Good news! Prepare yourself for celebratory Star Wars gifs!
I rewrote the ending for Dragons in the Weaving, book two of the fantasy series I’m publishing next year. YAY!
Last time I posted on Hive, I was procrastinating deleting the final chapters of my first draft and salvaging the story by crafting something new. I think I’ve done that. Now, I’m doing another read through before sending it to writer friends for feedback.
When you’re working on something as challenging as a novel (or a series), it’s important to celebrate every win. I won’t even estimate how many hours of my life I’ve poured into this story, but I started it seven years ago. So… I’ve been at it for a hot minute.
Like most creations, a novel has many lives before it’s ready for the publishing process, which is another near-endless collection of things-to-do.
So many things to do. May as well enjoy the process, right?
One of the things that inspires me is throwing myself into other people’s stories.
I’ll be posting some book reviews on Hive soon, so if you enjoy fantasy books, keep an eye out for those. Reading other people’s work helps me remember that the goal I’m after is attainable. Others have done it before.
That said, I try to avoid comparing myself to other writers. We all have different voices, different stories to tell. Mine isn’t worse or better than theirs, just another flavour in the infinite variety of imagination.
Another thing that keeps me inspired and motivated is watching movies and TV series. The sheer amount of talent that is pooled together to create a movie is staggering. Someone, or a group of someones, comes up with an idea, and a whole crew of supporting players makes it happen.
Often, we think of creativity as a solo endeavour. And there’s definitely a lot of individual effort that goes into something like a novel, or a painting, or a song. But even the most isolated artist is influenced by others, inspired by something.
It’s important to acknowledge this part of the process. To honour the interconnectedness of art.
Following that thread, let’s trace my love of storytelling back to when I was a child…
My first girl crush was Princess Leia.
I was two when my parents brought me to the theatre to watch Empire Strikes Back. Return of the Jedi came out when I was five. For a while, Star Wars was my world, and I’m extremely grateful that George Lucas gave us this gift.
Princess Leia was my original idol. She taught me how to be a rebel. When other movies were portraying princesses that needed men to save them, Carrie Fisher played a character that showed me how strong women can be.
The value of that contribution can’t be overstated.
Thankfully, there are more badass women showing up in books, movies, series, and art forms of all kinds. But it’s still worth celebrating each one, because it’s been a long time coming. The stereotype of women being weak has been dragged throughout time, and has done a lot of damage both to women, and to men who buy into it.
Characters like Princess Leia help us shift the stories we tell ourselves. The stories we live out each day.
On the fourth anniversary of Carrie Fisher’s transition to the other side, I can’t help but get emotional about how much her work and her honesty around mental health means to me, and so many others. And, yeah, I might be a bit sad that she’s no longer around, but her bright spirit lives on.
Her legend will never die. That’s the power of storytelling, and the impact of a life well-lived.
My books will never be as big as Star Wars, and that’s okay. I mean, nothing will eclipse that galaxy of creativity.
But stories are like stars. They each add beauty and brilliance to the sky that is our world.
As I sit down each day to write, it helps me to keep in mind that my stories are worth telling. When imposter syndrome raises its ugly head, and I fall into thoughts of “I’m not good enough, why do I even bother,” I’ve got to check myself.
Doubt is persistent. To fight it, I focus on my accomplishments. To that end, celebrating every win becomes even more important.
As an artist who is driven, constantly striving to improve, I have to remember to acknowledge each step along the way, and look at how far I’ve come. I’ve published three books (two under Katrina Ariel, one as Leia Talon), I have two more lined up for release in 2021, and a stack of manuscripts to work on when those book babies are born to the world.
This is my life’s work, and I’m proud of it. If my stories inspire even one person, awaken their imagination or bring them a sense of joy and adventure, all this effort is worth it.
What about you? What wins are you celebrating as the year comes to an end?
It doesn’t have to be a huge accomplishment to celebrate, either. Honestly, if you’ve survived 2020 with something resembling sanity, you’re doing great!
Author bio: Leia Talon is an old-soul rebel, musician, mama bear to twins, and author of Shelta's Songbook: a collection of poetry with love notes from an immortal. Falling Through the Weaving the first novel in her fantasy series, is coming 3/3/21.
Visit her website at www.LeiaTalon.com
