Gency Brown

‘That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet.' – Emily Dickinson

Over the past few weeks, I’ve learned What Emily meant. Life can occasionally give you pause. So much so that if you come out the other side, you’re ready to start living in a bigger way. Maybe a little smarter, too. With a new appreciation for all that surrounds you. Especially the people.

‘Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.' – Voltaire

Will this new found excitement spill over into my writing? For writers that share from real life, it should. Because now, their everyday lives become more vibrant. For those who create new worlds, the path to creativity will be wide open with endless ideas flowing across the universe.

‘Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.' – John Steinbeck

The creativity, appreciation, and excitement were there all along. Why do we wait for an event to shake us into action? Take the reins and ride for all you’re worth. Take chances, risk failure no matter what anyone advises.

‘Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.' – Mark Twain

Writers, as you start your journey down this new and stronger direction, keep steady. You know what you love and what you must do. You must write. Shut out the doubts and doubters. Give your stories to the world and revel only in the realization that you’ve done so.

‘I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.' – Maya Angelou

Keep learning. Keep practicing. That’s the only way to master your craft. Take classes, attend conferences, go to book signings. Listen to authors tell their story and take the bits of wisdom that you can use. Never stop writing.

‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.' – Aristotle

But don’t wait for perfection. Keep writing.

‘If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word.' – Margaret Atwood

Actually, these principles can be applied to any life and career. Listen to those that have been down the path before and let them guide you. But most of all listen to and follow your heart.

Here are some voices that add to the beat of my heart.

‘If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.' – Toni Morrison

‘I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're doing something.' – Neil Gaiman

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