Wednesday, August 01, 2012

WHAT LIES WITHIN US


Please welcome one of my BFF's and critique partner, Geri Foster.We've been friends for many years. Currently, she is President of the Yellow Rose RWA chapter to which I belong, and is doing a fabulous job. She is a tiny dynamo who cheers me when I'm down, encourages me, and, as the kids say, "she has my back." Here's Geri to brighten your day::

Author, Geri Foster

Those who know me know I love quotes. I have them everywhere. My house, my car, my desk, my office... You give me an empty space and I’ll nail up a quote.

I particularly like to read Ralph Waldo Emerson. One of my favorites is: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. And when we bring what is within us out into the world, miracles happen.”

Yeah, that’s on my desk!

As a writer I think Emerson is talking to the creative spark inside us that creates every word we put on paper. Writers are such magical creatures we don’t even know our own powers. Writers pull more stuff out of the ‘blue’ than any other profession. We put together other worlds, people, towns, tragedies and love stronger than anything else on earth. The amazing thing is, people reading our books believe they are real. We transform the reader into another world.

And we do it without acknowledging where it all comes from. All of us have sat in the dark and typed away on our computers; creating God only knows what, until it’s done. There are times I have no idea where I’m going with a story, but something within me does. Something guides me to the end of that raw chapter, and often ignites an idea for the next chapter.

To some, it’s simply their muse. It shows up and words get written on the page. Ideas materialize out of nowhere. All is well, and the muse gets all the credit, for we are mere mortals. Nothing of genius comes from us.

It does according to Emerson. It’s all within us right now and has been since the very beginning. There is more within us than we can ever imagine. The stories are unlimited and they get better and better as we go along. We overcome great adversity, we learn things we never knew. We push to the absolute limits of our imagination to come up with a plot others will believe.

We’re writers, so we’re mystical.

I leave you with this quote by Orison Sweet Marden: “There are powers inside of you, which, if you could discover and use, would make of you anything you ever dreamed or imagined you’d become.”

Write On!

Geri Foster

8 comments:

Caroline Clemmons said...

Geri, thanks for the encouragement. I love quotes also. I love my "Friendship is a sheltering tree" plaque on my desk.

Unknown said...

I believe what you say that as writers we had what is in us all along. Never did I think of myself as a writer--never wrote anything--until around 2004, then one story after the other rolled out of my head and onto the computer screen. I have wondered so many times--where did that come from? My readers and friends ask...how do you think of all those stories? Well, I don't. They just appear and start coming out. Thanks also for the encouraging words.

Lyn Horner said...

Hi Geri. Thanks for your inspiring thoughts. I also love quotes. In fact, I've begun a new Wed. feature on my blog: Womoen's Wit and Wisdom. I'll be posting a new quote in a little while. Stop by today if you have a minute.
http://texasdruids.blogspot.com

Alison E. Bruce said...

I've shared the Emerson quote and a link to this post on my Facebook page. That quote is a keeper.

Thanks

Unknown said...

What an inspiring post, Geri. No wonder Caroline is so fond of you. Writers tend to be sensitive creatures, at least on the inside, I think. Words of encouragement like these are such a blessing. :-)

Carra Copelin said...

Geri, you are an inspiration and, as I'm finding out, a tiny human dynamo! I've had more inspiration from you and the wonderful group that is Yellow Rose RWA since I joined in February this year than I've had in a long time. Thanks and never change!

Carra Copelin said...

Caroline, thanks for reposting this wonderful post. I needed this today!

Elaine Stock said...

Geri, thanks so much or your encouragement--just what I need as I'm about to dive into my WIP! Blessings on your own work.