“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work,” Stephen King.
I wonder how many times I’ve said to students, “Just write. I can’t help you from nothing. Write it. Then we can fix it.”
I’ve thought the same thing many times as I’ve sat in front of my computer, wondering if I am on the right track or what I should write next in my research. I always think, “Just write something. Dr. Gade (my dissertation adviser) can’t help you from nothing.”
You know what the great thing is about getting started versus just wishing or fretting? So many times you discover that what you’ve done is not nearly as bad as you expected. Many times what you’ve accomplished actually is quite good and you feel great for having done it.
So, what are you waiting on? Don’t let fear, uncertainty or excuses keep you from action!
Let’s Talk Nerdy!
What is something you need to be doing that you just can’t make yourself do? What is holding you back?
Dario_Ciriello says
GailTrishGentry profkrg Yup.
JMcCarthyEdS says
Great quote. I’d add Sir Ken Robinson’s about Teachers as Gardeners: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT_121H3kLY which is important to nurturing the first steps. S.King tends to hold mere mortals to his level of talent. I agree that anyone can rise to the occaision (although King would disagree based on his book “On Writing.” There are coaches for a reason. If we didn’t need teaching skills that help nurture success and growth in others, great sites like profkrg.com would lose purpose.
ccocca says
good quote. Inspiration is real, but you usually have to mine for it. The Paris Review just tweeted something about how writing a novel is like being in another realm or like being in love. Being “in novel.” True to an extent. But that sentiment is also too mystified. Being in love isn’t work…staying in love probably is.
profkrg says
ccocca I agree so much with your last line. It’s easy to start something. It’s not simple to keep it going.
profkrg says
JodiOkun Thanks, Jodi! Have a great day! Stay warm!
JodiOkun says
.profkrg 🙂 You too!!!
JennGHanford says
profkrg You bet, Kenna. I confess to being a Stephen King fan from way back. Your post is great!
Bakeca xincontriadulti says
I like the article
sjmcBruceSmith says
profkrg As Garrison Keillor said, Get up and do what needs to be done.