Passion,
is one of the most interesting words I have ever come across in my entire life. It is unadulterated, unfiltered, obsessive, beautiful and as far as I’m concerned – timeless.
I feel this way about writing and maybe more so than writing, the very consequence of that – words. I love words, I love the way they make me feel and the magic that they invoke when used correctly in a sentence quite frankly, turns me on.
It all started with a heart that bled. A stupid non-start relationship that left me reeling. Either way, I wrote about it, in the most broken, emotionally-charged way possible. Poetry. Something, that I grew to love and actually get pretty good at. I always loved writing, and whilst poetry seemed abstract and antiquated, it helped me understand the world around me and reaffirm my feelings within that space.
But I felt something bigger on the horizon, an itch that poetry couldn’t scratch.
So, it was only natural that this fickle poet would turn to bigger and better things, the all-encompassing novel. And I say it this way because a novel is a commitment. Poetry can be done in minutes if your talented, (so for me it took hours.) A book, on the other hand, can take years. The process of conceptualization and visualization is not something that happens in an instant. Many a night, I would sit like Yoda, with my legs crossed pondering the intricacies of the universe, only to find the next chapter of my novel – as I pulled it from the ether.
It went on like this for a long time amongst the avails of working full-time and the realities of the world trampling down upon me. I realised that if I set aside other things and focused on writing, I could accomplish great feats and to my surprise the baby that I had manifested, gave birth in the form of a completed manuscript and one that I was proud of.
But something was wrong, I didn’t believe in myself, or my writing. Yet, I knew to some extent that it was good enough, especially after reading 50 shades (boy did that set the bar low).
I began reading these horror stories about writers who had written beautiful anthologies that had no chance to see the light of day, because of the writing overlords who sit in their tenebrous towers above us all.
I wasn’t going to fail, some how I knew I had to get my work out to the masses, I needed to connect with people, even if it wasn’t my novels just yet, that’s when I heard about blogging….
A few months ago, I stopped writing my second book (which is almost done) and focused on blogging. Why? Because it felt right and the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this was my new path, my new way to explore my writing, a new vehicle for me to get my books out there.
The thing with dreams and passions is that over time, things change. That doesn’t mean your actual dream changes, but the way you go about achieving it – does. A lot of people perceive this as failure and that couldn’t be further from the truth.
You see, the path to success isn’t always a linear one, it bends, weaves and manipulates its course, much like time. Converging on moments that appear more important than others. When it comes to success, there’s no one size fits all. And honestly, you might think you have fallen further than humpty himself, but the truth is, you are still on the path.
“The winding road might look a bit like the beaten path, but this isn’t a Robert Frost poem, you are on your way to reaching your goals.” – Me
So, for those out there who feel like they have taken a step back from their dreams because the thing they are doing now doesn’t feel like it aligns with their trajectory, ask yourself, are you passionate about it? Because most times it’s the universes clever cute way of leading you right down the path you can’t see yet. So be passionate, be driven and you will get there, wherever there is.
Admirable post. Very uplifting.
It’s been two weeks I should probably write a post myself , Great post as always leo. What is your book about?
Very positive post. Really good way to start the day 😁
Thank you for sharing this.
Passion, yes… A beautiful word which felt displaced in my world for such a long time but is slowly raising its head to look me square in the eye once more. Its slow but sure return feeds my will and lifts me from spaces I no longer wish to reside. After inhabiting such darkness It feels like the most beautiful sensual synergy.
Blessings to you xxx
Beautifully said. ❤
I so totally agree, words are beautiful! I love the flow of words and how you can shape them and how they create such vivid imagery! I discovered poetry and writing at an early age, at about 11 after my grandmother passed away. Though my mom says when I would create cartoon drawings as a little girl I would always write stories to go with the cartoon characters. I recently heard someone say while listening to a podcast, if we look at we were doing at around age 10 that research has found that’s where most of our truest desires for our lives can be found. I feel like there may be some truth to that theory. Cartooning/drawing and creative writing have always been what I’m most passionate about, from an very early early age. It’s taken me a while to come back to it, but it’s funny how the universe always brings us back around to the path we’re meant to be on if we’re opening to listening.
100% true. What we truly love as children gets molded by society and they tell us we can’t do these things, and then suddenly we think that we cannot be successful doing the things we love when that is so untrue! We can reach our goals and we will be successful.
Exactly, well said! 🙂
Exactly how I feel about my novel, too! Cannot wait to read yours 🙂
We will get there 🙂
Such a beautiful post. Made me think about how your book is. Made me want to read those too. 😉
Mother of Pearl! I need to get those out there :). Thanks for the wonderful comment.
Hello Leo,
Thanks for sharing this uplifting post, I really enjoyed reading it. I’ve always enjoyed writing notes, quotes and yes even essays. Somehow, I did not know this was my passion untill last night when going through some old notes and found a bunch of old quotes and I had some sort of magical feeling! After reading your post, true passion will reach the goals! 😊
You quoting yourself is perhaps the most awesome thing I’ve read this week.
Haha, I’m crazy like that. Whenever something pops in my mind that sounds really good I normally write it down. So now I have tons of quotes lying around. I wonder if other people do that.
Hi handsome, what a talented boy you are! Whats’s your book called, I’d love to read it. Maybe we could do a swop, I’ll read you’res if you read mine!
Thanks sweetheart! I definitely hope I am talented and handsome, boy that would be amazing haha. I plan on posting some of it here on my blog page. I’m still contemplating wether or not I should try and get it published traditionally or self publish. Either way, I will certainly be posting some of my material here. What type of things do you write about?
Don’t doubt it sweetie, you got da flava! Self publish while you hunt out a traditional publisher, I can’t wait to read it. I’ve got two going now, one’s trauma related, my other blog is a where i’m putting up a story, a bit sex in the city meets rude and randy mother’s!
Whats your other blog called?
MIAW.blog. its quite raw, catty and in some parts explicit! All dialogue, its meant in humour! Go on have a nosy, you might fall off your chair in stiches, or lose your hair in shock! lol!
I struggle with holding on to my passion and convincing myself I am good at what I’m passionate about, isn’t that ridiculous? This year I made a promise to myself to keep going no matter what silly self-deprecating thing I say to myself to limit “success.” Thanks for this!
One thing I know for sure, is that it doesn’t matter how good you are at something in the beginning. All that matters is your determination and work ethic to be great at it, but if you are passionate about it and you want to be great at it I know you will be. Its just having the drive to get there.
Thank you for this post, it reminds me that I shouldn’t be questioning myself and that, sooner or later, i’ll get there. And you will get there as well, Leo! 😃
That was beautifully written! Very inspiring. Thank you for this. I feel I’ve walked away from a dream I thought would be great and sometimes I feel guilty but what I have instead I would never give up. Dreams bend. I love that! And thank you for liking my post. I would never have stumbled upon this amazing read if you hadn’t!
🙂 I’m happy you read it.
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Such a great post. Very inspiring!
Once more a truly excellent post 🙂
Such a timely post. I, too, had put blogging on hold. Today, I delved into SCBWI’s “The Book, and on page 256 it advises bloggers to “lead with passion.” It asks, “What is the point of you having a blog?” and says to define your passion and write it down. I did that earlier today. My passion turned out to be connecting with others. I added something about that to my home page. Now to start blogging again!
That’s beautiful!! I’m glad you found your passion. I believe that gives you focus.
So glad you are pushing ahead. It is all about passion. I’m in the same situation about believing in myself. I started to submit to writing contests, and everything I wrote, I’ve second-guessed and thought it was crap and .. have stuff I haven’t gone anywhere with. But the stuff I have a raving passion for, comes out pretty good — if I can get anybody to read it and give me feedback!
I recently read Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. I know exactly what you mean by being in love with words or “turned on” because I felt like his words were so delicious that I was consuming them.
Tastes like chicken haha.
Well, for me, most likely a delicious piece of dark chocolate. Something sweet and decadent. Lol
This post took me by surprise, in a good way. I was expecting one of those posts that tell you the reason you haven’t reached your goals is that you have been daring to waste your time on something you find relaxing instead of locking yourself up with just a laptop and some dry bread. I began reading out of duty, but ended reading for pleasure. What a lovely idea, that something I think I’m frittering my time away with enjoyably (reading and writing blogs) may well be part of the path to my goal. My daughter has a poster that says, ‘Time spent doing what you enjoy is never time wasted.’
I can really relate to the change in course: I want to be a novelist too one day, but on that path I found editing and publishing and I’m on a new course to continue that. I hope you do share your successes with us though when those books to make it to the shelves. I know I’d want to pick your book up!
Amazing! One day I will definetly share all of that. At least 1 person will read my books. Yes!
Such a great and inspiring post. It’s very important to be passionate and I truly believe with that passion, you will eventually reach whatever goal you set out for yourself. Writing came to be a sort of therapy for me when I was going through dark times and I hope to translate the woes and pains into a novel someday. Meanwhile I will blog until my hearts content 🙂
Awesome Post. Very inspiring.