This week, I've been thinking about how lucky it is that I've got people to work with that understand the joys of a dangling carrot. For the last couple of years, it's been a real motivator: while I've created my own goals, I've had someone to cheer me on and offer some sort of reward for success. It never has to be something big or serious. Sometimes we send candy or cards. Occasionally we trade books. Sometimes it is something big, like a tee shirt or a piece of jewelry. But, more often than not, it's something totally funny. Among my favorite prizes are a little keychain-dangly Angel, a little knit bottle hat, and a little figurine of a woman with a sword (who is currently on my desk, wearing said hat). I'd like to hope that they've gotten the same giggle from the "Writing Rescue Dog" I sent as a trophy or the Halloween pins and stickers for goals accomplished in the weeks surrounding the holiday. Or baked treats. Or a candy they love and haven't had in a while. A little something to brighten the day and a lovely surprise in the mail. And these days, who gets good mail all that often?
And I know, that if it gives me a warm and fuzzy to see that lovely package in the mail, no matter what's hidden behind the plain brown wrapping, it does the same for my Comrades-in-arms. So, in giving there's an added and shared joy, a celebration of success for that other person and a wonderful knowledge of something wonderful is going to brighten their day, too.
I'm telling you this in part to say thank you to my writing mates, without whom this journey would be so much more difficult. While promising yourself ice cream for accomplishing something is great, it's just not as stimulating or rewarding as having a friend promise to send you stickers if you make it through another week of editing the story that feels like climbing Everest.
Your insights would be illuminating.... ;)
No comments:
Post a Comment