“Why not me?” vs “It Could’ve/Should’ve Been Me!”
by Missy Tippens
Last week my daughter and I were watching videos on YouTube.She shared an amazing video of a group doing a Taylor Swift song. (I wouldshare it, but it’s apparently been pulled.) The group was outstanding. The leadsinger, in my opinion, was as good as Taylor (in her own way).
And a profound thought hit me:
Why not me?
Now before you picture me on stage with a microphone, that's not what I'm talking about. :) I started thinking about artists...which led me to think of writers. When both are talented, what’s the difference between that young woman in the video and Taylor? What's the difference between an unpublished writer and a published one? Maybe opportunity, persistence, “luck.” I don’t believe in luck, but rather in God’sperfect timing. So maybe timing makes a difference. Maybe that young woman (or unpublished writer) will have her chance at later.
As I pondered what launches someone to success, I thought:BLOG IDEA!
Do we ask, “Why not me?” and then jump in to work hardon our writing, sending out submissions, trying new markets, taking risks? Ordo we tend to let opportunities slip by and then wonder what could’vehappened? Do we get our noses bent out of join and think, “It could’ve beenme.” Or worse, gripe with sour grapes and say, “It should’ve been me!”
I’m ashamed to say I’ve probably let opportunities slip byout of inaction or outright fear of acting.
For several months, as deadlines have allowed, I’ve workedon Saturday mornings on what I call my for-fun book. It’s a young adult story(I love reading YA and have done so for years!). When Tina Radcliffe started postingcontest updates for contests that allowed published authors to enter as longas they’re not published in the category they enter, I got the urge to throwmy YA out there. But I was terrified. I hem-hawed around and missed one contestdeadline.
Then I decided to email my agent to see how she felt. Then, yet again, Ichickened out on the next contest that came by.
...What if it’s really bad? And, OMGosh, my author name will beright there in writing on the entry form! Though judges won’t know who wrotethe entry, someone could find out.
...What if they hate it and I get discouraged want to quit working on it, even though I feel God leading me to work on it?
...What if it finals, but then the editor sees it and hates it,ruining all future submissions to that editor?
And on and on…
All the excuses. All the irrational fears. Goodness, we’rewriters, so we can get pretty creative in our worst case scenarios, can’t we?!
Another contest deadline approached. I needed to get alittle of the “Why not me?” attitude. And I guess, in a way, God gave me thenudge I needed (as well as Tina reminding me of the contest again).
In a panic, I sent it off to my critique partners. They gavesome great feedback on ways to polish. But neither of them read YA, which left me anxious. So Iemailed Melanie Dickerson and Mary Connealy and begged them to take pity on me andread my first 15 pages. They were wonderful. Both read it asap and gave fantasticfeedback on some changes that might help.
But best of all, they both said they loved it. It was theshot in the arm I needed. With their suggestions, I condensed the opening to fit more of the chapter in the entry. And, with shaking hands, I emailed that entry off.Now why hadn’t I done that sooner? Why had I missed two perfectly goodopportunities?
Last week, as I watched the video with my daughter and sawthat talented young woman sing her heart out, I decided I need a BIG DOSE ofthe “Why not me?” attitude. Instead of pursuing this writing career withhesitation and doubt, I want to learn to be fearless. I’m not talking stupidityhere. I won’t mail off something before it’s ready. But I want to get rid ofthe self-doubt. Learn to get over rejection and failure quickly so I can move onand try again. (My One Word this year is Resilience.) Instead of cowering, Iwant to jump out there and say: Why not my YA?
Wow. What a mind blowing thought. :)
So what about you? What category do you fall into? Do youworry and figure good things aren’t ahead for you? Do you waste precious timeand think thoughts like, “It should’ve been me!”?
Or do you jump in and work for all you’re worth thinking,“Why not me?”
UPDATE!!!!!! I just found out on Sunday that my YA entrytied for 3rd place in the Gotcha! Contest!! The top 4 (well, 5 withthe tie) will be sent to Natashya Wilson at Harlequin Teen for review. :)
Okay, I had a little squeal of excitement, there. Now back tothe post…
I hope you’ll share what category you fall in, or how youplan to move to the “Why not me?” category. And if you’d like to be entered towin a copy of A House Full of Hope (to prepare for the next Corinthia, GA,book, Georgia Sweethearts, coming in April from Love Inspired!), then in thecomments, PLEASE TELL ME TO ENTER YOU.
BTW, don't you love my new cover?!! Georgia Sweethearts is available for Pre-order!
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Visit Missy at www.missytippens.com
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