Tuesday, November 18, 2008

On the Blog Chain - Inspirational Thoughs

Um, what?

Yeah, that's how I'm starting this one. Michelle McClean is to blame for this latest round of carnage chainage. For this chain, Kate posted before me and Terri is coming up tomorrow.

Here's what Michelle has cursed me with: Share a favorite poem, quote, joke, anecdote, or anything of the sort that deals with writing, writers, the publishing industry, or the other strange and unusual tidbits that belong to our little world.

She got me at "deals with writing, writers, the publishing industry, or the other strange and unusual tidbits that belong to our little world."

Ugh.

I have no writerly quotes, inspirational or otherwise. I have some quotes that I love but they don't pertain to writing. They more inspire me to be the best gosh-darn person I can be. So that's not gonna work.

So I googled. When in doubt, nothing beats google, except maybe ask.com. They're pretty good too. But then I went through this:

Frantic Self: Gotta find somethin' good, gotta find somethin' good...

Practical Self: This is so dumb. If I don't have something I live by, what's the point? It's just gonna be garbage I spew out to be in the chain...oooh! That looks good...

Frantic Self: Can't drop out this round, this is a great topic. I love Michelle, even if her boxes have eyes...

Practical Self: I am wasting so much time on google. I could be on Rally, QT, writing, reading blogs, cooking dinner, or watching Survivor. Hmm...click on that one...noooo! Look away, look away!

Frantic Self: *deep breath* Okay, just find one thing. One thing will be good enough...

Practical Self: I hate being at the beginning of the chain, I really need more time for stewage. Just think, Frantic Self, we'll have to pick the topic soon...

Frantic Self, even more frantic: You're not helping! *grumble* Pick the topic, sheesh Practical...just...need...one...thing...

Practical Self: ...

So I've got nuthin'. I'm just going to share my one favorite quote. I adore most of what Teddy Roosevelt said; he was such an inspirational person. This quote could apply to writing if you squint at the screen just right and really stretch the bounds of your imagination. Isn't that what writers do? Or maybe that's just me...the squinting and stretching part.

"When you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it."

---Theodore Roosevelt



I had this quote on the wall of my classroom for eight years. I think it's a good mantra for anyone in any walk of life. And that's all I have for this topic.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hahahahahahaha!!! Elana, thanks for the early morning exercise! I am rolling on the floor and laughing sooo hard. You are hysterical.

And I think I managed to squint and stretch just right and found a way to use that quote for writing...sure hope my muscles won't be sore tomorrow!

Abi

Sandra Ulbrich Almazan said...

I love the dialogue between your different selves!

TerriRainer said...

Oh dear God, I feel your pain!

I got nothin, and your post makes me much braver about my big fat goose egg...

I must say that it also gives me hope, because even with nothing, you had a really great post!

:) Terri

Kate Karyus Quinn said...

LOL! Way to make something great out of nothing!

And I think that quote works great!

Michelle McLean said...

LOL ahhh, Elana, you know I love you! And that quote was perfect!! I think it most certainly applies to writing - perhaps I should have worded the topic differently because there are many many quotes that inspire us that aren't "specifically" writerly, but certainly apply to our type of work. I loved your post!!! (and my boxes do have eyes...they are staring at me as we speak!)

Excellent post!!!

H. L. Dyer said...

This one is, hands down, my favorite in this chain so far.

I seriously love you, babe!

Jenn said...

Elana, I love that quote! My dear other half lives by that philosophy. He's a computer programmer and if they want him to program in a language he doesn't know yet, he learns it. He figures it out.

Me, I'm a little less sure of myself. So I need this kind of pep-talk every once in a while. Even if it did have to come from so many of your "sevles". :)

Oh, and as to how it can apply to writing, I'll do a slight re-write to show you:

"When you are asked if you can write 50,000 words in 30 days, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it." :)

Anonymous said...

Abi, I'm glad someone got some exercise this week. Not me.

Sandra, I don't expose my different selves very much, but they were really fighting with each other there for a day or two.

Terri, I'm sure you'll be fine.

Kate, thanks. You always make me feel better about my mindless musings.

Michelle, you know I love you too.

Heather, finally! I've been trying to be your favorite for months now! I am complete.

Jennifer, um, yeah. The 50,000 words. I'm working on that. I'm a little behind, but I've got about 27,000. I'm on the downhill side. If only I knew what was coming next...sigh.

Thanks everyone!

jess said...

oh i love that quote. and you make me laugh harder than anyone else i know. luffffssss to you.

i have those voices too; what does that mean? only difference is my voices say bad words. often. and sometimes in rapid fire succession.

Carolyn Kaufman | @CMKaufman said...

How interesting. I actually started collecting writers' quotes and the like when I was in high school, so I just have to go downstairs and find my little book of things. I also have several posted up around my computer. If only we'd known, I could have given you a bunch to pretend were yours. ;-)

Anonymous said...

< coneofsilence> I think we all googled at least one part of our posts ;) < /cone>

Jessica Verday said...

Yesssssss. Another frantic Googler! *Fist Pump* and *High Five*

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