Yesterday as I was sitting on the couch reading…yessireeee…I was sitting on the couch reading and not feeling guilty at all…I came across a wonderful quote from Madeleine L’Engle.
The quote is in Nava Atlas’s new book, The Literary Ladies: Guide to the Writing Life Inspiration and Advice from Celebrated Women Authors Who Paved the Way.
“Risk is essential. It’s scary. Every time I sit down and start the first page of a novel, I am risking failure. We are encouraged in this world not to fail. College students are often encouraged to take the courses they are going to get A’s in so that they can get that nice grant to graduate school. And they are discouraged from taking the courses they may not get a good grade in but which fascinate them nevertheless. I think that is a bad thing that the world has done to us.
We are encouraged only to do that which we can be successful in. But things are accomplished only by our risk of failure. Writers will never do anything beyond the first thing unless they risk growing.” (Madeleine L ‘Engle Herself, 2011)
I have found in my own life that when I risk, I become more courageous by the act of just trying. I don’t feel courageous…
Terrified
is more descriptive.
But, success, when it comes, is
delicious.
Is there something that you’d like to try but are scared to fail? What are you scared of? What would it look like if you succeeded?
I just returned from doing something scary and hope to write about it. I seem to take risks all the time. I think we all do; we’re just not aware of it. Writers, especially.
Hi Jackie,
I think some people are better at taking risks with their choices than others. I know for myself that it’s perception. Blogging was a big risk for me because there is so much possibility of failure by what I define as failure. Will I have comments or will I even have readers?
I hope to challenge people to risk sooner than later. I’m looking forward to reading about your trip.
j
“We are encouraged only to do that which we can be successful in” is so true and such a shame because I honestly feel that I’ve learned the most from the things that I’ve tried and failed at. You would think that knowing ahead of time that “failing is at least going to make me smarter” would be enough motivation to continuously take risks, but sadly it isn’t. I find that puzzling.
Julie,
Great point! We’re so scared of it (failure) but it’s so invigorating at the same time. “Puzzling” is a good picture word.
Thanks.
j
I’ve always had a fear of confrontation, and I’ve had more chances to work with it this past year than ever before. The fear still pops up in my stomach from time to time, but I appreciate the lessons and growth that come from facing fears. Thanks for the thoughtful post!
Hi Alison,
Liked what you said “more chances to work with it” because it’s such a great teacher.
Thank you for stopping by.
j
I find public speaking scary, but feel so strongly about the dangers of toxic chemicals in the environment that I have begun speaking out, in public, like at Town Meeting last month.
Alexandra,
You are super woman. Public speaking is exactly what I’m afraid of. I talk fast and rarely in complete sentences.
Maybe more speaking in your future? Congratulations.
Yes, writing is about risking failure. And if we don’t take risks, what do we gain? It’s a struggle for me, but I’m realizing that the rewards are well worth it — even in failure there is so much to gain! Great quote, thanks for sharing, Jan.
Liz,
There is so much to gain. You’re right. It’s gets to be an adrenaline rush…
I am working on my very first novella and I’m terrified that no one will read it. I will keep on trucking, though because I’ve learned that action cures fear! I know that all will be well in the end.
Awesome post!
This exact idea has been on my mind now for at least two years, going on three. Since moving to Japan I’ve taken a leap in career choices to focus on writing and farming. Thus far I’ve focused mostly on writing for myself, but my fear of failure keeps me from sending out regular pitches. It’s utterly terrifying, although I know it’s the only way I’ll gain exposure and learn more about this new field I’ve chosen. Your post was a great reminder to risk “going beyond that first thing.”
Hi Joan,
I promise you that after you send out a few pitches, it will get easier. Then awhile down the road, you’ll think back to the day you first sent out a pitch and say, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?”
Take the risk and let me know.
j
I actually read this yesterday. It spoke to me; yet I waited to respond. Why? Fear of failure crazy enough. I read some of the other enlightened comments and felt the fear rise. I put off responding only to realize what happened. Thanks for showing “me” to me! A nice reality check.
Hey Tia,
Thank you for sharing. I am humbled when people share their “stuff.” I didn’t realize until later but I’ve talked about this before in other blog posts. So I have my issues, too. We all do.
Yeah for being brave enough!
Hi Jan, I got a Google alert on this post, and thanks so much for the great shout-out! I recently did a blog tour and wrote a bunch of guest posts, which I can now repurpose. Since you write a lot on parenting, let me know if you’d like a guest post titled Writing and Motherhood: The Literary Ladies on the Juggling act. Or if you’d like to do a review/giveaway. Thank you again!