So my revised goal for March is to get through 11 of the limericks. I am also on target to get my character sheets done for the main characters of my novel. I may, however, be putting off writing the novel until the July Camp Nanowrimo. I have a few short story ideas that I would like to get down on paper first. But I haven't fully decided yet. I'll update here once I decide.
Now on to the inspiration of the post. I was perusing some blogs and I came across two fantastic quotes by Neil Gaiman:
- When things get tough, this is what you should do: Make good art. I’m serious. Husband runs off with a politician — make good art. Leg crushed and then eaten by a mutated boa constrictor — make good art. IRS on your trail — make good art. Cat exploded — make good art. Someone on the Internet thinks what you’re doing is stupid or evil or it’s all been done before — make good art. Probably things will work out somehow, eventually time will take the sting away, and that doesn't even matter. Do what only you can do best: Make good art. Make it on the bad days, make it on the good days, too.
- I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something. So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life. Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever.
Its amazing how creative endeavors help me reduce stress, but sometimes the fear of failure keeps me from being creative. So I think one of my ongoing goals will be to make mistakes and not let tough things get in the way. I'll keep you updated.
