I think it only fitting to share with you some of the things I took away from this past weekends writer's conference I attended. Since...well...they were awesome!
The biggest thing that's sticking with me is from a motivational talk Kevin Anderson did. If you don't know him, you should. He is AMAZING. He's written over 50 books and been on the best seller list over 50 times. Those are some crazy odds!
And the way he tells it. He started young. He never gave up. Even after he got an agent. Even after he was published. He didn't sit back and smile in his new author status and say, "I made it!".
No. He went full force. If he was asked to do something, he said, "Sure, I can do that." He made major bank, but still continued to say, "Sure, I can do that." He said it was this 'go get it' attitude that allowed for more and more opportunities to flow his way.
I love this idea! The fact that his resume is longer than most short stories and that he is still willing to learn and grow and DO. What an inspiration! Not just in writing, but in life. And one I hope to carry with me throughout my own.
What about you? If you were uber loaded down with money and sittin' pretty on the best sellers list, would you say, "Sure, I can do that."?
Stay tuned next week for a giveaway here on my blog. Let's just say, you will enjoy this one if your headed to your own conference in the near future.
Have a great weekend!
Gosh, I totally wanna be like that! Though I'll probably be internally groaning sometimes, lol :)
ReplyDeletePossibly. I like a challenge. Accepting all of the projects that came my way would not only be challenging but fun as well.
ReplyDeleteI really probably would. Diet Coke consumption would go up, but that's not the end all of life :)
ReplyDeleteWow - how did he find the time to do alllllll of that!? AND keep it all amazing.
ReplyDeleteLove that attitude!
ReplyDeleteI try and do this and then get really stress out :) I have to keep some kind of balance and learn to prioritize. I guess I might not be as literary successful as Anderson, but I will be happy :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd had that attitude instead of giving up after querying only very briefly in 2000-01. I kept writing all that time, and now realize it probably wasn't the right time to be published because I still had some maturation left as a writer (esp. in how I approached editing and rewriting), but I wish I hadn't let all that time accumulate between now and then.
ReplyDeleteWell, lets just say I am uber successful, which right now is a WAY far way off ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I could turn the voices off in my head. They've got too much too say. And I just enjoy it so much that I feel like I have to keep going, no mater how much dough I'm sitting on.
If getting loaded with money was my only goal...then...
ReplyDeleteNo, I would not say sure I can do that. I'd have my money and be done.
But I love writing. So even after the money, I can see myself having the "Sure I can do that" attitude because it's for something I love to do. :-)
I REALLY hope so. I'm glad you were able to go to the conference. It looks like everyone had a blast.
ReplyDeleteKevin is amazing. I sat in awe of him. He's such a go-getter!
ReplyDeleteHe sounds very inspirational!
ReplyDeleteSure, I can do that sounds like the perfect mantra for someone who is truly writing for the love of writing. Great post.
ReplyDeleteIt was an awesome conference and I really appreciated Kevin Anderson's keynote address. There were so many wonderful classes! Great weekend!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, if I were rich and famous, I'd be saying "You can do that."
ReplyDeleteI want to live like Mrs. Darcy and have servants to do things while I sit and read in the window seat or go on holiday in the south of France.
It'll happen.
I'd write anyway. No matter what. This attitude is great but I think it comes from being in love with what you are doing.
ReplyDeleteI loved that speech as well. He really inspired me to be more open to ideas, opportunities and go for it.
ReplyDeleteI loved that speech as well. He really inspired me to be more open to ideas, opportunities and go for it.
ReplyDelete