Tuesday, April 27, 2010

How soon we forget?

How long it took us to learn how to walk.

How long it took us to learn how to skate.

How long it took us to learn how to ride a bike.

How long it took us learn how to write cursive.

How long it took us to learn how to read.

How long it took us to learn how to cook.

How long it took us to learn how to write proper sentences.

How long it took us to learn how to type.

I could go on and on. On Monday Elana (I love her blog) had a video of Michael Jordan talking about how he was sorry if he made people forget how hard he had to work to be the player he was.

I think sometimes we believe everyone is an overnight success that they didn't spend hours writing late into the night, sometimes early morning. Sure there are the odd few that catch a lucky break, but for the most part I think everyone worked hard to be a published author, or to even write a book. We just didn't see it.

So keep on working.

11 comments:

Tabitha Bird said...

Yep. I agree. it is all that behind the scenes stuff that makes all the difference and it is the people who don't put in the hard yards who say things like 'oh, you just got lucky.' Lucky my ass! I'm working for what I want :)

Laura Pauling said...

I loved that video! And it is so easy to forget when they make it look it sooo easy!

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Great encouragement. I think one of the things I love most about writing is how it is something I can do for life.
~ Wendy

Candyland said...

Very very very good point! We do forget how hard it really is.

Jody Hedlund said...

SO true, Patti!! Or other professions, like doctors, or nurses, or teachers, or whatever. They often have to take many years to really learn their profession, don't they? As writers, we do too!

Carolyn V. said...

Great advice Patti! They mentioned at the conference I attended last year that it took J.K. Rowling five years to finish the first H.P. book. I had no idea!

Lola Sharp said...

Yeah, I loved that clip on Elana's blog.

Um, I still don't know how to cook. ;o)

Happy Wednesday, Patti!
Love,
Lola

my word verf:' cluxx' I don't think I like that word.

Jessie Oliveros said...

Tell me about it. And the thing is, a lot of us will learn and work and learn work and maybe never make it. Of course, I hope I'm one who makes it.

Unknown said...

How soon we do forget, but how sweet of you to remind us to think of the little things and how accomplished we felt after all of it!!!

Natalie said...

This is so true. It takes time and work to make it anywhere, but especially in these artistic fields. Thanks for the reminder. :)

patti said...

Miss you!
If you have a chance, stop by my post, which I didn't get up till late! There a poignant poem by my favorite, Mary Oliver, that shares my angst about the Gulf oil spill...

Blessings,
Patti
www.pattilacy.com/blog