Posted on Leave a comment

Why Do We…?

Edison could have quit after just one failed attempt at creating the light bulb. But. No. He kept going. What kept him going? Why did he keep going? Passion? Persistence? Patience?

Often, I wonder why people do things. Why do people say what they say? Why do they do what they do? Why…?

Several months ago, someone asked me why I write historical fiction and for a moment, I was a bit stumped.

Because I find it fascinating? Because I love the classy eras? Because I think that the items they used are pretty? Because I have an affinity for writing about history to show others what unique things happened, things that are not in today’s history textbooks?

Man's Uniform      Vintage Lipstick Tubes.jpg    1940s Apron

Well, all of that is true. But I couldn’t just say that. 🙂

After a few quick seconds, I figured out the response:

Historical fiction is based on facts, facts that are measured by time and events that people can relate to in some way. Historical fiction is based on reality, a reality that establishes facts and tells the world that the planet they’re living in is not just a big blob, but that is real and created by the Father. Historical fiction shares the deep heart-of-the-matter moments that change lives and influence people to choose either good or evil. Historical fiction points to a real world with real issues.

Growing up in school, Edison’s teacher told him he wouldn’t amount to much. He was constantly in trouble because he would never pay attention. However, what the critics failed to notice was that Edison’s mind was already turning over inventions, inventions that have advanced society for the better. Edison enjoyed what he did. And that’s what spurred him to keep trying.

I’d love to hear from you! Why do you do what you do? What keeps you going?

 

Posted on 2 Comments

When you can’t stop

write for inspiration
photo credit: etsy

Even writers who’ve been at the pen or typewriter or keyboard for ages will agree: the key word here is “becomes.”

To write well, it takes 5% creativity and 95% determination to stick with the task. Determination is how

LM Montgomery unearthed Anne of Green Gables after storing it in a hat box for years,

Stephen King plowed on after hundreds of rejections by the time he was fourteen,

Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit tales are a legend,

Alex Haley spent eight years before finding a publisher,

and Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind has continued to succeed after it was rejected 38 times.

So, what does this boil down to? Write, read, write, read, write some more. Be determined to do what you know you’re supposed to do. Natural writing, like breathing, will come.

And you won’t be able to stop.