Caption: My niece, Cassidy (a.k.a., the star!) with my son, Brian.
Caption: My niece, Cassidy (a.k.a., the star!) with my son, Brian.
Believe in You
I saw “A Star is Born” this past weekend and I’m still processing. The performances were incredible. What drew me into the story though was the premise. The idea that this amazing artist didn’t believe in herself. She didn’t think her voice was anything special until someone who also had incredible talent said, YOU are amazing.
I was so moved by the movie – so touched by the way Jackson Maine inspired Ally to see herself in a new light – I started Googling quotes from the movie. This Jackson Maine quote alone is worth the price of admission:
“Look, talent comes everywhere, but having something to say and a way to say it so that people listen to it, that’s a whole other bag. And unless you get out and you try to do it, you’ll never know.”
Channeling Jackson Maine
First, let me be clear. I’m not suggesting you should join forces with an alcoholic or drug addict to get your work published – or that you should start downing Johnnie Walker yourself. But, I do think it helps to have someone who can champion your work and lure you out to the stage.
Over the past three months, my husband, my sister and my 17-year-old niece all published essays in respected publications. The irony: None of them would identify themselves as writers. Yet, all three got paid – pretty well, I might add – for putting words on a page.
Here’s the thing: Editors crave authenticity. They want to hear from people – writers or not – who are willing to speak their truth. Sometimes, these stories focus on a life-changing moment or experience. Other times, well, they’re about being catcalled by 11-year-old boys.
My husband, my sister and my niece – none of them dreamed of publishing their stories. I don’t think they even thought it was possible. I had to push. In one case (my husband’s), I even hit send to score the sale. But all three had moving stories. All three shared a piece of their soul on the page. And all three needed someone to say, “You can do this!”
A Cup of Courage
Every one of us who has resided on this planet and can put words on a page has a story that deserves air time. If you have the passion, the drive and a good story, you, too, can be a published author.
What do you do if you don’t have your aunt, sister or spouse pushing you to share your truth? What happens if you don’t have someone by your side saying, “This is powerful. Let’s polish it and get a sale?” You have to find your “nudge-r.” Cultivate a tribe of trusted writers you can rely on when you need a vote of confidence – or someone to help you find the forest through the trees of your own story.
Writing isn’t for the thin-skinned. It’s tough to send your stuff out there into the editorial ethos, particularly when that stuff is your dirty laundry! But writing is about taking risks. Sometimes the most important risk you take is sharing an early draft with your friends or colleagues.
Unless you get out there and try to do it, you’ll never know. I say, it’s time to find out! If you need some professional “nudging,” please don’t hesitate to reach out. My next alumni and basic courses won’t launch until 2019, but I will continue to do one-on-one coaching and critiques through the remainder of 2018.
Happy writing all!
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