Friday, June 24, 2011

Stubbornness or Dogged Determination!

This week I accomplished one of my goals - after entering the TARA Contest for four years, I finally finaled this year. I was stunned and shocked when I got the call a couple of days ago and heard the news that my entry in the historical category was a finalist. It's not my first final, but it certainly rates right up 'there' as an achievement in my writing career. It might have something to do with stubbornness or, as one of my friends said in a congratulatory email today, dogged determination.

I don't believe in coincidences, but lately I've had several people wonder how I can go on and on, year after year, and never give up writing my stories. Giving up has never been an option for me - well, maybe I did throw in the towel once for ten days after a contest rejection, but I was so unhappy that I opened the computer and jumped back into my story. By the way, it's the story that just finaled.

I actually love writing, spending time with my characters, all the great friends and experiences at Nationals. Then there is that other thing, my addiction. It's my excuse for having Gerard Butler photos in my computer and a few other places. ;) He is, after all, my inspiration for creating amazingly charismatic heroes.

I prefer calling it determined and not stubborn, but either way it's a trait that I'm proud of.

10 comments:

Denise Pattison said...

Paisley,

I think of it as "I can't not write." When these characters and scenes keep running around in your head, your dreams are filled with scene after scene, dialogue that makes you laugh or cry in your sleep--well, you're a writer because it's so much a part of you that you can't get away from it.

You've deserved to final long before this and I know it. I've read your work. Now, let's hope the final judge can see how good you are. I have faith in you, lady.

Dawn Marie Hamilron said...

Congratulations, Paisley. I wish you the best of luck in the finals.

How could you not write? If you're anything like me, as soon as you stop, the characters in your head complain in a loud, annoying way.

Jill James said...

Congrats, Paisley. Best of luck in the finals. Just keep writing those stories! It makes each day a little bit funner.

Paisley Kirkpatrick said...

Thanks, Denise. I always treasure your support. I think my synopsis is close to being finished now. YAY! At least I am not panicking about it anymore.

Paisley Kirkpatrick said...

You are so right, Dawn Marie. I hate it when they are knocking on the inside of my head with all of these ideas on how to run their own lives. It's the silence when they are not happy that I hate.

Paisley Kirkpatrick said...

A little bit funner - I like that Jill. It's like spending time with friends, isn't it. I feel sorry for those who don't carry characters in their head. Muse is beautiful.

Mona Risk said...

Paisley, CONGRATULATIONS on being a finalist in the TARA. I understand what you're saying!

So many times I've decided that I couldn't cope with the stress anymore, but writing a story is what soothe my stress. Writing is an obsession, a pleasure, a lovely addiction. Keep writing Paisley.

Mona Risk said...

By the way Paisley,
Congratulations. You are on of my winners on Voices blog yesterday.

Please choose any of my ebooks: To Love A Hero, French Peril, Babies in the Bargain, Rx for Trust or Rx in Russian.

Paisley Kirkpatrick said...

WOW, Mona, that's great. I'd love French Peril. I have a Kindle but don't know how to download books unless I do it through Amazon. They set up the account for me so I need some teaching. Thank you, Mona.

Josie said...

Paisley,
Congrats on your final. You and I share the same perspective on this crazy business called writing. I can't give up, either.