It's hard work AND luck. I think about this dichotomy a lot as a parent of disabled kids. Others with the same diagnosis can do more ... or less. When people praise me for my "hard work," I think: 'But other moms work just as hard....'
Congratulations, Laura! So happy for you. I don't know about luck. I guess I'm in the same camp as Suzy; luck rarely falls from the sky. And you've worked hard to develop your craft and hone champion the work of others. Enjoy your day!
Thanks, Mary! I definitely felt lucky to win a basket at our school auction. Just a name pull win. Nothing to do with me. But with my creative work, and earning opportunities, some is how the stars align as it were, but a lot is sitting down at the desk, doing the work. If I hadn't committed the time, energy, and resilience-after-failure, there'd be no "luck."
The first word that comes to mind is perseverance. Sticking with it. For someone who started at 14 and is now in her seventy-ninth year, I feel mostly blessed that after the longest of apprenticeships, I have three novels, one of which will be published in spring of 2023. I could have never done this alone and, you, Laura, have not only been an inspiration but a beloved companion along the way. Congratulations to you. And, thank you for starting this conversation. I too am so happy for you.
So many congratulations, Dian! Your perseverance is an inspiration. I know you to be a gifted writer, but you’re also so dedicated to your work. I look forward to reading your book in 2023.
Thanks, Mary. I hope you know you are a gifted writer as well. Your novel sits inside my thoughts every time I drive through Linton. Keep writing, Mary. You have a magnificent story to tell. Again, thank you.
Dian, yes. Perseverance! You are the embodiment of this and always an inspiration. You have reminded me, over and over again, that sitting at the desk, opening the file, building a story and revising that story, is what matters most. Where the joy is. And it's something we can control, unlike publishing, which has so many moving pieces and does require a bit of luck and opportunity to find a taste match and an audience. Congratulations on your 2023 novel! I am so excited for you.
While I think luck is always a small part of the equation, hard work increases the odds. Exponentially. Not only have you worked hard in a “direct” way, but your indefatigable, indominable spirit has clearly bolstered those odds. You are a champion for art and artists, and we are all so thrilled for you. So, I suppose I’m in the camp that claims people make luck; it rarely falls from the sky. Congratulations, Laura! I’m so happy for you.
I realize, too, I feel differently about luck depending on where I am in my career and achieving what I want. Luck plays a role when the publisher chosen to judge the publishing fellowships makes books that are similar to the books you make. It certainly played the starring role on me winning a basket at the school auction! But I love your comment that hard work bolsters the odds. It's never a guarantee, of course. And I do love to champion art and artists. It's my favorite thing.
I'm enjoying your words, and feel "lucky" to call you friend in this virtual space.
It does feel lucky when something good, or many somethings good, happen to us, but it does take more than luck. Most of us have worked hard for years to be so fortunate. I'm very happy for your hard-earned successes. Keep going!
I feel lucky to call you a friend too! I haven't figured out why that feels different to me--maybe it's just that meeting people can be lucky, to find a person you admire and can connect with. The act of creating/maintaining a friendship, whether in person or online, is part of the process, the act of (for lack of a better term) friending. Because people aren't static. I love: "Most of us have worked hard for years to be so fortunate." Exactly. I feel lucky but I know how many rejections and disappointments and novel manuscripts I've powered through to "feel lucky" now.
Speaking of luck... I entered everyone who commented (including those who commented privately by email) into a random number generator and the winner of the "You're So Lucky" art piece is Dian Greenwood! Congrats, Dian.
It's hard work AND luck. I think about this dichotomy a lot as a parent of disabled kids. Others with the same diagnosis can do more ... or less. When people praise me for my "hard work," I think: 'But other moms work just as hard....'
YES. So true. Thanks for sharing this, Shasta.
Congratulations, Laura! So happy for you. I don't know about luck. I guess I'm in the same camp as Suzy; luck rarely falls from the sky. And you've worked hard to develop your craft and hone champion the work of others. Enjoy your day!
Thanks, Mary! I definitely felt lucky to win a basket at our school auction. Just a name pull win. Nothing to do with me. But with my creative work, and earning opportunities, some is how the stars align as it were, but a lot is sitting down at the desk, doing the work. If I hadn't committed the time, energy, and resilience-after-failure, there'd be no "luck."
The first word that comes to mind is perseverance. Sticking with it. For someone who started at 14 and is now in her seventy-ninth year, I feel mostly blessed that after the longest of apprenticeships, I have three novels, one of which will be published in spring of 2023. I could have never done this alone and, you, Laura, have not only been an inspiration but a beloved companion along the way. Congratulations to you. And, thank you for starting this conversation. I too am so happy for you.
So many congratulations, Dian! Your perseverance is an inspiration. I know you to be a gifted writer, but you’re also so dedicated to your work. I look forward to reading your book in 2023.
Thanks, Mary. I hope you know you are a gifted writer as well. Your novel sits inside my thoughts every time I drive through Linton. Keep writing, Mary. You have a magnificent story to tell. Again, thank you.
Dian, yes. Perseverance! You are the embodiment of this and always an inspiration. You have reminded me, over and over again, that sitting at the desk, opening the file, building a story and revising that story, is what matters most. Where the joy is. And it's something we can control, unlike publishing, which has so many moving pieces and does require a bit of luck and opportunity to find a taste match and an audience. Congratulations on your 2023 novel! I am so excited for you.
While I think luck is always a small part of the equation, hard work increases the odds. Exponentially. Not only have you worked hard in a “direct” way, but your indefatigable, indominable spirit has clearly bolstered those odds. You are a champion for art and artists, and we are all so thrilled for you. So, I suppose I’m in the camp that claims people make luck; it rarely falls from the sky. Congratulations, Laura! I’m so happy for you.
I realize, too, I feel differently about luck depending on where I am in my career and achieving what I want. Luck plays a role when the publisher chosen to judge the publishing fellowships makes books that are similar to the books you make. It certainly played the starring role on me winning a basket at the school auction! But I love your comment that hard work bolsters the odds. It's never a guarantee, of course. And I do love to champion art and artists. It's my favorite thing.
Hi Laura,
I'm enjoying your words, and feel "lucky" to call you friend in this virtual space.
It does feel lucky when something good, or many somethings good, happen to us, but it does take more than luck. Most of us have worked hard for years to be so fortunate. I'm very happy for your hard-earned successes. Keep going!
Cathy
I feel lucky to call you a friend too! I haven't figured out why that feels different to me--maybe it's just that meeting people can be lucky, to find a person you admire and can connect with. The act of creating/maintaining a friendship, whether in person or online, is part of the process, the act of (for lack of a better term) friending. Because people aren't static. I love: "Most of us have worked hard for years to be so fortunate." Exactly. I feel lucky but I know how many rejections and disappointments and novel manuscripts I've powered through to "feel lucky" now.
Speaking of luck... I entered everyone who commented (including those who commented privately by email) into a random number generator and the winner of the "You're So Lucky" art piece is Dian Greenwood! Congrats, Dian.