Sunday, September 25, 2011

Something Like Sabotage

I’ve always been a color inside the lines, play by the rules kind of girl. But sometimes, with those lines we draw and those rules we decide to follow, we can actually sabotage ourselves. I realized recently that by labeling myself a short story writer I’d created my own limits. I’d boxed myself in and narrowed my world to a particular area that felt comfortable.

When I read a post on author Linda Urban's blog last month, where she talked about a book called "The Art of Possibility," I knew I had to read it for myself. In it, authors Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander introduce a different way of looking at the world and our relationships. It’s all about expanding our boundaries and opening ourselves up to unlimited possibilities.

In taking on writing a YA novel this year, I’ve stepped outside of the lines that I’d once drawn for myself and have entered the world of possibility.

On the days where I flounder, the temptation is to doubt myself, wonder if I’ve taken a misstep, debate going back to the comfort of shorter projects. But what this book reminds me is that I’ve embarked on new territory. The way may not be familiar, but that doesn’t mean I need to turn back. This is the world of possibility, and I think I’ll see where it leads me.

What world do you live in?

19 comments:

  1. Congratulations, it's always hard to start something new, something that we're not used to, you're very brave! I find it that I also put unnecessary barriers in front of me by repeating things like "I can't finish a novel", "I can't get published" etc. I'm focusing on changing these at the moment. Very difficult. :)
    - andrea
    PS: I've given you the Versatile Blogger Award, if you'd like to take it, you can find it here: http://wordyliving.wordpress.com/2011/09/25/thank-you/

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  2. Yay for you stepping out and trying something new. I think that's great. Sounds like quite an inspiring book to read. And if we don't give new things a try, we'll never discover how much we can accomplish. I love writing for children, all ages, but mainly middle grade. But I might branch out and write other things in the future. I have so many things I want to write, but there's just never enough time!

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  3. I agree, very brave! Kudos, and good luck with it! : )

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  4. Congrats on jumping into the unknown. Best way to grow, best way to learn. For my own writing, I find that I keep most productive by challenging myself with things I've never tried before. (Interestingly, in my personal life, I prefer the familiar and routines.)

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  5. I live in that same play by the rules world! It takes a lot of courage to step out, so congrats on that!! I just put a hold on the book you mentioned--I look forward to checking it out. Thanks!

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  6. It's so hard not to get stuck in your comfort zone. Good for you for trying to break free of your box!

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  7. Good luck. Go & draw new lines where you need them to be!

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  8. Good decision, Ruth! Stepping over those invisible boundary lines we impose on ourselves when we write is a scary thing, but it often leads to successes we wouldn't have had otherwise. I'm doing that with writing for younger children, when I've always said my minimum age was kids about 10. But once I started, I've found it's not only challenging but fun, and I'm even making money...can't ask for more than that! Good luck with the novel, I'm sure you will be great!

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  9. Andrea - you're right, it is difficult, but a little exciting too, don't you think? Also, thanks for thinking of me for the award!!

    Lyn - If you ever figure out how to squeeze a few more hours out of the day, please let me know ;)

    Katie - thanks for stopping by.

    Anne - I prefer routines in my personal life as well. If I find myself saying no to too many invitations to go out I have to stop and wonder - why not?

    Coleen - Yay! I hope you get as much out of the book as I did. I feel like it's one of those books I will need to read several times to really get the most out of it. There's lots to absorb.

    Crystal - thanks for the words of encouragement!

    AJ - I like that picture of drawing new lines. =)

    Mikki - That's exciting! I didn't know you were writing for the younger set these days. We'll stretch our boundaries together.

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  10. I live in the picture book world but am trying hard to step out into MG/YA. Like you said - it's hard! I have a lot of those self-doubt days! But it's fun to try something new :)

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  11. I love this post. It's inspiring. We ALL need to learn not to limit ourselves. I find that I do this too, but I have finally stepped outside of the box. It is wonderful. Keep it up. I'm excited for you.

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  12. I colour within the lines and stick to the rules by default. Maybe that's a fault. Congrats on stepping out, Ruth! I've got to start looking at the beauty of tweaking rules.

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  13. I'm a natural rule follower too, but over the last couple of years, frustration has driven me to step around some of them. And you know what? Unexpectedly good things have been happening to me because of it.

    Hope you find new joy and rewards in your expanding boundaries!

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  14. Expanding boundaries is a brave thing to do. I'm not good at doing it, in fact I often have to force myself to step out of my comfort zone. You have my admiration.

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  15. I love stepping outside my comfort zone with my writing. I make myself do this all the time. It's how I found out I like writing horror, YA, picture books, and nonfiction. Before I stepped out of my box, I wrote strictly for middle grade. But I made myself take chances. If you would've told me my first published book would be a picture book, I probably would've laughed it off as a good joke. I never thought I'd write horror either, but the book my agent has out on submission and is getting good requests for is a YA that borders on horror. (We are calling it paranormal though.)

    So I say, step out of the box and see what you are capable of. :)

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  16. Taking that step outside any established lines is always risky, but I'll bet you're going to find some wonderful rewards by doing that.

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  17. Susanna - Good for you! I hope you enjoy MG/YA as much as you have PBs.

    Abby - Thanks for sharing in my excitement. You're a great cheerleader =D

    Claudine - I like that: tweaking rules - not necessarily breaking them ;)

    WordWrestler - Thanks for the well wishes. I'm glad that stepping forward has been rewarded in your life. I find that is often the case.

    Rosalind - Maybe we'll both get better at it!

    Kelly - Isn't that funny that your first published book wasn't your first chosen genre. I guess we just never know what's on the horizon.

    C.Lee - I sure hope so!

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  18. Sounds exciting. I hate to be pigeon-holed and I'm not even sure what that means. I mean I know what it means figuratively, but really what do pigeons have to do with my writing?

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  19. That's awesome. I've always been a person that never steps outside my comfort zone until that comfort zone expands comfortably. I really do think it's great that you have made the big step out of your comfort to try something different. I'll have to check out "The Art of Possibility". ^_^

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