A Quote That Fits- Deep Thoughts

"Unprovided with original learning, unformed in the habits of thinking, unskilled in the arts of composition, I resolved to write a book." Edward Gibbon English historian of Rome (1737 - 1794)

I saw this quote on someones status and thought...hmmmm...this could be me..and I like it :)

This next passage of my babbling is not about any one person...just thoughts I have from experience, either mine or someone else who has cried on my shoulder at some point in my life...


I have thought long and hard about writing a book. Where does one start? With an idea...with desire.

There is not one person in this world who can tell me "You can't"...yes I can. Who are you to tell me I can't? That's what I thought. Now go back to your life and take a closer look before venturing into mine.

I am educated. I am a very simple person.  I have simple thoughts. I also have deep thoughts, ideas and a strong desire to write a book. I could never even begin to tell someone, either straight up or in hints, they shouldn't write a book or paint a picture or any other form of artistic expression...just because they don't know exactly how...yet.

There are many, many different writing styles and books to go along with them...It's your choice so you should choose what you enjoy. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If you enjoy classics. Read them. If you can get through War and Peace...more power to you. If you like a simple, easy read to rest your mind...go for it.

If you want to write about handsome vampires and werewolves...and people tell you you can't write worth beans...tell them to look at your bank account, it's not beans your counting. Someone must like your work...even some uppity types.

Think about people who gave up their dream because of what someone else said... I 'm sure we're missing some great works of art in this world because of hurt feelings and deflated self esteem...someone giving up is very sad to me.

I used to get my feelings hurt. Not anymore! Now I consider the source. Why would a person say something negative about anything I do? especially if I haven't solicited their criticism...then what is their motive?

If someone tells me I am not as good of a photographer as someone else, I have to take it as positive criticism. It makes me take a step back and look at my own work.  Maybe the other person is just better at editing photos in Photoshop or Lightroom or whatever... and adding actions or presets to them (sorry, photog talk) Maybe they just have a different style than mine. Maybe I do need to work on a certain aspect of my photography. It can be an art. It will be critiqued. Not all critiques are true. Again, I consider the source.

Sometimes a picture is nothing more than a picture of a loved one and art goes out the window because you captured their very soul in one picture...exposed well or not. But if it is a compensated project...it better be well composed and well exposed....but your style may not be appreciated by everyone. The eye of the beholder is what counts.

So for me, wanting to write a book may seem silly to someone, but it is very serious to me. I am doing everything I can to learn how to write a book. I think there is a book inside each of us trying to get out and onto paper...not all of us have the desire to write it. Some of us have way more than one book inside...I plan to find the key and let them out.

Finding inner strength and realizing my dreams are within my power. If it turns out that I am the only one who likes what I do...it is enough, because I do it for myself first. This is what art is to me. At least it's what I tell myself.

Artists are always worried about what others think...but smart artists take the bad with the good and use it to fuel their inner passion.

A quote from the movie Dances With Wolves..."Put that in your book!"

You may go back to your regularly scheduled program.