By Kari Diane Pike
Like Valerie said the other day, May is not a month for getting much writing done. My creative juices have been sluiced (Can you tell I have been researching gold mining?) away to areas more concerned with immediate survival, so I will share a few more lessons I learned at LDStorymakers Writer's Conference:
Dave Farland/Wolverton taught me more about the writing process in one thirty minute presentation than I learned in an entire semester of college English. Brother Farland firmly believes that writers can make as good a living from their chosen field as do doctors and lawyers do in theirs, provided writers are willing to put in the same amount of time and effort into their education and work. (I've seen the amount of time and energy law and medical students put into learning their craft. How successful do I want to be?)
"There is no one set path for being a successful writer. What is your next step?"
"The harder you work, the luckier you get."
"Be in the path of the lightening." (I love this quote!)
One more quote from my notes that has been haunting me:
"Remember, once you print it, you can't take it back." -Mary Greathouse
Does that statement intimidate you, or does it encourage you? I would love to hear your take on it.
hugs~
I loved Dave Farland's message. I loved his lightning quote, too. If we want to be struck by lightning, folks, we have to be standing in its path!
ReplyDeleteDave Farland's talk was definitely a highlight of the conference. He was one of the few presenters who referenced Jesus Christ, and frankly, I went there expecting to hear that more frequently. I love the quote from Mary Greathouse, too. I write because I feel so strongly about what I'm saying that I don't WANT to take it back. That's why it's so important to base my writing on eternal truths. In my mind this is all wrapped up in the same package with temple covenants and what Anita Stansfield said about having reverence for your gift. We have a sobering responsibility, which makes some people nervous, but the compulsion comes from a divine source. I believe gifts and talents, whatever form they take, are a spiritually genetic inheritance from heavenly parents. With the help of the Spirit, we can handle it. I derive great comfort from the assurance that God doesn't read the reviews, but he will expect a report on what I did with the talent he gave me.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Pam. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I hated that last quote. In my dreams I get to rewrite my first book. There is so much I'd changed. Can't I please take it back?
ReplyDeleteLOL..Christine, I felt very intimidated when I first heard Mary say that!
ReplyDeleteIn the next life we will be asked what we did with our talents. I also believe we will be judged by what we write and publish--edgy, over the edge vs. holding to our standards and uplifting.
ReplyDeleteamen, Joan. I agree.
ReplyDeleteChris' Great Grandpa was a gold miner, I went with Kathy to video tape her interviewing him and I learned a lot about it! if you need old pictures for some reason I can get some for you! It was fun to see the pans he actually used and the other tools. would you like to ask him questions?
ReplyDeletealso...I like to be able to erase/redo now and then too :)