I Dare You October 15, 2008
Posted by Becca in Write On Wednesday.trackback
It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult. ~Seneca
Or- to put it another way – what would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? Go skydiving? Become a doctor? Take up ballroom dancing or acting…hockey or figure skating?
What’s your wildest writing dream? Penning the biggest blockbuster since The DaVinci Code? or winning the Pulitzer Prize for a finely crafted work of fiction? And what’s stopping you from going after it?
Sitting in my bottom desk drawer are the manuscripts of two short novels completed for NaNoWriMo in 2006 and 2007. In my more generous moments, I think of them as rather good stories. More often, I think of all the revision and shaping they would require and am overwhelmed at the difficulty of that task.
So difficult, the task of revising a novel. Where does one even begin?
Much too difficult, really.
I don’t dare.
Yes, sitting here in my comfortable chair is safe and easy. But how often has it happened that, once ventured, much is gained. Where do I find the courage to open that drawer and make a start? What might happen if I did?
Many questions to consider, many dreams to ponder.
Can you make yours come true?
I dare you to try.
Write on.
Ooooooo Becca! This is a great prompt – and I am happy your wrists feel better. I have lots to think about – and will probably post later in the week.
This is my first year try the NaNoWriMo and I am very excited!
I am looking forward to all the responses to this prompt.
Hi, Becca,
Well, in the most legalistic sense possible, my post is still “allowable”, since it’s 11:58 p.m. on Tuesday! On the other hand, what I’ve written is relevant to last week’s prompt and this week’s, so I’ll let it stand for both.
This was difficult as can be to write, and I’d be really interested in feedback from anyone who has experienced the same sort of stunned internal silence.
Luckily, I feel I’m over the hump now, and being able to post this here for real writers to read feels really good. Thanks for such terrific prompts, and thanks to all who respond so beautifully!
http://shoreacres.wordpress.com/2008/10/14/surviving-the-guilt-reclaiming-the-gift/
Becca – Love this prompt, as always. http://www.andilit.com/?p=297
Another good one!
http://firmlyrooted.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-take-dare.html
Becca, Yay – you’re back! and feeling better? Good! I’m off to work pondering your excellent prompt today – this one is wide open. Will post later. Cheers!
Now that’s a cold water splash in the face if there ever was one.
Thanks. I needed that.
http://scobberlotch.blogspot.com/2008/10/you-never-know-today-could-be-day.html
My very first WOW! http://booktrash.wordpress.com/2008/10/15/write-on-wednesday/
This is a good post for the Chicken! I’m up at http://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2008/10/write-on-wednesday-dare-to-dream.html
So glad you are able to type again! Hope all the pain is gone!
Well, I’ve put up a post, of sorts: http://51stories.wordpress.com/2008/10/15/write-on-wednesday-mark-kermode-and-bayificiation/
Just take the stuff out of your drawer Becca: reviewing is one of the nicer parts of writing! That’s when the fun comes in and you can actually start to think about the words you use, the images and the structures, etc etc. But I agree, it can get quite tiresome, especially when you do it all the time for work and on work reports…
You can find my post this week here: http://keepthisonthedl.blogspot.com/2008/10/write-on-wednesday_15.html
Thanks for more to think about, Becca.
http://kimhaasdesign.wordpress.com/2008/10/15/write-on-wednesday-2/
Still thinking about this one because I haven’t fully answered the question but here’s a start: http://westcobich.wordpress.com/2008/10/16/write-on-wednesday-wildest-writing-dream/
Well, better late then never! Here’s my link: http://mymuseandme.blogspot.com/2008/10/this-weeks-write-on-wednesday-asks.html
Becca & Everyone ~ It worked! I seem to have turned the psychic corner! I just posted my response to THIS week’s prompt, and it doesn’t have a thing to do with hurricane Ike. Instead, it’s all about (gasp!) creativity and writing.
You can find it here: http://shoreacres.wordpress.com/2008/10/16/the-allure-of-failure/
I feel dared and it’s a good place to be challenged. I am spending this week away from my world In New York here in Tel Aviv, Israel and of course, I don’t travel anywhere without my mac and hopefully an internet connection.
I have both things up and working and the Mediterranean Sea just below me for inspiration and I am up early as usual with time to think and write and once again our prompt has stopped me in my tracks and I can’t begin to write yet, but I have been reading responses and I’m almost ready to leave my own.
I wonder where I will go…
Thanks Becca,
Bonnie
Wonderful prompt! And I finally have something up! Thanks so much, Becca.
I have to change the title to Write on Saturday!! Thanks, Becca. Hope your wrists are holding up.
http://qugrainne.com/2008/10/18/write-on-wednesday-surprises-on-wednesday-and/
Sorry I’m running so late. It’s almost time to Write on Wednesday for next week, but I have been thinking about this dare in Israel.
So here I am….
http://blk1.edublogs.org
Bonnie
What a great challenge, that’s for sure!