Mark Ristau's Blog - Posts Tagged "freedom-of-expression"
A Note of Encouragement to Budding Authors
A little bird informs me (I’m never one to ignore the wisdom of a little bird) that there’s something of great significance inside of you, something valuable that needs to be shared with the world…something that wants to come out and play…
My advice is to let it out…just tell your story! Tell it in whatever manner, in whatever medium feels right for you. Don’t worry about getting it right or whether it will be accepted by others. Just tell your story and tell it from your heart. Don’t think about it…just step aside and let your heart reveal itself authentically…and gloriously. Let your light shine!
Too often, in this transactional, results-oriented world of ours, we filter our messages; we tell our story in a way that we think is likely to please others. This is understandable. There is a deep-seeded, primal need within each of us for acceptance, acknowledgement, and recognition. A need to connect with others. But I urge you to tell your story regardless of whether it’s likely to be received with critical or general acclaim. The only way to establish a true connection with others is by first being true to ourselves.
It took me many years to discover within myself the courage to write and publish my novel, A Hero Dreams; and when I did, I made a conscious effort to resist the temptation to pander to commercial interests. Rather, I told my story as authentically as I could and without regard to how well it might be received. Maintaining creative freedom was (and is) of critical importance to me, which is why I chose to bring A Hero Dreams into the world via the indie publishing route. It had always been (and continues to be) my intention to bring something new into the world—something that inspires readers with the idea that anything is possible…
“How to begin?” Well, first of all, find yourself a sacred space and brew a really nice cup of coffee (or tea, if you prefer!)…and then…just write. My preferred method is to start with a pen and a legal pad and later migrate to a computer. But if you feel more comfortable in front of your keyboard and screen, then by all means, start by hammering away at the computer! Eventually, you’ll want to think about structure and to develop an outline, but for now, just write, revise, and write some more…
A final word—nothing truly great was ever accomplished by following a formula or by guessing at what message might resonate with an audience…it MUST come from your heart…and you must have faith that your story will find its audience…so start writing—no matter how simple, short, silly, complex, long or gravely serious your story might be. We NEED to hear your voice. It’s the only thing that can save our world…
My advice is to let it out…just tell your story! Tell it in whatever manner, in whatever medium feels right for you. Don’t worry about getting it right or whether it will be accepted by others. Just tell your story and tell it from your heart. Don’t think about it…just step aside and let your heart reveal itself authentically…and gloriously. Let your light shine!
Too often, in this transactional, results-oriented world of ours, we filter our messages; we tell our story in a way that we think is likely to please others. This is understandable. There is a deep-seeded, primal need within each of us for acceptance, acknowledgement, and recognition. A need to connect with others. But I urge you to tell your story regardless of whether it’s likely to be received with critical or general acclaim. The only way to establish a true connection with others is by first being true to ourselves.
It took me many years to discover within myself the courage to write and publish my novel, A Hero Dreams; and when I did, I made a conscious effort to resist the temptation to pander to commercial interests. Rather, I told my story as authentically as I could and without regard to how well it might be received. Maintaining creative freedom was (and is) of critical importance to me, which is why I chose to bring A Hero Dreams into the world via the indie publishing route. It had always been (and continues to be) my intention to bring something new into the world—something that inspires readers with the idea that anything is possible…
“How to begin?” Well, first of all, find yourself a sacred space and brew a really nice cup of coffee (or tea, if you prefer!)…and then…just write. My preferred method is to start with a pen and a legal pad and later migrate to a computer. But if you feel more comfortable in front of your keyboard and screen, then by all means, start by hammering away at the computer! Eventually, you’ll want to think about structure and to develop an outline, but for now, just write, revise, and write some more…
A final word—nothing truly great was ever accomplished by following a formula or by guessing at what message might resonate with an audience…it MUST come from your heart…and you must have faith that your story will find its audience…so start writing—no matter how simple, short, silly, complex, long or gravely serious your story might be. We NEED to hear your voice. It’s the only thing that can save our world…
Mark Ristau's Blog
Reflecting on dreams, thresholds, and the possibility of what might lie beyond...
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