Drop the Ego & Write What You Want

 It is said some people come into your life and quickly go, others stay a while and leave footprints on your soul. 

My late friend and writing buddy left a footprint I carry with me in my writing: Leave your ego in the back seat.

Translation? Don't let the worry of what others think stop you from writing your story. 

The ego is that thing between us and others. What will they think if I write this? Will they think I'm gross? A freak? Some kind of weirdo? To which writers should respond; who cares! 

Some will love your stories, some will hate them. You can't please everyone so don't let it stop you. Write what you want, critics be damned. 

My one book, Soul Mates (A different kind of love story) had a first review that stole my heart, "I laughed, I cried, I loved this book." 

A few reviews down, "this is about animal abuse." 

Note: it's not about animal abuse it's a story of a dog who goes through a tough time and get's rescued. I've worked in dog rescue for over 15 years and have seen a lot of sad stories and helped to save hundreds of dogs. I've seen and heard of more animal abuse than anyone should ever see and none of it gets any easier. Your heart breaks a million times as you bring in the starving, hurt and mentally damaged pups. We make them better and adopt them into good homes. I'll take that heartbreak because it keeps their hearts beating. 

Did I respond to that comment about animal abuse? No. Did I want to? Of course! First of all I believe the reviewer didn't finish the book because the dog wins in the end. Besides that? I'm not here for their opinions. I just here to tell a story. Many stories. If If I take that stuff as a hit to my ego, that ego might whitewash my next story. 

Who cares what cousin Suzy might think or how your Auntie might judge your book poorly. They didn't write a book and you did. 

YOU DID IT! 

First they judge you, then they laugh, then they're telling people how they know you. 

So toss that ego in the back seat and write on. 

P.S. The dog in that picture is doing great. Here's what she looks like now. God Bless the Rescuers.

Loss of a Dear Friend and Quantum Physics

  

I've been in and out of many writing groups in my life. Years ago a new Barnes & Noble opened in our town and a Woman's Writing Group formed. I was one of the first members and remember sitting in a circle, nervous, unsure of what we would do, where this little group would take us.  Another member was Bernice Roberts. A sweet woman, older than me but with the most inquisitive mind I've ever been blessed to encounter. Bernice would read everything. She shared books on everything from writing to Quantum Physics. She was enthusiastic about life and learning.

One day she came in and told us had she read that to accomplish anything in life you had to "Put your ego in the back seat." Meaning if you let the ego, the thing that worries about what others think, rule your life, you'll never get anywhere. Now, years later and with the passing of my good friend Bernice, I realize it's those words that gave me the power to go Indie. When I worry about looking like a fool or not being good enough, I think of Bernice's advice, "Put your ego in the back seat."
Don't let a worrisome ego be the barometer of your goals. I think the "ego" statement says it all. Don't let "ego" be your copilot, throw the damn thing in the backseat and put your foot on the gas.

Thank you, Bernice Roberts. You taught us many things and your time here on earth will always be cherished by those you left behind.

Now I'd like to encourage everyone to read a book on Quantum Physics in memory of Bernice.