Motivational Week- Quote #5

So as you may have noticed, I haven’t written anything in two days. Life got crazy busy for a bit and well, today is no exception, but I really wanted to make sure the last quote made it on here before tomorrow. So without further ado (without a huge ramble from me, as you all know I like to do *wink*), here you are:

"I'd rather be a could-be if I cannot be an are; because a could-be is a maybe who is reaching for a star. I'd rather be a has-been than a might-have-been, by far; for a might have-been has never been, but a has was once an are." - Milton Berle

If you’re like me, you’ll have to reread that. I’ll wait a moment.

Good? OK.

Once I figured out what this quote was saying, I loved it. A revelation hit that I COULD be a published author. It’s possible, it’s attainable, and though I’m not right now, I CAN be! I don’t know why this excites me so much, but there’s just something about that sheer fact that always puts a smile on my face. Seriously, think about the one thing you dream of doing and now say to yourself, “I can be a ______!” Feel better? Yes, no, maybe? Either way, it makes me feel like it’s only a matter of time before I reach my star.

It also always bothered me when aspiring authors have nothing nice to say about people who have made it in the writing business, especially the ones that call people “has beens” (someone who is no longer popular). When I hear people talking down other author's work, or just the author themselves, I can’t help but think, “Yeah well at least they made it, have you yet?” I don’t know, it just really strikes a nerve with me. A has was once an are, my friend, and you are neither, so just stop talking.

My biggest is example is how I see these aspiring authors on forums lately ranting about how “terrible” and “sloppy” Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series is and I can’t help but think, “I’m sorry, which one of you is selling millions of copies of their book, watching famous celebrities portray their characters in box office hits and now (as I saw in Barnes & Noble yesterday) is having their book turned into graphic novel?” I won’t lie, I have yet to read the Twilight series, but after I do (or for any book for that matter), no matter what I think of it, I would never talk it down. I may not be a published author, but I still see myself in the same field of work as Ms. Meyer. Though I may have never met her, and she doesn’t even know of my existence, I still consider her a colleague and will do nothing but support her. Everyone's a critic, I guess. It's OK Stephenie, I am very happy for your success and congratulations on making it!

So much for not having a huge ramble today ;-).