“It seems to be a law of nature, inflexible and inexorable, that
those who will not risk cannot win.” – John Paul Jones
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky.
Ask any artist and to a one they’ll tell
you that their hobby/profession is crammed with doubt. Can I do this? Can I
finish it? Will anyone like it? Will I
like it? The very nature of art carries with it a significant level of risk
because you’re putting yourself into a product that is presented to the masses.
And, to be honest, the masses can be pretty judgmental at times.
Finding the courage to take that kind
of risk, however, can come from many different sources.
Recently, the chorus I sing with had
the chance to perform Andrew Lippa’s “I Am Harvey Milk”. Considered a “concept
opera”, the piece chronicles major milestones of the late politician’s life. At
one point near the end, Anne Hutchinson, from Act 1, comes on stage to provide Harvey
encouragement.
"Leap.
You may get wet.
You may get lost.
You may get high.
But leap and you never have to die.”
Powerful words, but also excellent
advice for writers. Yes, it requires planning, honing, and editing, but writing
also requires faith. In yourself and in your story. More important, you have to
believe in what you’re writing and your ability to do so before you write it. Then
you have to make the leap and actually do it.
There are a lot of people out there
living with Could Have. Could have been a gymnast. Could have been a dancer. Could
have been an accountant. Could have married that person. Dreams, ideals, hopes,
all left behind because it required a leap of faith they couldn’t make.
Then there are those who leaped once
only to crash and burn. A rejection letter on a manuscript, a poor review for
their role in a play, laughter from those around them as they stumbled asking
someone out on a date. Rather than “climb that climb” once again, they set
aside their dream for safer ventures. But they look back from time to time and
think “Could have.”
Art is scary. Then again, so are all
things worth doing in life. It’s the scythe that separates living from merely
existing. Those moments that become seared in your mind, both good and bad,
come with inherent risk . From writing to dancing to telling someone you love
them, every step along the way is marked with the possibility of success or
failure. But being willing to make that leap, to risk the consequences or
benefits that come with it, define who we are.
You won’t know what you can become if
you don’t leap.
Bio:
Joshua Roots is a car enthusiest, beekeeper, and storyteller. He enjoys singing with his a cappella chorus, golf, and all facets of Sci-Fi/Fantasy. He's still waiting for his acceptance letter to Hogwarts and Rogue Squadron. He and his wife will talk your ear off about their bees if you let them.
Paranormal Chaos, the final book in The Shifter Chronicles, is available wherever digital books are sold.
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