback and see practically nothing. I want to get to that ONE try in my life that doesn’t turn out to be an error.
But the wishing dust doesn’t exist, and so I press on, one day at a time, with hard work, persistence and faith that eventually that will be enough.
Gretchen Lee Bourquin is the author of the novel No Sensible People, available in print from Lulu.com and Amazon.com. A preview of the 2nd edition is available as a free download for a limited time via her website.
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Comments: 26
Featured in the Triple Name Club.
A well-done, thoughtful piece. Merry happy to you and your dreams!
I wrote and wrote, for over 12 years, on a continuing memoire. Finally, my husband walking out was the motivation needed to finish it, to a point, and publish it.
I too dislike witing for the end result and rather than depressing myself by gtting rejection slips from publishing companies (I didn't even bother with one onf them!) I self-published on Lulu.com and by putting out that bit of money, long since gotten back, I achieved a step in achieving my quest. I still retain the rights if I get over my fear of rejection (LOL) and send it to a publishing house, but it is out there, on Amazon and I get a check once in a while to reming me I am a published author!
I agree with you that "13 Going on 30" was a great movie. Not the sort I usually go for, but something rang true to me in that one.
Thanks for the Feature in Bookin
I too, have a patience issue. I want what a I want, and I want it now.
It's very hard to balance everything, and still have a good time doing what you love.
Good article! Thanks-- :-)