It’s not enough to just want something and hope that it will be delivered to you on a silver platter. Unfortunately for most of us, life isn’t that simple. What we try to teach our kids is that you absolutely can achieve your aspirations, your goals, your dreams, but it takes work, persistence and determination. […]
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I don't want you to think I really swim a mile - or even half a mile - every day, as I did for a time when I was at school (well, every weekday, pretty much). I still enjoy swimming but my Olympic ambitions did not last long. I got as far as swimming for my (smallish) town, was beaten by the girl from Castleford, and that was pretty much it. Even if I'd had the talent, I don't think I'd ever have had the resolve and determination to do all that training day after day.
Like many others, I'm currently enjoying the Olympic Games and especially the swimming - marvelling at the performances, the dedication, the sportsmanship and the articulate interview responses of these inspirational youngsters.
My swimming ambitions fizzled out long ago but I do still have ambition of a kind, at least where my writing is concerned. In these last few weeks - a time of reflection following the sad and sudden death of my father - I've been trying to work out what ambition means, if anything, when you reach the age of 57. What exactly do I hope to achieve by all this writing I do every day? Is it really just a hobby, like going for an early morning swim or dabbling my feet (when I get the chance) in the sea? No, I think I'm fuelled by something more powerful than that - but what am I pointing myself towards?
I thought I was aiming to earn enough from my books (some hope?) to buy myself a little seaside retreat. But, as it turns out, my wonderful father, who never earned a high salary in his life but never spent much either and invested wisely, has left me enough to make this dream come true. So, all being well, I will have my seaside hideaway, which I hope to share with family and friends. But where does that leave my writing ambitions? Intact, I'm sure of that, but the question remains - why I am working so hard?
It's not for fame, I know that much. I'm old enough to know that fame is not what Rosalies like best (not this one, anyway). Not that I've ever experienced it, but you know what I mean. I hate attention, being stared at, having my photo taken, being expected to behave in certain ways and having things to live up to. Nor is it for money, since I'm also old enough to know that fortunes bring troubles of their own.
I suppose it all boils down to wanting to write the best books I can - and wanting people to read them. I think my deepest ambition is to go on being active, both mentally and physically, for as long as I possibly can. And never to stop trying something new, especially where my writing is concerned.
Alongside that is a wish to be part of something wonderful - something that involves inspiring young people both to read and write. When I hear youngsters enthusing over books - and when I see them having a go at writing for themselves - it makes me happier than just about anything else. Yes, of course it's extra special if they like my books and engage with my characters, but, leaving ego aside, to be part of the tradition (beautifully enacted in that Olympic opening ceremony) of writing for children and YA - is a wonderful privilege. So I guess my ambition has to be to try to find better ways to connect with my readers through my books, and maybe to get some children reading who might not otherwise have thought of it. And to try to support, as well as be supported by, other writers, teachers, librarians, publishers, etc, who are doing the same. Not very original, perhaps, but enough to keep me going for as many years as I have left!
So I will continue to write my daily mile, and try to keep up the swimming too.
Blog: Sugar Frosted Goodness (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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By: Matt Schuster,
on 11/18/2007
Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: ambition, Most Recent at Top [Help]
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on 7/19/2015
Blog: Perpetually Adolescent (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: review, author, interview, Book News, dreams, picture book, friendship, determination, Author Interviews, Lulu, Susanne Gervay, ambition, polar bear, New Book Releases, CYA conference, Dimity Powell, Book Reviews - Childrens and Young Adult, Creative Kids Tales, Georgie Donaghey, Ann-Marie Finn, Dragon Tales Publishing, Kaylene Hobson, Romi Sharp, The Author's Shelf, Add a tag
By: Blog: Perpetually Adolescent (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: review, author, interview, Book News, dreams, picture book, friendship, determination, Author Interviews, Lulu, Susanne Gervay, ambition, polar bear, New Book Releases, CYA conference, Dimity Powell, Book Reviews - Childrens and Young Adult, Creative Kids Tales, Georgie Donaghey, Ann-Marie Finn, Dragon Tales Publishing, Kaylene Hobson, Romi Sharp, The Author's Shelf, Add a tag
By: Rosalie Warren,
on 8/1/2012
Blog: An Awfully Big Blog Adventure (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Olympics, writing for children, swimming, middle age, ambition, old age, Rosalie Warren, Add a tag
Blog: An Awfully Big Blog Adventure (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Olympics, writing for children, swimming, middle age, ambition, old age, Rosalie Warren, Add a tag
I don't want you to think I really swim a mile - or even half a mile - every day, as I did for a time when I was at school (well, every weekday, pretty much). I still enjoy swimming but my Olympic ambitions did not last long. I got as far as swimming for my (smallish) town, was beaten by the girl from Castleford, and that was pretty much it. Even if I'd had the talent, I don't think I'd ever have had the resolve and determination to do all that training day after day.
Like many others, I'm currently enjoying the Olympic Games and especially the swimming - marvelling at the performances, the dedication, the sportsmanship and the articulate interview responses of these inspirational youngsters.
My swimming ambitions fizzled out long ago but I do still have ambition of a kind, at least where my writing is concerned. In these last few weeks - a time of reflection following the sad and sudden death of my father - I've been trying to work out what ambition means, if anything, when you reach the age of 57. What exactly do I hope to achieve by all this writing I do every day? Is it really just a hobby, like going for an early morning swim or dabbling my feet (when I get the chance) in the sea? No, I think I'm fuelled by something more powerful than that - but what am I pointing myself towards?
I thought I was aiming to earn enough from my books (some hope?) to buy myself a little seaside retreat. But, as it turns out, my wonderful father, who never earned a high salary in his life but never spent much either and invested wisely, has left me enough to make this dream come true. So, all being well, I will have my seaside hideaway, which I hope to share with family and friends. But where does that leave my writing ambitions? Intact, I'm sure of that, but the question remains - why I am working so hard?
It's not for fame, I know that much. I'm old enough to know that fame is not what Rosalies like best (not this one, anyway). Not that I've ever experienced it, but you know what I mean. I hate attention, being stared at, having my photo taken, being expected to behave in certain ways and having things to live up to. Nor is it for money, since I'm also old enough to know that fortunes bring troubles of their own.
I suppose it all boils down to wanting to write the best books I can - and wanting people to read them. I think my deepest ambition is to go on being active, both mentally and physically, for as long as I possibly can. And never to stop trying something new, especially where my writing is concerned.
Alongside that is a wish to be part of something wonderful - something that involves inspiring young people both to read and write. When I hear youngsters enthusing over books - and when I see them having a go at writing for themselves - it makes me happier than just about anything else. Yes, of course it's extra special if they like my books and engage with my characters, but, leaving ego aside, to be part of the tradition (beautifully enacted in that Olympic opening ceremony) of writing for children and YA - is a wonderful privilege. So I guess my ambition has to be to try to find better ways to connect with my readers through my books, and maybe to get some children reading who might not otherwise have thought of it. And to try to support, as well as be supported by, other writers, teachers, librarians, publishers, etc, who are doing the same. Not very original, perhaps, but enough to keep me going for as many years as I have left!
So I will continue to write my daily mile, and try to keep up the swimming too.
9 Comments on Swimming the Daily Mile - Ambition at 57?, last added: 8/4/2012
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By: Jenny Turner,
on 8/3/2008
Blog: Quake: Shakin' up Young Readers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: achievement, echelon press, Blog Book Tour, festivals, ambition, marketing, books, reading, authors, publishing, Writing, sales, business, networking, writers, Add a tag
Blog: Quake: Shakin' up Young Readers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: achievement, echelon press, Blog Book Tour, festivals, ambition, marketing, books, reading, authors, publishing, Writing, sales, business, networking, writers, Add a tag
On August 2, 2008, I made my second appearance at the Hanover Book Festival. This is what I would call a little itty-bitty book festival in a little itty bitty town called Mechanicsville, VA. Now, why would a big glamorous publisher like me what to go to a little itty-bitty town like that? By golly, I'm gonna tell you!
One, they invited me two times in a row. The first time, curiosity, but the second time, I was honored. Joanne Liggan, who coordinated this festival, is a gem. She has put together a spiffy little festival that I honestly think is going to continue to grow.
In the morning I presented a workshop on "Publishing Green." This was my first time doing this workshop, and it needs some work, but I was pleased. My group was interactive and that helped.
After my workshop, they plunked me down at a table to do editor interviews. Yes, that is right. This little bitty book festival had something for everyone. I did interviews all day and met some delightful and obviously talented writers.
Now, getting back to the point of the blog. Does your town have a book festival? You might consider going to your mayor's office and asking if your writer's group could organize one. Or you could do the easy thing and find other towns around you who have these festivals already and support them.
Just because it is in a small town doesn't mean it doesn't have a huge amount to offer. On top of doing interviews, presenting my workshop, and getting a free lunch with the best chocolate pie I've ever had, I sold books! Yes, folks that's right, I sold books to readers!
I would very much like to know about more hometown festivals where I can sell books and maybe share what I know. So if you your town or another you know of, has a book festival or any other kind of festival that welcomes authors and such, please let me know. Perhaps I can come and see you!
© Karen L. Syed
Blog Book Tour August Challenge #3
One, they invited me two times in a row. The first time, curiosity, but the second time, I was honored. Joanne Liggan, who coordinated this festival, is a gem. She has put together a spiffy little festival that I honestly think is going to continue to grow.
In the morning I presented a workshop on "Publishing Green." This was my first time doing this workshop, and it needs some work, but I was pleased. My group was interactive and that helped.
After my workshop, they plunked me down at a table to do editor interviews. Yes, that is right. This little bitty book festival had something for everyone. I did interviews all day and met some delightful and obviously talented writers.
Now, getting back to the point of the blog. Does your town have a book festival? You might consider going to your mayor's office and asking if your writer's group could organize one. Or you could do the easy thing and find other towns around you who have these festivals already and support them.
Just because it is in a small town doesn't mean it doesn't have a huge amount to offer. On top of doing interviews, presenting my workshop, and getting a free lunch with the best chocolate pie I've ever had, I sold books! Yes, folks that's right, I sold books to readers!
I would very much like to know about more hometown festivals where I can sell books and maybe share what I know. So if you your town or another you know of, has a book festival or any other kind of festival that welcomes authors and such, please let me know. Perhaps I can come and see you!
© Karen L. Syed
Blog Book Tour August Challenge #3
5 Comments on Book Festivals and the Hometown Appeal, last added: 8/8/2008
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Blog: Sugar Frosted Goodness (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: robot, Matt Schuster, skyline, SFG: Flight, Add a tag
Another doodle with this guy. It's not terribly dynamic but I like the contemplative nature of it. Giant Robots have feelings too. I think he needs some friends.
1 Comments on above these things, last added: 11/19/2007
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Admirable ambitions, and enjoy that special place by the sea when you meet it.
"my ambition has to be to try to find better ways to connect with my readers through my books, and maybe to get some children reading who might not otherwise have thought of it."
What a lovely ambition, can't think of a better reason for writing. Hope you enjoy your place by the sea when you find it.
This is wonderful. You've thought through what 'ambition' means to you - not one dictated by the media or any false notion of 'celebrity.' There is nothing more important than inspiring children.
Sorry to hear about the death of your Father... but inspired by your thoughts about what you want to achieve now, moving forwards. It reminds me of Elen's post about whether there might be a downside to upping one's sales and profile last week. Wonderful, thought provoking stuff.
That is a wonderful gift your father left you - thank you for posting about him and about ambition - something that we all struggle with. Your clarity of thought is much appreciated!
So sad to lose your father, but he must have known you wanted your seaside place and his spirit will infuse every brick, I am sure.
As for you heading -"Ambition at 57". Well - age has nothing to do with it. I want to be published for my children and grandchildren, as well as for my own satisfaction, and I am 68. I would also love to return to UK but that is a lottery dream!
Thank you, everyone, for your kind and supportive comments. Good luck to you all with your own ambitions of every kind.
How exciting - to be searching for that perfect hideaway within hearing range of the sea!
You've made me wonder this morning why I write. I think it's because I can't not write - in the nicest possible way, it's a bit like having a bug which keeps coming back!
You're right, Tam. A bug, an itch - something that can't be 'cured' any other way...