Monday, August 2, 2010

A Light Bulb Moment

I hope you will forgive me if I am a little bit tired, a little bit brain-dead, and a little bit late with this post. I just spent and exciting, exhausting, illuminating four days at the Romance Writers of America National conference in Orlando, Florida. Then yesterday morning my husband and I took off for a seven hour drive to visit family in Georgia.

I don’t have the time, space or energy to cover my four days conference experience this morning, but I’d just like to share a couple thoughts with you. The best thing about the conference for me was getting to meet and spend time with writing friends, some I’d never met face to face before. The next best thing was to simply be able to immerse myself in the writing world, away from all the other concerns in our lives.

There were times when I’d see or hear some authors I admire and I’d think, I’ll never be able to… write like that…sell like that…be famous like that… But then other times, I’d be overwhelmed with the feeling that I can do my own version of a writing career.

And though I’ve heard it before – a light bulb went off for me. My writing career won’t be like anyone else’s, just like my writing isn’t like anyone else’s. And neither is my life. But I can make my writing the best that I can make it, and that will lead me to my writing career. The one I’m meant to have.

As soon as I get back from vacation.

So have you had any light bulb moments?

Natasha
www.natashamoore.com

8 comments:

Mona Risk said...

Natasha, you explained so well the way I felt at RWA. Meeting with editors, chatting with friends, admiring the best-selling authors from close, and the feeling of being part of a a very dspecial community.

Joan Leacott said...

HI Natasha, my light-bulb moment came at a workshop where I heard old information stated in a whole new way. When applied to my WIP it quickly led to a DUH moment.

Natasha Moore said...

Hi Mona! It's hard to explain to people who aren't a part of the writing community how special a conference is.

Hey Joan. Something like that happened to me too. I'd been stuck on my current scene and after being immersed in the writing atmosphere, I went back to my room at one point and started brainstorming. Figured out my problem and finished the scene!

Paisley Kirkpatrick said...

I think just being around other writers and catching their enthusiasm is a great stimulator for me. I am so lucky to have my Playground group who let's me ride on their coattails until I can stand on my own two feet with my own sales. Nationals is one of the best parts of being a writer even if it takes at least a week to recover when I get home.

kah said...

Sounds like we had very similar light bulb moments at RWA.

It's inspiring but self-doubt sneaks in when I'm surrounded by that much success.

Tarot By Arwen said...

My lightbulb moment came in an April Kihlstrom workshop at one of my very first RWA's.

"Give yourself permission to write crap."

*thud* It was the concept of just pushing forward that really turned things on for me. :)

Jill James said...

Natasha, I love lightbulb moments. They are so unexpected and something unique to be treasured. I love the idea that my writing journey is all mine, not like anyone else's.

Josie said...

Natasha,
Sounds like RWA provided you with a light-bulb moment, and oodles of inspiration. I love Nationals, and was sorry to miss it this year. Hope to be there next year!