Yesterday I played the piano for my daughter when she sang in church. She has had a sore throat and cold over the last week, and as we were practicing Saturday night she was concerned that her voice would crack and she wouldn’t do as well as she usually does. Still, she was confident that she would do fine. Her vocal teacher told her that she already has “very good” down pat and now she has to work on being amazing. But even if she has a less than stellar performance, as long as she puts in her best effort, the audience will still love “very good”.
How often do we do something well, but won’t share with others because it isn’t amazing? When working on a manuscript, I can edit for months and still feel like the words just aren’t cooperating with me. The temptation to hide it in a drawer and never let anyone see it is always there, yet I know that letting the story molder away in a corner defeats the purpose. I write for others. There is nothing more satisfying than hearing something that flowed from my pen has touched someone’s life and got them thinking. That hidden away manuscript doesn’t help anyone, especially me.
I often have to bite my tongue when someone tells me about a scene in my book that they particularly loved. So often the first thoughts in my mind are how I could make it better, because let’s face it, nothing is perfect. When I step back and think about the comments I’ve received, I realize that the stories I tell can touch people’s lives despite their imperfections.
It’s like my daughter’s singing. To most of us, her voice is amazing – clear, sweet, strong. Yet she hears the word that didn’t come out exactly right or the note that didn’t get held as long as she wanted. Despite still having much to learn about the voice and how to use it, she always brings a wonderful spirit into the room when she shares her talent. The rest of us wish we could sing as beautifully.
It’s interesting being imperfect. There is always something new to learn, a different technique to try, a mistake to fix, and a new skill level to reach for. I think if I wrote the perfect book every time, the process would lose something and become boring. For me, part of the joy is the learning I do along the way. I keep reminding myself, if our audiences love our “very good,” just wait until they see amazing!
7 comments:
Thank you for this. I appreciated this. It is actually something that has been on my mind this past week. Funny thing is that to us we are often just "very good" but to others, some things that we do really do just seem to be "amazing". You, sis, are amazing.
This is something that has also been on my mind recently. I'm "good" or "acceptable" at many things but a "master of none." I don't show my talent to others because it's not as good as the next person's, but maybe it's better than I think. Anyway thanks for your post.
Thanks for your comments. As far as I'm concerned, amazing must run in the family!
2 things: first, your writing IS amazing to me. It is a gift that I definitely don't have. A beautiful talent! second... don't hide your manuscripts in a drawer! We're all waiting anxiously for book 2 to come out!
Beautiful post! It's so true, and something a lot of people, even those who aren't writers or singers, can relate to. I love the last paragraph!
Great post!! I wish I had stuck with piano lessons. Unfortunately I didn't and I definately regret it.
Thanks, Christy. I wish book two was hiding in a drawer, but that one is still on the drawing board.
Erika, I think everyone can relate on some level. We all have unfinished dreams and being imperfect is part of the fun.
Vivien, it's never too late to start. My grandmother always wanted to play the piano but never had the opportunity to take lessons until after her kids left home. I remember going to her house when I was a teenager and hearing her practice. You are never to old to work on a new talent. :)
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