HUMBLE
For me, reading a fantastic book is like admiring the art in the Sistene Chapel or taking in the majestic Niagara Falls. Words in novels take my breath away. I am astounded and awed by the beauty of them and how, if placed just so, they flow off my tongue like poetry. I am HUMBLED by them.
It is also a very HUMBLING thing to be a writer. To strive for excellence through voice, while it is already so prevalent in the world. To wonder if I could ever write something as elegant and soft, or harsh and choppy as others seem to have nailed with ease.
To be a writer isn't the easiest of roads when there are so many others who are equally as blessed with the gift and vying for the same attention I seek. I am daily HUMBLED on this journey and can't help but wonder if years down the road: Will someone read my work and be HUMBLED too?
What about you? Are you HUMBLED by anything you do?
I'm humbled when I read really good books.
ReplyDeleteAnd then I get to writing because I want to be as good as them :)
I feel like I say this a lot, but I agree with Kelley! I too am humbled when I read great books. :D
ReplyDeleteNo, I'm arrogant enough to keep thinking how much better I could have done it :P
ReplyDeleteI am humbled by my children. They remind me to be a better person every day.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! a great book humbles me. How do they make it look so easy?
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm humbled when I read an excellent book. I'm humbled by teaching, too. I learn so much from my students if I remember to listen.
ReplyDeleteI love when I close a book and just sigh. Then I think how lucky I am that I know the author and I can't believe I'm a part of such an awesome community. Truly humbles my butt right up.
ReplyDeleteAlso humbled when I read a great story.
ReplyDeleteLike the others, I'm humbled when I read great writing and a fabulous story.
ReplyDeleteGood question! Our projects really are works of art,aren't they? I've come to the conclusion that a really good story that can actually humble a reader, takes at least a year to perfect.
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, I'm constantly humbled in this writing community. Humbled by the amazing supportive friends, but the crazy good writers and by the potential that we can always strive to be better!
ReplyDeleteAwesome H theme, Deana :)
I'm humbled by the talent I keep meeting - not only writers but artists and singers and...just CLEVER people LOL. I'm meeting a lot on the A-Z Challenge, actually. But there's nothing like reading a good book, one you don't want to end...Nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteI am humbled by excellent writing. I'm also humbled when I read the Bible.
ReplyDeleteI so agree - writing is an incredibly humbling experience. Incredibly. And oh so hard sometimes. But hopefully someone will be humbled by our work too and then it'll be worth it.
ReplyDeleteI totally feel this way when I read great books. Sometimes, when I feel like a crap writer, I can't even read in my genre bc I'm too humbled by it. So many good writers out there.
ReplyDeleteAll the time! It is a good thing to be humbled, it makes us try even harder :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautifully insightful post, Deana. I am inspired by your words. :)
ReplyDeleteI have nominated you for the Sunshine Award! Visit this link to collect: http://melissakline.blogspot.com/2012/04/sunshine-award.html
Keep spreading sunshine!
All the time!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Deana.
I am constantly humbled by great writing! I always think I'm going to study a book I admire and figure out exactly how they do it, but before long I'm completely drawn into the story, swept away by wonderful writing ...
ReplyDeleteThere really are so many amazing writers out there, and I often wonder if i can compare. But I like to think there are readers out there just waiting to fall in love with our stories too!
ReplyDeleteI felt humbled when I read through my first Russian novel for the first time in almost a decade last spring (the files were held hostage on obsolete file formats on disks). While I feel I did a really good job on the sequel (long held hostage in my memory and in outline/note form only) last year, I honestly don't think I couldn't written the book in that way at any other time in my journey as a writer. I feel even more humbled knowing I wrote it between the ages of 13 and 21, and once I started my second major writing phase at 16, I made it into the vast, sweeping epic saga it became, with so many storylines and characters I was able to ultimately tie all together and use to set the ground for many things that happen in the second book and eventual third books and beyond. Did I really do that when I was that young?
ReplyDeleteBeing a writer is quite the humbling experience. Especially when you read a really good book and realize you've got a long road to walk before getting to that point!
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ReplyDeleteOh, man, it can be SO humbling. When I read some really excellent writing I wonder what the heck I'm doing trying to be a writer myself.
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you. When I read a good book I am totally humbled by the author's talent and way with words. And then I immediately think that I will never be able to write anything close!! LOL, humbling is probably the best word I've heard to describe the writing experience. Great choice for H!
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