HAPPY JULY 14TH
I was going to say “where does the time go” but the truth is, the time just disappears in a flurry of non-stop activities. It’s no mystery…I’m busy, and when I’m busy, time does fly.
The goats are keeping me busy. I’ve had to take on more customers to meet some unexpected bills, so the new novel has been put on hold until I take care of that “necessary” work. But it’s all good. We do what we have to do. That’s just life, right?
I watched a PBS documentary about Harper Lee last night. What a remarkable story about a dedicated writer…an extremely talented writer….in many ways a very lucky writer…and I was filled with much-needed encouragement after watching that show. Hers was the perfect book at the perfect time in history, but it darned near was never published. So many stars had to align just perfectly for “To Kill A Mockingbird” to become a part of our literary landscape.
Which leads us to today’s quote.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Back to the Harper Lee documentary. She almost had to quit writing. She was running out of money in New York and was about to cave to the pressures and go get a real job when a friend offered to give her enough money to live on for one year. He told her she had one year to write a great novel…..and so she did. But when she finished her manuscript she had a hard time finding a publisher who was interested. Finally one took a chance but then it took two years of continual editing and re-writing to reach the final product….and the rest is history.
And did you know that she grew up next door to Truman Capote. In fact, the character “Dill” in her novel is based on Capote. What are the odds that two great writers would live next door to each other? Serendipity?
And the ultimate in serendipity….her long-lost manuscript of her first novel, “Watchman,” is found and is now going to be published fifty years after it was written.
Life can be stranger than fiction.
TIP OF THE DAY
To paraphrase Winston Churchill….never give up!
If you decide to stop writing because you no longer find joy in it, then I applaud you for your decision. But if you give up because you are not receiving the acclaim you desire, then you really need to follow my dad’s advice and strap on some balls and be a man….or women, put on the big girl’s panties and be a woman. J
Nobody ever said this would be easy, so if you heard that and believed it, I’m very sorry.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
I’m just showing off our two new babies. It’s more a proud daddy showing pics than a prompt, but I hope you like it.
THAT’S IT FOR THE DAY
I’ve got customers to please and I’m sure you have things to do as well, so let’s call it quits on this installment. Thanks for stopping by and I’ll catch you down the road of life.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Aw, Bill what great food for thought and trust me I get it time here too has a way of just flying here and still nice to see a bit of an update yet from you. Happy Tuesday, my friend 😉
Thank you Janine. I can always count on you to visit. I appreciate you greatly.
Life happens, and when it does, we are bound to pay attention to those things that are required for our survival! We have been dealing with aging parents, and the challenges that go along with them, however, the keyboard beckons, and the muse still whispers that there is more to be said. Hopefully, things will calm down, and you can return to your quest.
Oh, I’ll get it done eventually, Denise, unless, of course, I die soon. 🙂 And I have no plans on doing that. Thank you my friend.
Bill, I thought of you this weekend as I was reading an article in the Sunday paper about Harper Lee. The Watchman is actually available for purchase as of today
Your goats are adorable. I’m looking forward to a new video now that your menagerie is growing. Hint hint!
Thanks Sha. Actually, Bev and I talk about making videos just about every weekend, but somehow we get sidetracked and don’t get it done. Maybe this weekend will see it actually happen.
Your baby goats are so cute! You can probably tell that I love goats. Someday (maybe next year) I will get my own again, but for now I’m remaining hunched over the computer racking up that word count!
Donna, I absolutely love goats. I’m so happy we have some again. To me they are the perfect pet….and I hope you get some next year. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Bill,
Great inspiration and practical advice about continuing to pursue a writing dream when the hope of getting published before funding runs out seems dim.
I always enjoy reading about famous writers whose best selling novel came close to never being published.
Glad you’re still pursuing your dreams while doing “bread and butter” writing in the present.
Love the baby goats pic which made me smile.
Sending Blessings and Love,
Gail
Thank you Gail! I’m blessed to be able to make more money when necessary. I love that I can turn it on or turn it off, depending on need…and I love that my book will always be there waiting for me to finish.
Thank you for being here, always, and blessings to you.
bill
Billy Buc, LOVE your “artistries” (is there such a word?)
Everything will fall into place, as you have said many times, it is life.
You have MANY years ahead of you, I KNOW it, and your excellent novel WILL get finished, all in God’s time. AND published.
LOVE the story you shared about Harper Lee and especially living next door to Truman Capote! It’s too bad all of us live in different spots, what a great writing group we could create!
My latest interruption is notification that my cousin in New York City is very ill. Long story. She is currently in ICU, and I have had to put on my writing brakes with numerous phone calls, —etc…
I just love your goats, and I have not even MET them!
I continue to pray for you all, and will definitely stay in touch. When I finish the material you sent me I will be emailing you. It is hard to put down. God bless you, Bev and your ‘family.’ My heart melts with the photos and stories you share. Sparklea/Lea
Lea, I’m sorry to hear about your cousin. I’m sure your prayers and words will give her strength. Your love is constant and that is a powerful medicine.
The goats and birds and rabbits send their love.
bill
Your new babies are so cute! Who needs TV when you’ve got that kind of entertainment? 😉 Loved the story about perseverance, serendipity and having joy in writing. My joy ended about 7 months ago, but I’ve got it back now – yay! Just needed to switch direction, and let go of a lot of the ‘fluff’. Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday.
Hey, Mel, it’s good to see you again. Glad you switched direction and let go of the fluff. Down and dirty, bare necessities…it’s the only way to fly. 🙂
Hi Billy,
Great advice from your Dad. It does seem to me that he and my Mum had some great lines to share. The goats are great and if there were any gaps in your schedule they have been filled with Joy, that can’t be bad!
Have a great day Billy
Sally.
Good morning Sally and thanks for being here again. The goats are an absolute joy. My goodness they are fun to play with. 🙂
bill
Beautiful words of encouragement,bill
Did not know about Harper Lee’s history and happ to know that Her fifty year old ms going into publication.
Congrats on another addition to your family 🙂
Thank you Ruchira! The new book by Lee is now available if you are interested.
I always enjoy your posts, but this one I really liked (and not because of the goats). I’m working on my book, but I’ve found that I love essay length writing. I sometimes feel guilty for not making big progress on my manuscript but then I remember why I write. I write because it makes me happy but only certain writing makes me happy and even those are on a scale.
Goats also make me happy. Imagine how happy I’d be if I wrote an essay about goats.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Cristen, I’m a big advocate of following your passion, and if your passion is not in novels then it has to be considered as not right for you. I love that you are that aware…as dad used to say, there is no sense in beating a dead horse. He ain’t moving. 🙂 Thanks for being here my Boise friend.
Good morning, Bill. The babies are so adorable. You’re such a proud pappa.
I ordered both ‘Mockingbird’ & ‘Watchman’ and read them both in one weekend. I knew ‘Mockingbird’ was a wonderful story but I had forgotten how rich the characters and settings were.
I don’t know about ‘Watchman’, though. Atticus is notable in that he seems to be a minor character; his brother seems to take centre stage. There were some continuity issues that I found annoying…I don’t know what to make of it yet. I may have to read it again at a later date.
I’ve been busy too trying to write a proper novel. I’m doing character studies at the moment and with a little help from the video game world, my characters are taking shape and scenes are starting to formulate in my head. With any luck I might actually have a chapter done by Christmas. 😀
Have a lovely Sunday, Bill.
Good morning Zulma and thank you. I really don’t know if I will read “Watchman”…..I don’t have a good feeling about it. As for your novel, I love the way you are going about it. Time takes time, as does quality. Rushing helps no one. Carry on with what you are doing, and have a brilliant Sunday.
Hello Bill.
‘What’s the odds?’ “We do what we have to do. That’s just life, right?” What if “we” can’t stop doing what we do , in order to continue because we can’t stop? “Serendipity” was a name of one ours bran new house – model , Zuzana has designed when we were running construction company. It was sold under construction because of its unanticipated uniqueness . Now, thats history, sweet memories, though nothing was in it ever easy “Nobody ever said this would be easy,”- what an encouraging thought. You always come up with encouragement maintain velocity … Thanks for that my friend.
Good night and many blessings.
Michael my friend, I always appreciate you stopping by and sharing some of your hard-earned wisdom. Do so again soon, my friend, and thank you.
I missed the documentary on Harper Lee. I’ll have to check out the archives. Love the goat photo and it makes a fun writing prompt. Have a great day, Bill.
Thanks Dianna! I hope you’re enjoying summer vacation, my friend.