I was going to repost Taking the Road Less Traveled, because I’ve got a crazy busy week and it’s one of my more popular posts … but then I realized my head isn’t quite in that same space anymore.
In the four months since that post, I’ve grown less worried about my children’s forays into the creative arts and more concerned about all the children that don’t. I’ve become less anxious that my risk-taking – in choosing to write children’s novels rather than get a job with a paycheck – is some kind of foolhardiness that I will regret.
In fact, in these mere four months, I’ve grown in my confidence that not only is taking the road less traveled a wise choice for me, it may in fact be the only real choice. There’s a feeling of rightness, an intuition-approval bliss-feeling, that comes when you’ve made a choice that’s right for you. I believe it has something to do with integrity, in the sense that all the disparate pieces of you are integrated and heading in the same direction.
Where did this come from?
Sampling the Cloud
I’ve been reading a lot of blogs, talking to a lot of people, and reading books about changes in the publishing industry. I’ve been examining people that are successful, trying to discern what makes them unique. I think of the knowledge base of human experience like an amorphous cloud, shifting and gusting around, changing from minute to minute. You can easily get lost in the cloud, and it can drive you a bit crazy. But I’ve been trying to take large snapshots to find patterns and learn from them.
From this I’ve discerned a couple things: 1) people that are successful aren’t successful because they’ve divined the secret code. They’re successful because they made their own code, and 2) Their own code is an expression of the type of person they are, fully embraced and carried forward into the world with confidence.
Examples:
John Locke is a savvy sales guy who made a bucket load of money selling books the same way he sold insurance. Could I possibly succeed this way? No more than I could sell insurance (which is to say NO).
HP Mallory is enthusiastic, cute, and fun, and has sold a lot of books by being … enthusiastic, cute, and fun. And attracting readers who enjoy that (and her). Could I be that cute and whimsical? I have my moments, but that’s not the main thing that drives me.
My path to success will be different from theirs, and only by embracing who I am, making up my own code for success, will I find it. This is the very definition of traveling your own road, but like the Room of Requirement, you will only find it when you go forward with confidence in what you need.
Confidence as a Writer
At the same time, I’ve been working this summer on a side project (not listed on my WiP page) that’s been kept under wraps, mainly because I wasn’t sure what would become of it. Still not sure, but my part is done and it’s launched off. We’ll see if that baby bird can fly or not (I’ll be sure to let you know if it does). But in the process, I collaborated with some excellent writers and gained some serious insights into my writing: what I do well, how far I can stretch, where my weaknesses are. Knowing your weaknesses makes you stronger, not weaker, and all that self-knowledge has helped me gain confidence in my writerly skills.
Confidence to tromp down that path, even if I’m the first one to travel it in exactly my way. Confidence that my path is not only an acceptable way to go about things, it is probably the best way for me.
Because that’s the kind of person I am.
So, Mighty Mite is not only taking Hip Hop, we’ve added Voice lessons to his creative outlets (he also wants to take acting classes). Dark Omen is hard at work on the sequel of his novel, and Worm Burner has decided that he’s a fan of both C++ programming and Shakespeare.
I’m not worried about these explorations anymore. I know they are following their own paths, ones that are expressions of who they are, and I’m grateful that they feel free to tell me, “Mom, I want to try this.”
After all, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
p.s. No Friday Post. Because I really am busy getting ready for a big announcement on Monday. 🙂
p.p.s. It’s the Thursday Omnific Publishing Author Blog Hop…
I love this post for so many reasons…especially the "write your own code" idea. GO YOU!
Love the part about writing your own code.
I wouldn't be good at selling insurance, so I guess I can delete that from my code too.
There is a whole lot I could say about this, but I don't have time, and it would go on for way to long, so I'll just say:
You, and your kids, are AWESOME.
I can only say a wholehearted Amen to this post!
Well said, Susan! Wonderful post that inspires and motivates. I see people following this trend or that one, copying other authors who made it, and right now the big push is to self-publish on Kindle because a few made it big there. When a few years ago self-publishing was embarrassing. The next big success story, whatever that is, will have everyone chasing that road. We all are "sheep that have gone astray" in this and in everything, it's human nature! It takes courage and insight to do what feels right inside, for you and your family.
Okay, that was awesome. Know what you want; embrace it; and go after it.
@Joanna Thank you!
Terrific. And a code that we all must embrace! yay!
Confidence and realizing it takes a lot of time and effort. All of them struggled at the beginning. Best of luck, Susan.
Great post Susan. Thank you!
@Ansha Thanks!! 🙂
Wonderful post and such great revelations about yourself. Can't wait to read more.
Thank you for writing and sharing this. I'm just taking the leap, and trying really hard not to look down 🙂 It's true, we are all on our own paths and need to find our own way. It won't be the same as someone elses.
The spice of life.
Great post.
The room of requirement is such a subtle and great line in this fantastic post. You're so right that taking that step to believe in yourself will open doors.
We definitely do better I think if we take the paths where our creative urges lead us.
I've yet to find what will make me wildly popular as a writer, but there's time yet.
This is an awesome post for so many reasons that it would take forever to try and delve into each and every one.
I love that you not only embraced your path but that you also encourage doing the same. Awesome indeed.
Liked this post, Susan. My fave part:
"Their own code is an expression of the type of person they are, fully embraced and carried forward into the world with confidence."
Very true, and not so easy to accomplish.
Those are some awesome apples you're growing over there. And the tree's not so bad either 🙂
Thanks for this post, Susan. yes, we all have to write our own codes.
@Damyanti YOU are definitely one of those people tromping through the weedy path, leading a tribe. 🙂 It inspires me. 🙂
C++ AND Shakespeare? Smart kid… 😀 and LOL at you on the whole HPM observation. You DO have your moments.
This is a great post, and I agree a thousand percent. Find what makes you unique, learn your weaknesses, and then build on your strengths.
Hmm… if only it were as easy as typing it. ;p <3
I'm down with this!
Rock on, Susan. 🙂 I think it's amazing that in what most of us see as a swarming pooling of conflicting and overwhelming information, you're able to cut through it all and boil it down into something like this that makes SO MUCH SENSE.
And I completely agree that when you're on the path meant for you, there's a calmness that overtakes you. Peace.
@DG You are so right, it's tough. Which is why I keep having to learn this lesson over and over.
Isn't it amazing how much can change in four short months. Great post!
@Cherie Yes! Which is why my plans all have "draft" written all over them. 🙂
Totally agree that we can only be who we are, and there's a lot of happiness in that whether or not it brings commercial success.
I think it's equally important to evaluate what others do and incorporate from them or even support and follow on occasion. But to your own self being true is vital.
@John Well said! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
He takes hip hop!? He's so gonna be the star of all his school dances. So awesome! And yeah, finding your own path to the top (or anywhere) is definitely the way to go.
Hi Susan .. you're so right .. letting the kids do their thing – they'll work out what's best for them .. as long as the basics are there – they can add to their skills etc .. let them sample all things ..
Sounds like you've got three great kids with three huge imaginations there .. just enjoy it all – cheers Hilary
Ah the elusive room of requirement. Nice post :O)
@jon Oh, Jon, you should see the girls gushing about him! #soreallynotgood
Yay for you!!! I love your conclusion. I embrace it whole heartedly and can't wait to see your announcement!
Hi Susan .. thanks for the email f/up – great kids and just enjoy (sometimes I'd love some!) .. cheers Hilary
What an insightful post. I wish you the best of luck for success in the road you're choosing. Yep, sounds like the apples don't fall far from the tree. You done good, Susan! Can't wait to hear your announcement tomorrow!
This is awesome Susan. What I love about it is that it's given voice to something I've been discovering rather viscerally. I hope it will be successful for me. But at the very least, it IS AUTHENTIC TO ME. So that's good. I can live with that. 🙂