Inspired by the Vision of Success by Guest Blogger Missy Tippens
Have you ever walked into a bookstore (or grocery store or Wal-Mart) and spotted a book on the shelf written by someone you know? Maybe a friend from your local RWA chapter or even a critique partner? And then you imagined what your cover would look like, and how your name would look in print. Or imagined how excited your family would be to see it sitting in a real store where real people could see it.
Have you ever heard a first sale story that gave you chill bumps? And then you imagined how you would cry when you got The Call from an editor. You could almost hear the words, “We’d like to offer you a contract…” You could almost feel the champagne bubbles on your tongue from the celebration.
Have you ever attended a book signing and envisioned yourself sitting there—knowing exactly which pen you would use and what you would write? And dare you admit, you may have even practiced your signature?) :)
If you’ve done these things (aw, come on, admit it!), then you’ve envisioned success. And what’s more inspiring than the vision of success?!
It’s so hard sometimes to keep a positive attitude after a rejection (whether unpublished or published). But you have to keep picturing that contract, that cover, that book signing. Then you have to envision the second book. And third. It’s like dangling a carrot out in front of you so you won’t quit.
Keep moving forward. Keep dreaming. Focus on the positive. And I bet you’ll find the inspiration to keep writing.
Missy Tippens first published in 2004--a short story included in Blessings of Mossy Creek. After 10 years of pursuing her dream, she finally sold a full-length novel to Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Her first book, Her Unlikely Family, was a February release. Her second, His Forever Love, is due out in June 2009.
Have you ever heard a first sale story that gave you chill bumps? And then you imagined how you would cry when you got The Call from an editor. You could almost hear the words, “We’d like to offer you a contract…” You could almost feel the champagne bubbles on your tongue from the celebration.
Have you ever attended a book signing and envisioned yourself sitting there—knowing exactly which pen you would use and what you would write? And dare you admit, you may have even practiced your signature?) :)
If you’ve done these things (aw, come on, admit it!), then you’ve envisioned success. And what’s more inspiring than the vision of success?!
It’s so hard sometimes to keep a positive attitude after a rejection (whether unpublished or published). But you have to keep picturing that contract, that cover, that book signing. Then you have to envision the second book. And third. It’s like dangling a carrot out in front of you so you won’t quit.
Keep moving forward. Keep dreaming. Focus on the positive. And I bet you’ll find the inspiration to keep writing.
Missy Tippens first published in 2004--a short story included in Blessings of Mossy Creek. After 10 years of pursuing her dream, she finally sold a full-length novel to Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Her first book, Her Unlikely Family, was a February release. Her second, His Forever Love, is due out in June 2009.
Labels: inspiration to write, Missy Tippens
posted by Mo H @ 8:46 AM
23 Comments:
Missy,
Thanks for blogging for the posse today!
I will admit I have daydreamed about being such a success that I end up on the Oprah show. :)
What about the rest of you? How do you envision success? Does anyone else dream of being on Oprah?
I've dreamed of Oprah, too! LOL I've also dreamed of seeing my name on some big bestseller list.
But more than any of those things, I've dreamed of the Rita! I WANT ONE OF THOSE STATUES! Have you ever held one? It's really heavy! I drooled over Linda Goodnight's this year. I guess I'll enter my book next year and then sit on pins and needles for months til the conference. :)
Missy
You know, ever since I got my first book published, I have people say, "You ought to try and get on Oprah."
I always act wide-eyed and say, "Wow, I never thought of that."
Like every author doesn't think of that!!!!!!!!!!
Nice post, Missy.
I'll interweave visions of my success with visions of myself as thin. Haven't had much luck with visualizing thin but maybe success will work out better. :)
Yes, Missy, I have imagined all of those things!! I found a publishing contract and I printed it off and filled in the blanks. I have it hanging on the wall in front of me every day while I write. I also have a picture of the RITA on that wall! :)
Thanks for coming today! And I can't wait to see you on Oprah!
I confess, Missy, I've dreamed about all those things! Except I already have my "Rita" -- LOL!!! The year I was a Golden Heart finalist, there were little foil-wrapped chocolate Ritas on every seat. I saved mine and it's still in the fridge!
Great post, Missy.
I totally practiced my signature. :D
Mo: I have to admit, I haven't pictured myself on Oprah. But I do imagine myself on the NYT bestseller list.
Myra: Rita-shaped chocolates... I love it!
Missy,
I love reading about others' successes. When another writer lands an agent, gets a request for a full or receives The Call, I get inspired.
As one of the 2008 GH finalists, I'm part of a talented group of writers and soon-to-be published authors who call ourselves the Pixie Chicks. Sharing in the excitement as twelve of my fellow Pixies were contracted for twenty-six books and three shorts (so far) has served to motivate me to keep on writing.
Because I've seen one Pixie offered a contract after a five-house auction and another a two-book, hardcover, line-launching series debut, I know incredible things really do happen. I'm encouraged to dream bigger dreams for myself.
OK. Confession. I haven't imagined a multiple book hardcover deal after several houses duke it out to have the honor of publishing me, but I have seen a cover in my mind's eye with my name on it. Sweet!
Mary, I love it! I'll focus on thinking thin thoughts, and voila, the next thing I know, I'll be on the NYT list (with my category romance, no less!) and will have a Rita appear on my shelf ;)
Diversionary tactics. Gotta love it. :)
Theresa, what a great idea!! Actual physical items to inspire you! Right on the wall where you write.
Was it Jim Carrey who wrote a check to himself for a million dollars or something like that? Look at him now!
Missy
How cute, Myra! Well, I guess they either didn't do it for my year, or else I ate mine! If so, I wish I had saved it. bummer.
Maybe I can fashion one from foil to place on the shelf. :) Sounds like a project for my kids. :)
Missy
Hi, Esri. Thanks for admitting to practicing your sig. LOL I did the same thing. :)
Missy
Hi, Keli. It is amazing to be a part of a group of GH finalists--as the Noodlers well know! :) It's definitely inspiring to watch the group count off the sales. I was a finalist in 2006, and we had an amazing number booted out of the Golden Network that year. My sale wasn't until the following year, but it was so exciting to be a part of it.
Missy
Hey, Missy, great inspirational post!
GO PIXIE CHICKS!
Keli, you are so right. The Chicks are a great group of talented, supportive and genuinely sweet writers. The successes so far have gone a long way toward keeping me in the game.
Theresa, I love the framed contract idea. Great inspiration.
I will confess I have visualized my first book signing. The wonderful Nicola Cornick sent me a pen from the Jane Austen Centre in Bath. She said it was to use in my first book signing. I have it on my writing desk to keep me working!
Oprah had not occurred to me! (Yikes, I'm getting bad hair anxiety with that visualization.)
But auctions and contracts and covers and signings are part of how I hold the dream. I also think a lot about "my" readership. What a rewarding thing to build a world and have others enjoy it!
Louisa,
Your pen story reminds me of a souvinir coffee mug I bought in Salem, Mass. at The House of the Seven Gables. It has a quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne:
"And here I sat a long, long time, waiting patiently for the world to know me..."
It gave me chill bumps when I saw it. I use the mug every day that I know I'm going to be writing new words. It truly inspires me.
Mo, I think I bought you one of those mugs, too! (She's my cp) :)
Missy
Oops. I meant souvenir.
Kelli said:
I love reading about others' successes. When another writer lands an agent, gets a request for a full or receives The Call, I get inspired.
When I was getting very close and my friends were selling, I realized that their success was good news for me. I wasn't sure how, but I knew it was good news for me. After I started that kind of positive thinking, I sold, too! Within a matter of weeks.
Diane, that's a good point. We can all build each other up in the business.
I'm part of the Seekerville blog, and our motto is "No woman left behind." :) So far, we have like 9 out of 15 published or contracted. And we started off by meeting in unpubbed contests--kept coming up against each other in the finals. :)
Missy
Missy, I believe in visualizing what you want to have happen. But too often I dwell on less happy scenerios. God and I are working on that. :-)
I dream of Michael Landon, Junior making Courting Miss Adelaide into a made for TV movie. :-) Hey, why not dream big? I also dream of winning a Rita.
Janet
Thanks for the neat post!
Janet
I love it, Janet! My hubby keeps saying he can envision my book as a movie. I'll have to put him in touch with Michael Landon, Jr. :)
Missy
I'll probably check in one more time tonight. But I wanted to be sure to thank all of you Noodlers for having me!! I enjoyed being here today.
Missy
Missy, your book reminds me of an inspy version of The Waitress.
Thanks for sharing.
I didn't see that, Tina. I'll have to check it out. :)
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