TELL ‘EM TO DO THEIR OWN DAMN WORK!!!
Hi Everybody,
Do you have a friend, relative or colleague who puts in more time pestering you to do their work than they ever would if they’d just do it themselves? Well, I do! Following is a rant I posted a couple of years ago, but I’ve found it to be as true today as it was at the time I posted it.
I need to blow off a little steam, so I hope you’ll indulge me.
I created this blog to help emerging and newbie writers find other writers like themselves, and locate writing contests and opportunities that will help to hone their skills. I don’t ask anything in return…except that you take a few minutes out of your busy schedule and post a reply to keep me encouraged.
This is just something I want to do…to share what I know. I was a newbie writer once. I didn’t know where to go, how to get started, or who to ask. So now that I have a few connections and a little experience under my belt, I wanted to post some “self-help” pages for others.
That being said, THIS SITE IS NOT FOR SLACKERS. It is for writers who are willing to pull themselves up by the bootstraps, sit their butt in a chair, and go to work honing their gift. It’s for writers who are willing to search out publishers, editors and/or agents until they find the right one for them. I provide the links, YOU do the detective work. In short, this site is for WORKING WRITERS.
What has me so vexed? Well, let me tell you! Can we talk????
I received a telephone call from a personal friend who is also a writer–the type of call every hard-working person dreads, because they know they’re going to be asked to do something for a person who could just as easily do it for themselves.
Here’s how it went. Of course, the names have been changed (or deleted) to protect the innocent!
ME: Hello?
THEM: Hey, girl! I was just wondering what you’ve posted on your blog lately. I’m finally ready to get back into my writing.
ME: Well…I’ve posted lots of things. Just go to The ShadesWriter and look over the site. I’m positive you’ll find something that fits you.
THEM: Yeah, but what kinds of things have you posted? Got any contests for love stories?
ME: Yeah, I remember posting a few romance competitions. Just go to the website.
THEM: Oh yeah? What were the names of the contests?
ME: I don’t remember the specific names. Just go to the website. In the meantime, I think I’ll add a category for romance so this type will be easier to find.
THEM: You don’t remember the names? Really? And you posted them? How odd. Well, how many words were they looking for?
ME: I don’t know. Go to the website and see what you can find.
THEM: Hmmm…don’t know how many words, either? [emits a loud, disbelieving snort.] Well, what was the deadline?
ME: [trying not to grind my teeth] I DON’T KNOW! I really don’t. Go to the website.
THEM: What did you say that address was?
ME: www.RitaHubbard.com, and click on TheShadesWriter. Maybe you should write it down.
THEM: I don’t need to. It’s all up here. [I assume she's tapping her temple.]
July 5th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Hi Rita, I read your posts often as I can find them. I finally got the courage to pull all my half-written stuff out to begin writing for real after seeing your “go get-um” attitude here. I have you in my blog friends that I read regularly. Just thought you might like to see what an already (newly)published writer is going through in her process – and maybe you can have a little hope that Yes! you (Rita H.) are making a difference out there! come on over to my place and read about Karen Collum & “Possum”. Talula
July 8th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Hey Talula!
Thanks for writing. You’ve really made my day. And thanks for taking my article, “Tell ‘Em to Do Their Own Damn Work!” in the spirit in which it was written–with a little vexation and a whole lotta love.
Wishing you the very best in all you do,
Rita Lorraine
PS – On my way to visit your site
July 8th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Just wanted to say thanks for stopping by. Hoped you like Karen’s story. I just knew that it was a post i had to send out to the larger world of families. She is a terrific writer in many genres, though mostly in Children’s work. This story is not just personal — it is a passion of hers to write childrens positive thinking books for the foster care children & families in Australia. I really hope the publishers will pick it up for her after the family gets through this ordeal with her son’s heart surgery, and she can polish it till it shines. Thanks for all you for us lonely writers out here!