Enough?

 In the cinematically spectacular movie musical, “The Greatest Showman”, a song “Never Enough” is featured in a scene with opera star, Jenny Lind. Re-watching this movie whilst seeing in the New Year enabled me to consciously connect the lyrics with the character’s own plight of never quite being enough. This started a spiral of related thoughts around living life in the shadow of our self-inflicted comparisons and how by doing so, we can never quite match up. That can include our writing.

Photo Credit: Pixabay Startup, Start-up People Silicon

I remember being disheartened after a writing conference one year when a guest speaker confidently assured every person they could apply the techniques being modelled and write as brilliantly as the examples they had stepped through. Meanwhile, my head was in a muddle as I realised with startling clarity I did not (and never would) approach my creative process in the way they recommended for achieving “next level” penmanship.

Was that it? The “never enough” moment? Was it possible that no matter how hard I worked at my writing, it would never quite pass muster?

Have you ever been there? Ever felt you’ve been weighed and measured as an author and found wanting? Have you ever been tempted to knock off those infuriatingly persistent characters and put the pen down permanently?

Yeah, funny thing that …

Have you also found stories you’ve determined to abandon forever have this annoying way of prising their way back into your life? Characters you thought you’d discarded somehow keep popping up with new challenges for you to unravel? I know just what you mean.

But is it enough?

Despite the bumps and bruises of disappointment and insufficiency acquired along the way, I have come to realise that even though I may never be a Pulitzer Prize winner, not one of those authors could ever be me. (They might be heaving a sigh of relief at this, lol, but it’s true.)

I’m not suggesting we should stop investing in our craft or honing our skills. It’s important to receive constructive input, pursue learning, and reach for excellence. But if we’re constantly measuring ourselves against other authors, we can all too easily focus on what we are not, and get in the habit of rehearsing our failings and dismissing our strengths.

But speaking of writing conferences … at another event a guest speaker reminded attendees of the importance of being faithful with the writing gift given to them—whatever that gift and its purpose looked like. 

If our primary goal is to emulate or “meet the standard of” a particular writer, we will never be enough, because we will only ever be ourselves. But the thing is, we’re not just in this writing gig for our own gratification, and that should make a world of difference. Through Him, our voice IS “enough” to pen the creative works we alone have been gifted to write. Our voice. Our purpose. Breathed to life in the “now” timing of the Holy One. 

Photo Credit: Pixabay Comfreak, a-book-landscape-nature-wind

So wherever this post finds you in your writing journey, I’m officially giving you permission to reflect on and rehearse your strengths, your writing wins (big or small), and remind yourself that it is through your voice the words you carry will be birthed into this world. Embrace it.

Rehearsing the wins (with Mazzy Adams)

Adele Jones writes fringe and near science fiction for young adults, historical fiction, poems, inspirational non-fiction and short fictional works. Her YA novel, Integrate, first book in the Blaine Colton trilogy, received the 2013 CALEB Prize for unpublished manuscript. As a speaker she draws practical parallels from social issues, faith and humanity, for meaning in life’s journey. For more see www.adelejonesauthor.com 

Pinterest : A Thousand Words

by K A Hart


Sometimes I wish I’d pursued the art of painting or drawing earlier in my life. Now, don’t get me wrong. I can whip up a beautiful and intricate landscape of rolling hills or a spring garden brimming with colourful flowers and doting bees. My talents even extend to the chaos of war where hundreds of warriors clash for their king’s victory. 

There’s just a small problem. 

I’m the only one who can see it because it’s all in my mind.

As a child, my best friend and I lived mostly outdoors. We had overactive imaginations. We’d gallivant across the yard and play elaborate games, saving animals from bushfires and cyclones. Our bikes were shape-shifters. They’d transform into any animal we required for our daring rescues. Hay castles. Tractor monsters. Everything we could imagine was possible.

As I’ve grown older, it’s become harder to create those worlds. Worlds need to make sense. They need to have a purpose and I’ve become limited by my own experiences. I now need to write things down or the ideas become lost in the everyday rush and often, those thoughts written into words don’t fully capture what I’ve imagined.

That’s when I discovered Pinterest. Finally, some place to collect pictures, ideas, and information all into one place.

I can search through Pinterest and find almost any picture, article or website related to a keyword. I’ve then been able to set up files or boards where I can save them as pictures around a particular topic. As I’m a visual person, I’ve found it beneficial to set up boards for my novel ideas, character development, even possible locations. This has given me the ability to find pictures that look similar to my hero/heroine and the possible settings of their adventure (this has been invaluable as my WIP plays out in desert, forest and mountain scapes). I used to become stuck on how an action scene might look like. Not any more. 

I have to laugh at some of the things I’ve searched for on google. Who knew there were so many creative ways to drown someone … Maybe that’s why I like Pinterest so much. I can have a public board where anyone can see what goodies I’ve filed away or I can have secret boards. Every story I have written is hidden away from prying eyes. Even those I haven’t written yet. NO SPOILERS. I can always change them later to be public, so readers can see the thought process behind the novel.

When I’m not sure where to go with my story, I can add a friend to the board to help collaborate the obstacles my hero/heroine has to overcome. If I ever have the opportunity to co-author a novel, this would be a great way to correlate our ideas.

Writing can be very lonely and isolating if you let it. Most days I like it this way, though sometimes I’ve needed some guidance. I’ve joined a writing group of talented ladies who have encouraged, on an occasion nagged and for the better part, inspired me to reach beyond what I thought possible. If you haven’t yet joined one, now is the time to do so. But when we’ve all said our goodbyes and I sit back down at my laptop, I have those odd doubts as to why I’m doing this at all. There are so many inspiring pictures and words I’ve been able to capture, which help to remind me of this amazing gift God has given me.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NIV)

It’s great to be able to keep all my favourite blogs in one place. All those insightful ideas on how to enhance my writing and the words of encouragement from those who have travelled before me. 

I’ve found myself up at one or two in the morning, surfing the web for information about something vital to the success of my hero/heroine’s journey. Moon phases and their meaning have been a particularly sore subject for my WIP. I’ve been able to find quite a few articles and pictures around this subject. The ease in which I linked these to my chosen board for perusal later was amazing. No more keeping a tab open or saving the website to favourites - what if I didn’t like it?

I’ve never been short on ideas - I have enough novel outlines saved on my computer to last me at least a decade. Short stories however, aren’t my strong point and when I have writers block (yes, it’s a thing), Pinterest has been a great resource to help spark my imagination again.

I’ve said it before. I’m a visual person. I now have an entire wall filled with pictures I’ve found on Pinterest. It depicts the storyline of my WIP and helps me stay focused on the big picture. If you ever come to visit, I might just show you.

Still hesitant? Come and have a look at my Pinterest page kahartauthor. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Find fifty you like? You might just have a novel.

If you already use Pinterest, how has it helped you in your writing journey?








K A Hart's first short story, Stone Bearer, appears in Glimpses of Light and another soon to be released in one of the Missed Blessings anthologies. She is currently working on a fantasy novel.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kahartauthor/

Got Your Back

Author buddies, unite! Maybe that’s a bit melodramatic, but I can tell you now it’s great to not be doing the writing journey alone. Writing is often referred to as a solitary occupation, but over and again I’m reminded as a writer of the value of being in a writing community.  After some of the conversations with budding writers over this past weekend at Oz Comic-Con, I wonder if this is something we can sometimes take for granted. (For more about the Oz Comic-Con experience, drop on over to my blog.)

For those who are a little (or long!) way down the writing/publication road, can you remember being a newbie writer? That feeling of uncertainty, that sense of not knowing if you’d ever be published or if you were even good enough to be published. Ever. Add to that the steep learning curve of honing the craft. It can be a daunting mountain to climb. Once you’re published, there’s that rapid realisation (if you didn’t know beforehand) that the hardest work’s about to begin, with continuing the promotion and marketing you’ve been doing in the lead up to the release of your literary baby.

Let’s face it. Writing can be a tough gig, and unless you’re super famous, it’s not exactly the highest paying occupation … Now imagine doing that journey alone.

I love my writing group. You and I both know how much they feature in my blogs, and for good reason. They’re not only loyal and encouraging friends, but they’ve single-handedly (okay, multi-handedly) organised book launches, catered for workshops, offered financial counsel for events and got their hands dirty on many occasions to make writer gatherings a success. They’re also happy to act as critique partners and general champions of my writing, even when that book baby feels waaaay overdue. Yay for them! 😊

But the writing community reaches farther than that. Consider beta readers and editors, and let’s not kid ourselves. (Take it from someone who was a closet writer for over a decade.) If we’re not getting feedback on our work, firstly with critique partners, then with beta readers, our writing will never be challenged and it will never develop. Add to that the stroke (or 2000) of an editor’s pen, and you’re well on your way to improving your work. I don’t know any story that isn’t made better by a good edit by someone who isn’t being paid to stroke a writer’s ego. True, it can be painful, but it’s totally worth it in the long run.

What about publishers, or author services if you’re an Indie writer? Wow, that’s also a tough gig. How grateful I am to be guided by someone who knows about and takes care of ISBNs, distributors, bookstores etc. (Perhaps we should have ‘hug your publisher day’?) Hat off to those who do it themselves … although, if you’re in a community, you can also bounce ideas, problem solve etc. All the better when there's someone who can warn you about the pitfalls of vanity presses and such.

Where would we be without books stores and readers? There’s nothing quite like meeting new people in a bookstore or writing event generous enough to host you, and having the privilege of introducing potential readers to a story you’ve written. Even better is when those readers contact you or write a review to say how much they loved your work. (Oh, don’t forget reviewers!)

Long and short of it? Thank you for being part of my writing journey, and that of many other writers too. Whether we’re the equivalent of writing adolescents, grandparents, toddlers or newborns, we can each be a significant step in making someone else’s publication dream a reality. Pretty cool, right? Let’s never underestimate our part as writing community members. Now go forth and write!

Adele Jones is an award-winning Queensland author. She writes young adult and historical novels, poems, inspirational non-fiction and fictional short works, along with juggling family responsibilities and a ‘real job’ in the field of science. Her first YA novel Integrate was awarded the 2013 CALEB Prize for unpublished manuscript. Her writing explores issues of social justice, humanity, faith, natural beauty and meaning in life’s journey, and as a speaker she seeks to present a practical and encouraging message by drawing on these themes. For more visit www.adelejonesauthor.com or contact[@]adelejonesauthor.com

7Ks and Beyond

Are you presently grappling with a writing project? Do you feel you’ve hit a patch of resistance and wonder whether the work’s ever going to gain momentum? I’m in the process of readying my third YA manuscript, Activate, for professional edits. You might think by this stage of the YA series, the creative process would have great traction, but I must confess there’ve been many points of wrestling along that manuscript development path.

When contemplating some early revision challenges, I was reminded of a conversation I’d had with a friend who’d been doing a lot of long distance running. (Think half-marathons.) They mentioned how the 7Km mark still hurt, each and every time they hit it. (Personally, I think the 1Km mark is more where things start to bite ... but anyway ...) No matter how many times they ran longer distances, there was still a point where they had to break through fatigue and bodily resistance, before they’d find their rhythm and settle into their run.

I believe we’re called to share words that move hearts, change lives, and bring hope into a world where things don’t always seem hopeful. Resistance is a given. But my friend’s comment got me thinking. Maybe some of that grappling we experience when developing a manuscript beyond the initial raw draft, is a little like finding our writing rhythm.

A decade ago I began studying creative writing at a post-graduate level. This involved writing to set criteria, including submitting a proposal at the outset of a project, along with providing a sample of a VERY raw early draft. I swiftly learned that once I’d settled onto an idea, there just wasn’t time to mess about changing my mind if it seemed things weren’t working. Another valuable lesson was that I couldn’t edit nothing.

Often when we hit resistance in life, we’re tempted to jump out of the process; to change the topic; to run in the opposite direction. Our writing habits can reflect this general response. (Anyone else out there with half a dozen or more ‘first chapters’ hidden in a folder somewhere?)

As you might remember, I’m a great believe in timing, and resistance may also be an indicator that the timing isn’t quite right for a certain project. Yet, there is an element of discipline we must apply to our writing. I’m beginning to suspect that in every writing project, not matter how many writing years are under our belt, we’ll encounter a ‘7Km mark’ (or few!), where it can be tempting to give up and start something different. But just as sticking at a task eventually sees progress, I believe we grow as writers when we persist in the face of manuscript development challenges, especially when working to set criteria or topics.

Granted, there are times we need to put work aside for a season. To move forward, it’s also important to connect with other more experienced writers, seek feedback and invest in our craft. But if you feel you have a story to share and it’s just not coming together, maybe you’ve met your 7Km mark. Don’t give up. Your rhythm might be found just another kilometre away.

Queensland author Adele Jones writes young adult and historical novels, poetry and short inspirational, fiction and non-fiction works. Her first YA novel Integrate was awarded the 2013 CALEB Prize for unpublished manuscript. Her writing explores issues of social justice, humanity, faith, natural beauty and meaning in life’s journey. For more visit www.adelejonesauthor.com or contact@adelejonesauthor.com