First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone! I hope that 2011 is a healthy, happy, and prosperous one!
Now, on to this weeks “One Thing” with Janelle Denison. There are so many things I’ve learned since I started writing over twenty years ago (can’t believe it’s been that long!!!), and I still keep learning new things all the time. When you’re writing, you’re constantly learning and growing, and that’s a good thing.
But as for my own personal “One Thing” that I’d like to share with you all is actually a personal quote of mine that I use to get me through those times when writing is is just plain tough.
“It Is What It Is.”
As a writer, when it comes to my work, I always strive for perfection. I want every book I write to be better and stronger than the last. I want my readers to love the story, and I want reviewers to rave. Alas, that doesn’t always happen. Including every book that I write being better than the last. When I start a story, it’s what I hope and strive for, and sometimes the writing Gods bless me with a “gift book”, one that just comes together to create that perfection I wish for every book I write. And when that happens, and everything falls together so effortlessly, it’s joyous.
But honestly, most books that I write are a struggle every step of the way. Carly, being my critique partner, reads my stuff (as I do hers) and sometimes she literally tears it apart until it’s unrecognizable, which is always a big help. Really, LOL. I can revise a story, polish it as best as I can, but sometimes, even after all that, the story “Is What It Is”, and I’ve learned that sometimes you just have to accept your story for what it is and move on. It’s not always easy to do, but for me, sometime’s it’s necessary.
It Is What It Is: In a nutshell, for me, this quote instills a sense of acceptance of a project. If I’ve done everything possible to make a story the best it can possibly be, it’s time for me to stop over-analyzing and let the story stand on its own merit.
Janelle Denison finds it hard to believe that it’s been nearly 25 years since she first started writing romance novels. At first, it was a way to pass idle time while her husband worked swing shift, but before long it became an obsession to get published. Luckily, she kept at it (it took her over 5 years to get that first book published!) and is now a Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, and USA Today Bestselling author! Now, after selling over 45 plus novels, she finds that her Plotmonkey pals help to keep her stories fresh and unique, and she can’t imagine writing a story without their input. Janelle lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, along with two teenage daughters that keep life interesting.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Janelle… Your “is what it is” has been pretty darn good for me. You’re one of my very favorite authors. I have all of your books, have reread them many times and I always eagerly await your new books. You’ve “done good,” my friend. Happy New Year to you and yours.
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Thank you, Karen. And Happy New Year right back at ya! :Newyear:
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“It Is What It Is.”
What good advice for life as well. Sometimes you just have to realize life is what it is and decide to move on.
I hope everyone has a great New Year.
:Newyear:
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Yes, I also do use the “It is what it is” statement when it comes to life in general!
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What an perfect piece of advice to start the new year with. Blessings to you and continued success with those great stories of yours!
:Newyear:
:Newyear:
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Thanks, Gillian! Happy New Year!
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Just about the same words I live by. It’s gotten me through a lot of things I can’t change and kept away a lot of ulcers!
:Newyear:
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Yep — “It is what it is” does tend to help alleviate stress, LOL! Sometimes you just have to let things go and move on.
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And other times I just want to reach out and slap the crap out of it!! :*&#!:
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Yes, but it’s so hard to accept at times. I’ve reworked a story from every point on the compass, and it still sits there, like a blob of bread dough into which one has forgotten to add the yeast. It ain’t goin’ no where.
Wise words, but dang, sometimes it’s painful.
Happy New Year, everyone!!!
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Sometimes it can be painful — and sometimes, you just have to move on. Every book for me is a learning experience, so that makes it easier for me to let go of the story sometimes, too.
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:Newyear:
:meepcold: So true, even for life :)
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Yep, absolutely, Katie! Is it freezing in your neck of the woods here in Oregon? :freeze2:
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Great blog this morning. Personally, by the time a story is revised, edited and polished, I am so ready to say goodbye to those story people and move on.
Happy New Year! :Newyear:
Cher :freeze2:
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I hear ya, Cher!
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So true. You could say that can be said about more than just your writing. Although I haven’t read a single one of your stories that I didn’t love. Still looking forward to that new book. Have a happy New Year!
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Thanks Eileen!
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‘It Is What It Is’.
I like that!!!
Valerie
in Germany
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:rain: That is what is going on in my part of the world! Thank heavens the Rose Parade had sunshine!
It was beautiful as always. 
It is what it is! That can so be applied to life, work or most anything. There are somethings hard to accept but easier to live with when you know you can’t change it. An email I had this morning with a list of thoughts to live by had this quote: “Will it matter in 5 years?”
Happy New Year, enjoy the day. :Newyear:
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“Will it matter in 5 years?”. Wow, that’s a good one, too!!!
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What a great bit of advice!
:Newyear:
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Happy New Year.
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Good advice! Your books are always great. Can’t wait to read the new one. Happy New Year.
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That’s what I keep telling my husband and my children!
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I’m so glad I stumbled upon this post. I’m extremely close to completing the first draft of my second novel and am second guessing quite a bit in the home stretch. Your post reminded me to let what it is be. Thanks and Happy New Year!
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I do that with every script I *try* to write. I’ve been working on two for almost 5 years now and I’ve gotten one chapter (Thank you Tarantino, I now write my scripts in chapter form…..) in each one finished. I’ve restarted the same two more times than I can count because I always come up with something different that will give me the opportunity to either create three movies, or three books – both both.
It got to the point with my directing two project that I was re-writing it so much I finally had to put it aside for almost a year before I even looked at the script again, and now my teacher is pushing me to enter it into festivals.
Sometimes “it is what it is” works, other times, it makes me want to drink and bash my head against a wall…. repeatedly. Sometimes into that bloody Basterds poster.