Wise Words

Recently, I read an article in the Romance Writers Report written by author Barbara Samuel (www.barbarasamuel.com) called Serving The Work. The article is aimed at writers, but I think the wisdom in it rings true for most any type of work anyone chooses to do. Her words are thought-provoking and simple, and I can't say them any better. So here are a few quotes from the article that have stayed on my mind. I hope they will speak to you, as well.

Ms. Samuel writes:

"What I do care about is honest writing, about giving whatever work you're doing the whole of your attention and passion."

"The point is to do it honestly, with your whole heart. Be passionate. Love the work."

"Serving the work, writing the right stories, taking the time to craft them -- whatever they are -- is what makes it worthwhile in the long run. There are no guarantees, of course. Pursuing art does not offer any, any more than life itself does."

And this quote from author Jean Rhys who published several novels in the 1920s and 1930s: "All of writing is a huge lake. There are great rivers that feed the lake, like Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky. And there are mere trickles, like Jean Rhys. All that matters is feeding the lake. I don't matter. The lake matters. You must keep feeding the lake."

Have a great day! I'm off to feed the lake.

Jenny