FREE KINDLE FOR PC

FREE KINDLE FOR PC
So you can read my books

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

HOW TO SING TO AN EMPTY HOUSE _ IWSG post


“The road to hell is paved 
with works-in-progress.”
—Philip Roth

 Beware of advice—even this.”
—Carl Sandburg


Despite the daunting increase in my workload, I decided to do one last A TO Z challenge.

Because of that increased workload, 

I could not visit my other friends doing it, and so my visitors were very few.

I understand.  

To receive visits, 
you must visit yourself.


 The blank page is a cruel adversary ... 


especially when no one 
is urging you to fill it.


I finished because it was a goal I set for myself, and I kept on to amuse myself with what I was writing.

Then, something occurred to me:

When you write something, you never know who it is going to affect, 

or how it could help someone who’s struggling and feeling alone, 

or how in a low moment in their life, desperately searching on Google for answers, 

they will come upon your words when they need them most. 


And despite what our culture 
would have us believe:
that metrics and stats 
matter above all else,
that the number of clicks 
tells the whole story.

Somehow, in some cosmic calculation, 

impacting one human being has got to be worth more than all the Unique Page Views and Shares and Likes in the world.

WHAT KEPT YOU GOING 
THIS A TO Z?

WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING 
WITH YOUR WRITING?

20 comments:

  1. Congrats on finishing the A-Z. I've done it a few times and it's not easy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Teresa. I sometimes find myself channeling Don Quixote!:-)

      Delete
  2. "When you write something, you never know who it is going to affect, or how it could help someone who’s struggling and feeling alone," Well said.

    Congrats on finishing the A-Z. I started on my A-Z roadtrip yesterday to visit blogs I've missed.

    Ronel visiting on Insecure Writer's Support Group day: Autumn Decisions

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the A to Z challenge, but there was no way I could participate this year. Too many littles running around.

    You know what keeps me going with my writing? The fan mail, facebook tags, tweets etc where people let me know how my books affect them. I agree, there's nothing better than knowing you've reached someone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never received fan mail, though I have fanned myself while writing! :-) Good for you to receive such great feedback!

      Delete
  4. Congrats on completing the A-Z. I'm just getting back to blogging so I skipped out this year. I do agree that personal connections are so important. Numbers are pretty meaningless really.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Except those numbers in our bank accounts! :-) Best of success with getting back to blogging!

      Delete
  5. I sat on the A to Z sidelines this year. Two books coming out in May just wouldn't allow me the time. Sorry your work load is such that you can't visit, but I do understand. Here's to Carl Sandburg's wisdom, those abandoned manuscripts, a manageable workload in your future, and--what the hell--life in general.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Best of luck with those 2 books coming out. If I can help with getting the word out on them, just contact me. :-)

      Delete
  6. Impacting one person is something we should all strive to do.

    Completing a personal goal is so rewarding. Good for you!

    I haven't participated in A to Z in 3 years, but I am considering doing it next year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Looking forward to your participation next year. :-)

      Delete
  7. That is very true. And if we brighten one person's day, it's all worth it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And who knows what good that will result in, right?

      Delete
  8. Never participated in A to Z but sounds good. Always good to have a purpose with what you're doing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love the Philip Roth quote.

    I hope I do affect people, or at least someone, to the good with what I write. It would give my writing more purpose!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We never know - perhaps never will know -- so I guess it pays to write as if our words will help someone somehow, right?

      Delete