You are a Writer quotes - Part 1

Here are some great excerpts from Jeff Goins book You are a Writer.

On Writing

“It’s a choice, writing is. One that belongs to you and me. We get to choose it (or not) every single day. So whether or not the world hears your message — whether you leave the impact you were born to make — is entirely up to you.”

“Make no mistake. All of us at some point wonder if what we’re doing matters. The answer taunts us. It whispers from afar. Keeps us wondering and waiting. All the while, deep inside our hearts, something dangerous stirs. Something we’re afraid to admit.”

On Confidence

“Until you acknowledge this — that you are a writer — you are depriving the world of a gift it longs for. One that stands the test of time. One that could leave a legacy.”

“Anyone can do this. All it requires is a simple, scary solution: Believe you already are what you want to be. And then start acting like it.”

PIC-OF-THE-WEEK

Sometimes I hate to post the "RAW" version of a photo because it's so bad. But I love seeing what can emerge from it by "COOKING" it out.

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COOKED

 

RAW vs COOKED

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COOKED

Hit Ratio

My wife Lynette and I were in a plane coming back from a trip to the Grand Canyon. We happened to be looking at the photos we took and a man next to us said they were very nice photos. Then he said “You have a very good hit ratio”. I thanked him figuring it meant he thought there was a high percentage of good photos in the collection.

Over the last four years or so as I’ve embraced photography I’ve learned that to build a good hit ratio you have to have a lot of hits. I don’t mean hits in the sense of good photos. I mean the more you photograph, the better your hit ratio, as long as you learn as you go.

I’m sure this applies to any creative endeavor. Do it a lot. Practice it often. Risk wasting a canvas from time to time. I’m not sure if it really takes 10,000 hours to become an expert, but if you are passionate about what you’re doing much of the fun is the process of improving your hit ratio.

PIC-OF-THE-WEEK

One of my favorite sunset subjects is this farm just outside the town I live in.

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Pace Yourself

There’s a lot of talk about diving into your creative work – getting it done – making sure you “ship”. All that is good advice and it’s essential that you do something if you want to create something. But as with anything balance is the key, especially when you begin to get in the zone and do what you are created to do. Time gets lost. Hours go by. And when I do that I tend to eventually hit a brick wall where I run of juice. All of a sudden I don’t have anything else to give.

So remember to pace yourself and take breaks as you work on your projects. Some people find it better to go from one thing to another before they’re complete. Others, stick to one thing until it’s totally finished. However you work, take time every once in a while to get away and recharge. Someone once said “Divert daily, withdraw weekly and abandon annually.”

PIC-OF-THE-WEEK

Rarely do I take an image and post it straight out of the camera. I enjoy post-processing as much as taking the photograph - working toward the image that was in my mind when I took the photo.

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10 Commandments Of Creativity

Below is a list of things to remember when it comes to your creativity.

I. THOU ART CREATIVE

II. THOU SHALT GET OUT OF THY COMFORT ZONE

III. THOU SHALT CHANGE THY ENVIRONMENT

IV. THOU SHALT TRY DIFFERENT THINGS

V. THOU SHALT HONOR THY INTUITION

VI. THOU SHALT SEEK SEVERAL OPTIONS

VII. THOU SHALT JUSTIFY THY EFFORTS

VIII. THOU SHALT SEEK INPUTE FROM OTHERS

IX. THOU SHALT BELIEVE THOU WILT SUCCEED

X. THOU SHALT TAKE ACTION

By David Goldwich. To learn more about each one, click here.

PIC-OF-THE-WEEK

Another drive by as I was on my way to an early morning photo walk at Beaver Creek State Park.

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COOKED