Okay, so I was playing around with some fonts last week because well, it was one of "those days" where the universe seems to be conspiring against you, and everyone has written 40,000 words and you've deleted 129, and dinner burned, and your favorite reality TV show is a repeat.
One of those days.
And I like fonts, so I thought they'd cheer me up. They did, and not only because of the fancy curls and wicked edges. But because this is what I was making:
What do you do to cheer yourself up? Ever feel like quitting? Maybe try making some little signs for yourself... Or something.
One day I was out with my hubby, my Mum and my little brother. I was chatting with my brother and hubby was chatting with Mum. Then they asked what we were talking about so enthusiastically. "Fonts" I admitted!
Those are great signs! Yes, there are times I feel like quitting. Right now I'm actually wondering if it's all just too much. I have to figure some things out and re-prioritize because I've lost sight of what's important. BUT...it's not that I've given up, exactly. Thanks for the signs. :) Hope they cheered you up!
And I really hate it when you look forward to your favorite show, reality or not, and it's a repeat. UGH!
Love the signs. I've thought about quitting, for oh about 2 seconds. I love writing stories (novel-sized stories), and couldn't imagine quitting something I love doing.
Oh yep, I doodle, but I'm only admitting it here and now. I also feel perfectly normal talking to myself while shopping. I'm certain it cheers me up and I love to catch the looks on the faces around me.
When I have a slow brain day with writing, I usually waste my time by redesigning my blog and making headers. I actually have a blog that I never post on, I just use it for design experimentation.
Ha, I had those days every day last week! I tend to jump around, reading people's amazing blogs, hoping that there will be that little nugget of wisdom to get my butt out of a funk and back to work.
Awesome little signs, Elana. Do I feel like quitting? Only ever other day. ;o) I just motor through. Either that or I lay on the couch and watch Grey's Anatomy reruns until my brain bleeds.
Omigosh, I love that ostrich font. And I'm gonna make me a Writing Is Fun sign. Only with capital letters and exclamation points like someone is yelling at me. WRITING IS FUN, DAMN IT!!!!! haha, thanks for sharing.
What a great idea, Elana! Fonts can be so cheerful. I like to stare at pictures of daffodils and daisies and cute carnations. Daffodils ALWAYS cheer me up! :-)
Love this! Those are awesome. Yeah, I know how you feel. I tend to go to my Disney pandora station and talks by President Utchdorf. Cheesy, but hey, it works for me :)
Adored the fonts but loved the inspiring messages more.
I've given myself the occassional swift kick in the tail every now and again if I feel like "blah". But chocolate does a lot to give me some extra pep to attack the moment.
Elana - thank you so much for this post. I'm doing a pretty serious revision (+resubmit) and I am terrified to do it. I read through my entire novel the other day and ended up sobbing and sending whiny e-mails to other writers because I suddenly felt like my book was so terrible compared to everyone else's. And yea- I even reread Twilight that night and thought GAAAH STEPHENIE MEYER IS BETTER THAN ME. (No really.) And today I am adding in new scenes and dropping a plotline to make this little book stronger (and hopefully one that an agent will like:))... and these words are just what I needed. thank you<3
I love designing things and fonts too. Awesome fonts!
Um-yep. Sometimes I do feel like giving up and sometimes I feel as if I wish I could let it all go but my heart never lets me. And to be honest, it can get a little annoying lol.
I do realize it is a blessing to have passion sooo therefore I will embrace it :)
I think my favorite of those sayings is "Own Your Journey." I'm doing that right now. Sometimes it's a hard thing to own. Sometimes it's a balm. I'm glad you took some time for some happy. Everyone needs that when the day is sucktastic.
Love "Own Your Journey"! I needed that today. I went to the writer's series tonight at the library and that helped me get back into the writing groove again. And this post got me motivated! THANKS, Elana!
Man, I'm having one of those days RIGHT NOW. And I loved those signs! But what cheers me up is listening to my kids laugh, so I usually go and tickle them. That's going to stop working in another couple of years, though...
It's so great that you cheered yourself up with affirmations, Elana. And you DO rock! Thanks for the post.
In addition, I'm attending a "Novel Academy", where I'll read 2 manuscripts in advance and 2 people will read mine. We'll exchange critique notes 1 week in advance. Then we'll meet at the conference, along with published writers and an editor to work on improving our manuscripts.
I'm sure I'll have to be peeled off the floor by the end of the conference. Then I'll reread your post.
"Own your journey" is my favorite of your quotes. I often tell myself, "I can do hard things." That seems so basic and silly, but thinking those words got me through some rough times.
Good idea. I think we need to be creative this way - it's a break from the routine (unless we are graphic designers I suppose:) and it just plain fosters creativity. That's always a good thing!
I recently bought matching bracelets for me and my daughter. They're just black cording with a single charm that says "Believe." My daughter told me she looks at it every time she needs courage: in soccer, in dance, in class. Knowing that it inspires her, inspires me too :)
I so needed to see those today :D They're now printed out and stuck to my wall where I can recite them over and over 'til I believe them :D Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYes I definitely have those days. I just try to get through them. And you know I've thought about quitting at times.
ReplyDeleteOne day I was out with my hubby, my Mum and my little brother. I was chatting with my brother and hubby was chatting with Mum. Then they asked what we were talking about so enthusiastically. "Fonts" I admitted!
ReplyDeleteThose are great signs! Yes, there are times I feel like quitting. Right now I'm actually wondering if it's all just too much. I have to figure some things out and re-prioritize because I've lost sight of what's important. BUT...it's not that I've given up, exactly. Thanks for the signs. :) Hope they cheered you up!
ReplyDeleteAnd I really hate it when you look forward to your favorite show, reality or not, and it's a repeat. UGH!
Yeeeeah. I make signs all the time. Here's my latest: http://pinterest.com/pin/207447126555729492/
ReplyDeleteProbably I'd do better if I would actually DO what the sign says instead of MAKING the sign, huh?
:D
Love the signs. I've thought about quitting, for oh about 2 seconds. I love writing stories (novel-sized stories), and couldn't imagine quitting something I love doing.
ReplyDeleteLOVE those! And I talk to you. :D
ReplyDeletelove them! and I'll have to ditto Christine :) I talk to my writer buds. And I read. Reading always brings the love back.
ReplyDeleteThose are fun! I cheer myself up with reading or watching something fun. Or I visit blogs like yours to make me smile. :)
ReplyDeleteVery inspirational, just what I needed. I tend to go to the movies when I need to cheer up.
ReplyDeleteOh yep, I doodle, but I'm only admitting it here and now. I also feel perfectly normal talking to myself while shopping. I'm certain it cheers me up and I love to catch the looks on the faces around me.
ReplyDelete:D
~Wendy
When I have a slow brain day with writing, I usually waste my time by redesigning my blog and making headers. I actually have a blog that I never post on, I just use it for design experimentation.
ReplyDeleteHa, I had those days every day last week! I tend to jump around, reading people's amazing blogs, hoping that there will be that little nugget of wisdom to get my butt out of a funk and back to work.
ReplyDeleteAwesome little signs, Elana. Do I feel like quitting? Only ever other day. ;o) I just motor through. Either that or I lay on the couch and watch Grey's Anatomy reruns until my brain bleeds.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLet's try that again...
ReplyDeleteI think I shared this before, but I just keep looking at the yellow sticky hanging over my desk that says: "Failure is success postponed."
Own your journey. I love that. It keeps me going.
ReplyDeleteI needed to see this today. The writing has been slow-going. Losing more words than gaining. Listening to showtunes makes me happy. Ha. :)
ReplyDeleteI love fonts, too. Your motivational signs are a great idea! Thank you for sharing them. :)
ReplyDeleteI usually just take a break. Do something else. Go outside. Watch a movie. Play a game.
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun, and I love different fonts. I might have to try that sometime. :)
ReplyDeleteI love these little pep talks we give ourselves.
ReplyDeleteOmigosh, I love that ostrich font. And I'm gonna make me a Writing Is Fun sign. Only with capital letters and exclamation points like someone is yelling at me. WRITING IS FUN, DAMN IT!!!!! haha, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI needed a little cheering up today, love this!
ReplyDeleteLove the birds on "Own Your Own Journey"...perfect for the saying as they're all looking in different directions, like figuring out which way to go.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pep talk...I had one of THOSE DAYS all last week, trying to hit an already missed deadline...ugh.
What a great idea, Elana! Fonts can be so cheerful. I like to stare at pictures of daffodils and daisies and cute carnations. Daffodils ALWAYS cheer me up! :-)
ReplyDeleteLove this! Those are awesome. Yeah, I know how you feel. I tend to go to my Disney pandora station and talks by President Utchdorf. Cheesy, but hey, it works for me :)
ReplyDeleteSarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)
fun fonts and great encouraging words.
ReplyDeleteAdored the fonts but loved the inspiring messages more.
ReplyDeleteI've given myself the occassional swift kick in the tail every now and again if I feel like "blah". But chocolate does a lot to give me some extra pep to attack the moment.
Love the signs, Elana. I write down lines from songs that hit home for me and read them (or listen to the songs) when I need a pick me up.
ReplyDeleteElana - thank you so much for this post. I'm doing a pretty serious revision (+resubmit) and I am terrified to do it. I read through my entire novel the other day and ended up sobbing and sending whiny e-mails to other writers because I suddenly felt like my book was so terrible compared to everyone else's. And yea- I even reread Twilight that night and thought GAAAH STEPHENIE MEYER IS BETTER THAN ME. (No really.) And today I am adding in new scenes and dropping a plotline to make this little book stronger (and hopefully one that an agent will like:))... and these words are just what I needed.
ReplyDeletethank you<3
I can't even get out of my pajamas today!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't even get out of my pajamas today!!!
ReplyDeleteI love designing things and fonts too. Awesome fonts!
ReplyDeleteUm-yep. Sometimes I do feel like giving up and sometimes I feel as if I wish I could let it all go but my heart never lets me. And to be honest, it can get a little annoying lol.
I do realize it is a blessing to have passion sooo therefore I will embrace it :)
Genius! That is all. I might have to print those.
ReplyDeleteI need some motivational signs.
ReplyDeleteI love fonts too! They're so much fun to play with :) I like your message - and agree with it. Keep on writing and keep having fun!
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite of those sayings is "Own Your Journey." I'm doing that right now. Sometimes it's a hard thing to own. Sometimes it's a balm. I'm glad you took some time for some happy. Everyone needs that when the day is sucktastic.
ReplyDeleteI love the own your journey as well... it sings to me.
ReplyDeleteI love it! Currently in the process of toning down the "enjoy the ride" in favour of a "finish strong" :)
ReplyDeleteLove "Own Your Journey"! I needed that today. I went to the writer's series tonight at the library and that helped me get back into the writing groove again.
ReplyDeleteAnd this post got me motivated! THANKS, Elana!
Man, I'm having one of those days RIGHT NOW. And I loved those signs! But what cheers me up is listening to my kids laugh, so I usually go and tickle them. That's going to stop working in another couple of years, though...
ReplyDeleteIt's so great that you cheered yourself up with affirmations, Elana. And you DO rock! Thanks for the post.
I should bookmark this post. Next month, I'm attending a conference, where I'm having an:
ReplyDeleteagent/editor 10-page critique
agent/editor query critique
agent editor 9-page+query critique (different book)
In addition, I'm attending a "Novel Academy", where I'll read 2 manuscripts in advance and 2 people will read mine. We'll exchange critique notes 1 week in advance. Then we'll meet at the conference, along with published writers and an editor to work on improving our manuscripts.
I'm sure I'll have to be peeled off the floor by the end of the conference. Then I'll reread your post.
Never give up is my motto!
ReplyDelete"Own your journey" is my favorite of your quotes. I often tell myself, "I can do hard things." That seems so basic and silly, but thinking those words got me through some rough times.
ReplyDeleteGood idea. I think we need to be creative this way - it's a break from the routine (unless we are graphic designers I suppose:) and it just plain fosters creativity. That's always a good thing!
ReplyDeleteI recently bought matching bracelets for me and my daughter. They're just black cording with a single charm that says "Believe." My daughter told me she looks at it every time she needs courage: in soccer, in dance, in class. Knowing that it inspires her, inspires me too :)
ReplyDelete