It’s February and maybe a few of you, like me, are having a hard time sticking with the resolutions you made less than six weeks ago. Let’s face it, we resolve to do certain things for one reason: we don’t want to do them. Why? Often because we perceive that they’ll be difficult, challenging—just plain hard. So hard, we might fail.
And if we’re going to fail in the end, well, what’s the point, right?
So it’s no surprise when I hear the running joke, “Where’s the Easy button?” Or when I see commercials for diet plans or workout tapes with claims of how little I need to try in order to succeed with this or that product. “Only ten minutes a day to a new shape!” or “No need to count calories or think about nutrition—these meals have just what you need!”
Our electronics now feature apps to make everything instant and simple. Thank heavens I don’t have to know how to configure anything to make them work. Just click a button and apps download and install on their own. Now I don’t need a map or have to remember anyone’s telephone number or go outside to check the temperature. Easy.
Which makes facing up and doing the hard stuff that much harder. Much easier to avoid it. Avoid it long enough and maybe it will just go away. Ignore it and just run with the status quo. I have to fight that natural tendency in myself. And one weapon I use in that battle is books.
The heroes and heroines in books rarely do things the easy way. They don’t settle for the status quo. They resolve to do something and despite any adversity, they get the job done. So to help me stay on track with my resolution to get more exercise, I’m going to delve into my To Be Read pile and start reading. I’ve got a collection of Truman Capote short stories that’ll be great—on the exercycle. Oh yeah…
When facing a problem, do you find you long for an easy solution? Or are you one who confronts and does the hard things? Who was the last character who moved you to cheers or tears when s/he conquered something that was hard?
I’ve been talking about organizing for year, and now with my own business as an indie author (and with tax season here), I realize I need to be much more organized in that area. It’s too late for last year, but I’m already making strides for this year. And, yes, it means I have to stop what I’m doing and put the figures in the right place immediately (procrastination NOT allowed), but I’m doing it.
And because we will probably move this year, and our house will be for sale, I’m going to organize my house, too. I’m starting today with the worst place. My office! I sure wish there was an easy button for that.
Edie,
Organizing a whole house for sale is a huge chore–good luck with that. Yes, I can readily see why an Easy button would come in handy. But it sounds like you’re already making a plan for your financial records, so celebrate that.
I’m tackling edits on the next super agent book before I submit to my editor and, yes, I’d rather have an Easy button to do those. What’s in my head doesn’t always translate to paper well. But once I dive in, I’ll be fine. It’s getting past that initial decision to do it. I’m the same way with organization (I’d love to be more organized, too, Edie) and exercise. Once I’m on the bandwagon, I feel good and can keep the momentum flowing. It’s hauling myself onto the wagon that’s the hard part.
LOL, Misty. I think every author wishes for an Easy Edit button. But you’re right, once you get into the editing routine, the brain sorta switches gears. Best wishes–and I look forward to seeing the next spy novel!
Thanks Amy, the “easy button” is a great way to remind us there are no short cuts in this business. I thought all I had to do was hit that button and I’d be an instant success, complete with agent, major publisher and my name on the NYTBSL. Later, after the star dust was cruelly washed from my eyes, I sat down and did it the only way, the long, hard way and as the man said … “took the road less traveled … and that has made all the difference.”
florence fois`s last blog was …The Writer’s Life … Reading, Movies and Music …
Florence, you’re so very right about this business needling talent and a lot of hard work. So glad that you didn’t shy away from the hard things! Enjoy the journey and the growth.
I was moved to tears by the character Mia in the book If I Stay by Gayle Forman. I recently read that and Where She Went, the sequel. At the beginning of the book Mia is in an accident and her family dies. She is in the hospital, barely alive, looking over herself, and has to make the decision, should she fight to stay alive, or die to be with her family. Dying seems so much easier. She definitely didn’t have an easy button for this decision. Awesome book!
Beth, that sounds like an amazing hook for a book. Truly a hard decision and no Easy button in sight. Thanks for the recommendation (great, now I have another book to add to my TBR pile…)!
I don’t mind the hard stuff as long as I know the steps to get there. I just finished reading Horizon by Sophie Littlefield. OMGoodness, zombies, bad guys, choices to be made. I love Cass Dollar and how she deals with her hard, hard life.
Jill James`s last blog was …Someone To Trust by Jill James
Jill– Another great recommendation. How can anyone resist HARD when there are zombies involved? LOL Truly, zombies always remind me that my life is, after all, pretty doggone easy.
Easy is always good, IMO. But when things aren’t easy … I have to gear myself up to tackle it. The task could be writing, cleaning or … hell, when we did my daughter’s entire bedroom. Once I make up my mind and get myself into the zone, I get it done.
You know, that’s the one thing that always bothered me about those people who rip apart romance novels. They say they’re silly and simple, that everything comes together too nicely. When really our characters have to go through a whole lot of horrible situations and ups and downs in order to have that HAE.
I wish things were easy but always roll my sleeves up to do the hard work. and always glad I did!
Karin* Tabke aka Harlow!`s last blog was …National Bestseller
I’m from obviously dour, Methodist Scottish stock, LOL. The kind who eat their breakfast standing up because sitting down and relaxing would be to much like luxury
)
As a result, I always have a sense that if something is easy, there is either a catch, or I’m doing it wrong. I really don’t know what that says about me . . .
Michelle Diener`s last blog was …Keeper of the King’s Secrets Reviewed in Publishers Weekly