Most of us are familiar with some version of the old Scottish proverb, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”
Well, I’m beginning to think this very same proverb might be the theme for the entire year of 2020.
Per my previous post, last week I was on cloud-nine after it appeared I would be getting an exclusive interview with one of Anthony Bourdain’s best friends and writing an article commemorating Tony’s birthday on June 25th. I'd be publishing an article on my birthday (June 18th). It felt serendipitous.
However, good fortune and opportunity have proven mercurial once again. Zamir contacted me this weekend to tell me his agent had a change of heart. He apologized and said he may still be able to do the interview later this year. To be clear, Zamir is a genuinely nice person and I'm placing no blame, it was out of his hands.
As many of you know I’ve been a writer for a very long time. I learned early on the profession is extremely tough, it’s one fraught with seemingly insurmountable challenges and disappointments. You must develop a very thick skin if you wish to be successful in it and maintain any semblance of emotional balance.
At this stage, this kind of last-minute change of heart would’ve been a minor disappointment and I would have brushed myself off and moved on. Being a writer certainly teaches you one thing, that you're so much stronger than you ever would have guessed.
"Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal; it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys it." — Eliza Tabor
This time it really stung and it, honestly, took a few days to recover from it. It felt like one of those punches to the gut that knock the wind out of you. I hadn't had that feeling in quite a number of years. Frankly, the impact of it was surprising to me and a bit embarrassing.
I had such big plans for this article and had already invested hours into it. C’est la vie. That is life, at least the life of a writer and it’s the life I’ve chosen after all. I would have it no other way. For each home run in this business there are a multitude of swings and misses that usually go unseen.
The Lesson
As I always try to do when I cross paths with disappointment and challenges in life I look for the lessons. After a few days of soul searching I’m fairly satisfied that I’ve found those lessons. I feel considerably better now and stronger for it because I know I’m not likely to make those same mistakes again.
That Scottish proverb is true.
The best-laid plans often do go awry. I've learned that, more often than not, something far better is waiting for you on the other side. I'm excited and a little anxious to see what they might be.
I wish you all a good week!
Eric Vance Walton
(Gif sourced from Giphy.com)
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I guess one need to gain experience from a writer who have been long writer.
What does it really take to be a great writer if I may ask?
The ability to continuously learn and dogged persistence would be my top two picks but there are many others. It can be a lonely life sometimes. You have to be ready to spend long, often frustrating, hours in empty rooms alone with nothing but your imagination, laptop, or pen and paper. You have to be prepared to hear thousands of no's before you get a yes. Sometimes even when you get a yes the opportunity vaporizes (like this one). You really have to do it for the love of the craft alone or else you won't be at it long. When all of the stars are in alignment and you're working on something and get it right it is so sublimely satisfying, it's like nothing else in the world.
Thank you for the answer.
Why I ask is that I am a writer(you can check my blog to confirm that) but I am always aiming to improve myself more and more by getting advice, tips and experience ideas from people so as to help improve myself.
That is why I asked
You're welcome! That's great, how long have you been writing? Another lesson I've learned is to write for yourself instead of to please your audience. It can be a difficult life but it's also a very rewarding one if you stick with it.
As long as I can remember.
I remember when I was small a kid I mean, I usually write short stories and long stories but at times whenever I start writing the long stories one most especially, I find it difficult to conclude it.
I stopped writing stories and move to writing motivational write up and that I did for some years also before finally moving to the business and science genre because
(1). I am a lover of science (science student to be precise)
(2). I am a lover of business write up also.
It has really been longed I must say. Perhaps around 12-15 years ago
Oh, man, I can only imagine your disappointment! I'd been looking forward to that interview with a lot of expectations, too. I'm really sorry! But you'll see that other doors will open and new opportunities will rain down. As a motto of life I have always believed that God's timing is perfect and what happens is because it should happen and what doesn't, it doesn't. Renew your energies, poet, you still have whole pages of opportunities waiting for you. I embrace you tightly, @ericvancewalton
Thank you Nancy! I believe that things happen when and as they're meant to as well. For some reason it wasn't the proper time and I've made peace with that. I hope you're having a wonderful week!
Same to you, friend! ;)
Very great lesson.. but we still need to plan all the same right?
I like the way you write, your articles are engaging.
I think you should do a series on how to write may be just the basics on 3speaks.
Hive is lacking people who write engaging articles with the number present..
My people usually say a disappointment might be a blessing in disguise..
Thank you @bhoa! Great idea about the 3speaks series. I actually had an entire series on writing that I published on Steemit years ago based on my book on writing, One Word At A Time. The book is out of print now but you may be able to find some used copies around.
That saying is correct. Often times we find ourselves grateful for unanswered prayers because often they were not answered for a good reason.
Will i see the used copies in Nigeria ?
Amazon may ship there but I'm not sure. I'll try to find the links to the articles on Steemit for you. It's been a long time since they were published on there though...probably 2017.
Thank you. I really want to be good in writing even if hive doesn't require such deep expertise, i feel it will help me in contrnt and social media marketing. I also intend to publish journals. I will like to see it. Thank you so much
I am glad that you were able to take some lessons from it. It kind of feels like it was just one of those things though. Nothing you could have really done differently about it. Those dang agents, they are almost as bad as lawyers! :) I am sorry that this didn't work out for you. I was really looking forward to reading the post. Maybe I will still get the chance later this year.
Thanks, @bozz. Yeah, it just wasn't meant to be at this time. He wanted to do it but his hands were tied from the sounds of it. I hope I still have the chance to do the interview at some point!
Sorry to hear that @ericvancewalton, feel like especially right now disappointments can be particularly tough. Sending cheerful thoughts!
Thanks @dougkarr, I appreciate it! You're right, the timing of it, with everything else that's going on, probably magnified the disappointment.
@ericvancewalton, Unfortunate to know that but at the same time Writing Journey and associated Experiences taught you how to deal with these kind of Disappointments. Hope that soon abundant opportunities will going to knock your Virtual Doors.
Good wishes from my side and stay blessed always.
Thanks @chireerocks. Writing definitely prepared me for it, I feel much better now. Take care of yourself!
Welcome and good to know that.
Thank you so much for your kind response.
Enjoy your time ahead and stay blessed.
I think it's just the current situation we're all finding ourselves in is making it more difficult to take disappointments in our stride as nothing much is happening out there, so don't be too hard on yourself but all good things come to those who wait.
Before you know it, this will still take place.
I believe that is a huge factor. We're all carrying such a full emotional load already that it makes every little thing seem worse. Thanks!
Hi Eric, how are u doing? Maybe you feel disappointed with the loss of a very valuable opportunity. But believe all of that is God's plan. I hope that you get a greater opportunity than all that. Have a nice day, Eric.
All is well, Eliana! Thank you, I’ve definitely come to terms with it all. I hope you’re having a good week!