http://www.flickr.com/photos/dorkmaster/28916406/
This morning, as I was taking two of my little “ducklings” to a morning event, we were stopped mid-road by a mama duck guiding her babies across the street. It was the most precious sight! There were about nine little ducklings trailing behind their mama. When they reached a curb, up the mama went, quite effortlessly, and off she went, waddling ahead. The babies, however, couldn’t get up on the curb. It took the mama a while to realize her ducklings weren’t behind her. Finally, she did a U-turn. Realizing they couldn’t traverse the curb, she joined them down in the street and nudged them another couple feet ahead. Then up she went again. And they tried again. Oh, how they tried! By this time, we were cheering madly for the ducklings. “Come on, you can do it!” Finally, the first one got up, then another, and another, and another. One by one they tackled the giant curb, which seemed impossible even from where we sat in the minivan. It finally got to the smallest duckling at the rear. I thought for sure he was the runt and out of luck. What would become of the poor little ducky? (My 7-year-old offered to take it home if it didn’t make it.) Well, he had to try a few times, his little feathers fluttering like crazy, but on about the fourth try, he made it. We were hooting and hollering by this time. As the ducks all waddled and skittered across the grass (which was no doubt greener than where they’d come from), we finally moved along to our destination.
What a delightful way to start our morning, right in the middle of our city. What a daring mama. What courageous little ducklings.
What struck me about this sight was the confidence the mama duck had in her ducklings. She seemed certain they would make the curb. I wasn’t so sure. That curb looked gargantuan next to those little ducks. But they did it – they did it! And when they did, I felt like dancing. I felt the triumph of that moment for those fuzzy little critters. I felt it for my own life as well.
This week has been a good one in my writing life. I’ve received several pieces of fun, writing-related news which has set my week right. I also received a rejection from a publisher, but with an encouraging note attached. Each of these revelations has represented the gargantuan curbs that have challenged me, and the hard work I’ve done to traverse them. And I’ve been reminded in numerous ways that I’m not alone in any of this, even if I oftentimes work in isolation.
Just like the ducks, writers need one another for company and to keep each other feeling confident and worthy of our unique writing journey. A steadfast mentor is always somewhere up ahead trusting we’ll get it right, even if it takes a while. And our fellow ducklings are nearby, too. Some are a few webbed-feet ahead of us; some a few behind. We are all on an amazing, dramatic journey, both together and apart from one another.
To top off the good news this week (which I’ll share just as soon as I can), two artist friends and I have collaborated on working our way through challenges in the book, The Artist’s Way. We’re having a wonderfully productive three-way email conversation, and plotting an “Artist Date Extravaganza” at some point in the near future. Yes, just like those ducklings, our writing community is terribly important if we’re to conquer the curb, fuzzy flying feathers and all.
Q4U: What have you done this week to increase the odds of mastering the curb?
Oh!!! What a precious picture you painted in my mind this morning, Roxane!! And our posts really compliment one another well today. As writers we do have so many curbs to climb, and you’re right, the grass always does look greener on the other side! 🙂 But there will aways be more and bigger curbs facing us. I need others to come along side me and cheer me on!
And, like your family in the van, OUR friends and families sit and watch and groan when we slide back down and tell us to pick ourselves back up and try again. “You can do it!” they cheer because they truly WANT us to make it. Yay, for the ducklings!
And, yes, our Artist’s Way journey is already adding sparks to the fire. I hope we can get together soon to celebrate the successes!
You painted the picture so well, I could fell your jubilation and delight. What a great mama YOU are for stopping and relishing the moment with your own little ducklings. And a great insight for us writers.
I’ve read and enjoyed The Artist’s Way. I should pick it up again! Your email convo sounds so stimulating. I admire the way you seek these kind of things out. They are so important.
Still smiling about your great writing news and how it all came about! 🙂 It is well deserved, my friend.
Oh, Roxane, I think this is in my top five favorites of all your posts! What a wonderful, wonderful vision you created! (and I love the teaser you left at Peace Garden Mama)
I can’t wait to hear your good news. I’m happy for you already, because you are happy. This post radiates warmth and friendship. I can almost see you smiling behind the words! 🙂
Absolutely fantastic post, Rox. I think God was telling you something and I’m glad you shared His message with the rest of us.
Blessings,
Marie
Thanks for stopping by gals. Marie, you hit it on the head. I was planning a completely different post, but I could NOT get that visual of that mama duck and her babies out of my mind. It was such a thrilling and unexpected moment. I do think God often reaches us through nature, gives us the images to teach us how to be better human beings, how to best do His will. It was strange writing an unplanned post, when I had such a great idea before the ducks entered in, but I knew I had to go with that because it was so fresh and exhilarating. Now I feel very affirmed in my choice, and still have the other post in my back pocket for another time. 🙂
I love your story!
It’s interesting to view it from the point of the cheerleader mama as well as the tiny, frustrated duckling! Bravo!
One very wonderful thing I’ve done is to make time to get to know other writers on the journey–like you! So glad to begin to get to know you. We do need each other in this world, indeed.
What a precious story! I love seeing ducklings following their mama. It’s so sweet!
I haven’t read The Artist’s Way, but I love the exercises and challenges in Julia Cameron’s The Right to Write. I’m eager to find out how it’s going for you! I think I might to pick it up for myself and try that creative journey some time. 🙂
What a sweet story. We do need each other! I have a good friend who has written a really fantastic book. She’s been querying and getting some rejections. I think it’s good to have friends around to remind her that her work is great, especially when she gets discouraged.
Congratulations on conquering your giant curb, Roxane! I think that many writers, pubbed or not, face giant curbs. At that point there are two choices, give up or keep trying until you make it. Having others around to cheer you on helps, but it’s on YOU to keep putting forth the effort and give them something to cheer.
Congratulations on your MEAT AND POTATOES blog award, my friend.
” “This prestigious award goes to a particular group of wise and experienced bloggers who have proven themselves over the course of time, trials, and tribulations.”
You can stop by my blog and get it. 🙂
Yes, we all need each other. Are we not in the same boat? Natalie: tell your friend to frame those rejections! Tell her to pick a frame that fits her personality. The more spunk, the better. That is what I intend to do. The rejections won’t seem so intimidating because they will be in a nice frame–plus I figure it would be a great motivator to press forward because when she finally reaches publication it will be a treasure–more like a trophy to her success. Most important when she looks at it she will be reminded that she had the gumption to press forward when things seemed glum and gloomy. Hurrah!
Rebecca, my sentiments exactly. Still tickled by the fact that we’ve crossed paths!
Laura, it’s my second go-around so I’m reviewing more this time, but it’s definitely worth the read. I’ve referred this book to many who are serious about the writing life. You’d be a great fit.
Natalie, what a wonderful friend your friend has in you! Sometimes, all we need is that one bright voice telling us we just haven’t found the right editor for our work yet. 🙂 Keep encouraging her! (I know it’s a given…)
Sia, you’re awesome. Thanks for bestowing such a hearty award upon my blog. I’m honored! I’ll post it on Peace Garden Mama, where I display my awards.
And Angela, wonderful to see a new face here. Sounds like you are one of those cheerleader types that we all love to have around. Thanks for lending your megaphone to the voices here!