Bending to Grow
Four years ago, I started working on a novel about two characters named Phaidra and Donavon. For some reason, these two characters made me fall in love with them and I have been completely unable to let them go. The problem was, no matter how hard I tried, I have never been able to get their story off the ground. For the last few years I have found myself constantly trying different angles, different ideas, anything I could think of to make the story flow, but nothing worked.
The other morning I was reading a short book by my literary grandfather, Paulo Coehlo. The following words completely resonated in my heart and I knew that it was time to make some changes…
“There are two types of shot.
The first is the shot made with great precision, but without any soul. In this case, although the archer may have a great mastery of technique, he has concentrated solely on the target and because of this he has not evolved, he has become stale, he has not managed to grow, and, one day, he will abandon the way of the bow because he finds that everything has become mere routine.
The second type of shot is the one made with the soul. When the intention of the archer is transformed into the flight of the arrow, his hand opens at the right moment, the sound of the string makes the birds sing, and the gesture of shooting something over a distance provokes - paradoxically enough – a return to and an encounter with oneself.”
Paulo Coehlo The way of the Bow
Like I said, these words really spoke to me and placed an uncomfortable mirror in front of my face. Truth be told, I could simply write this story. Force my way through it, make these characters come to life whether they wanted to or not. I could tell a mediocre story, but fulfill my overweening desire to just get work out there! But I would be like the person he described taking the first shot. There would be no passion it. I would be doing it simply because I can, because I’m expected to, because I have done it before.
But, that is not what I am about. I am defined by my art. I am defined by my ability to create and think, breathe and move outside of the box. I never want to be mediocre or ordinary. Reading this I have realized that over the past year I have become more interested in the industry side of writing and been completely neglectful of the actual art. I am being told to keep my name out there so people don’t forget, push myself and wear the story out thin, whatever it takes as long as people don’t forget. I have been so anxious to get some more work underway, push, push, push a new book into the works so my readers won’t lose interest, heaven forbid a couple of years to by with that new hot book by Brandelyn N. Castine! I have been a little overwhelmed by the pressure and in all of that I have forgotten about the thing that I have always prided myself on; integrity.
Whatever comes next, I want it to be something from my soul. I am going to take some time, read, develop my self as an observer and an artist and allow my mind the freedom to roam. I want to write about something that will challenge me as well as my readers. I want to write this next novel with the same amount of intensity and passion as I did with U.G.L.Y. Reading the way of the bow taught me that it is okay to bend. Sometimes bending and getting out of your own way is the only way you will learn to grow. Now, for the first time in a long time, I am truly excited.
Peace Y’all
B
The other morning I was reading a short book by my literary grandfather, Paulo Coehlo. The following words completely resonated in my heart and I knew that it was time to make some changes…
“There are two types of shot.
The first is the shot made with great precision, but without any soul. In this case, although the archer may have a great mastery of technique, he has concentrated solely on the target and because of this he has not evolved, he has become stale, he has not managed to grow, and, one day, he will abandon the way of the bow because he finds that everything has become mere routine.
The second type of shot is the one made with the soul. When the intention of the archer is transformed into the flight of the arrow, his hand opens at the right moment, the sound of the string makes the birds sing, and the gesture of shooting something over a distance provokes - paradoxically enough – a return to and an encounter with oneself.”
Paulo Coehlo The way of the Bow
Like I said, these words really spoke to me and placed an uncomfortable mirror in front of my face. Truth be told, I could simply write this story. Force my way through it, make these characters come to life whether they wanted to or not. I could tell a mediocre story, but fulfill my overweening desire to just get work out there! But I would be like the person he described taking the first shot. There would be no passion it. I would be doing it simply because I can, because I’m expected to, because I have done it before.
But, that is not what I am about. I am defined by my art. I am defined by my ability to create and think, breathe and move outside of the box. I never want to be mediocre or ordinary. Reading this I have realized that over the past year I have become more interested in the industry side of writing and been completely neglectful of the actual art. I am being told to keep my name out there so people don’t forget, push myself and wear the story out thin, whatever it takes as long as people don’t forget. I have been so anxious to get some more work underway, push, push, push a new book into the works so my readers won’t lose interest, heaven forbid a couple of years to by with that new hot book by Brandelyn N. Castine! I have been a little overwhelmed by the pressure and in all of that I have forgotten about the thing that I have always prided myself on; integrity.
Whatever comes next, I want it to be something from my soul. I am going to take some time, read, develop my self as an observer and an artist and allow my mind the freedom to roam. I want to write about something that will challenge me as well as my readers. I want to write this next novel with the same amount of intensity and passion as I did with U.G.L.Y. Reading the way of the bow taught me that it is okay to bend. Sometimes bending and getting out of your own way is the only way you will learn to grow. Now, for the first time in a long time, I am truly excited.
Peace Y’all
B
