Gone Skiing

>Yes. Absolutely worth it. I hope time stands still for you this weekend. Enjoy your beautiful family!

>I absolutely wonder at times if it's worth it. But then I see something I've written in print or I hear a comment about how a piece of mine has ministered to someone, and then yes, it's all worth it…

>Absolutely! And the toughest challenges are probably the most satisfying when accomplished. Have a wonderful time. Cute photo.

>Yes! I've wondered that. And yes! It's worth it.

>While I'm putting on all my snowboarding gear I ask myself the same thing. This year I'm not able to go I had two knee surgeries, I miss snowboarding a great deal. I use to go outside when there getting ready to close the lifts and the snow machines are shooting snow out down the mountain. It was amazing! So now I spend my time reading and writing for hours. It's all worth it!

>I think all writers wonder that at some point. But it is the love of the craft that keeps us going. I am not a skier. The thought of getting on and off a lift terrifies me, and having to navigate my way down an enormous hill on two thin pieces of wood or whatever they're made of now just about blows my mind. I think writing is similar. Just as you take a chance every time you get on the lift, that you're going to come down that hill all in one piece, so do we when we sit down to write that next chapter, or polish a manuscript and submit it. We have to believe that somebody somewhere out there will resonate with our words. And yes, sometimes we fall. And it hurts. But, like a good run, the finished product of what we worked so hard for, is well worth it.
Enjoy the slopes and I shall enjoy the sound of my fingers flying across the keys of my laptop! May we both find success and pleasure in the moment.

>I've never gone downhill skiing, but with anything you enjoy, the prep is very worth it. Enjoy your day on the slopes!

Is writing worth it–the rejection, the waiting, the wondering?? Oh, yeah! Big time worth it. All that hard work eventually pays off.

>Do I ever wonder if all the writing is worth it? Pretty much every day (ha!). But then if I don't do it, it just calls me back, because my mind keeps working on the challenge of the story.

>Yes I wonder and yes it's worth it. I'm pretty good at procrastinating, but then when I finally sit down to write and really get in the flow it's so satisfying I wonder why I don't write every waking moment.

Enjoy your day in the snow!

>Again today I am reminded, you are indeed the poet inside the agent

It is worth … the long hours with no guarantee of outcome … the worry and the doubt … and at last the payoff … that one moment when you are inside the magic.

>Many joyous memories for you and your family!!

>This is a great analogy!

I love to both ski and scuba dive. Both sports are very gear intensive and require travel and preparation. but both sports have the same saying: There's no such thing as a bad dive. There's no such thing as a bad day on the slopes.

Just like with writing, all the classes, the learning, the preparation, the risks, and the blunders are all worth it for those moments when you're doing something you love, getting better and better at it, and lost in your own world.

>Enjoy your time away:)) I only skiied once in Vermont as a freshman in colllege and paid for it dearly:)
Yes, there are moments I wonder why write. But haven't figured out how to stop yet.

>Snow covered trees. Thick snowflakes. Totally worth it. Writing evokes the same feeling within me.

>Wait–there's a sound system in your helmet? That's so cool! You really do learn something new everyday I might just have to try skiing someday now–lived in CO my whole life and haven't tried it yet.

As far as writing…sure, I have those days. But mostly it's hard to even formulate the entire thought before I'm already assuring myself it's definitely worth it. Have a great time!

>Oh Nebraska living… where the tallest hill is the snow mound at the end of my driveway…

Your description makes me green with envy! Have fun!

>Theoretically writing always feels too hard, and some days I can scarcely envision my next move. But I can't seem to stay away. The unfinished projects are calling. I love the skiing analogy because you're right, it seems that everything wonderful in life is inconvenient and time consuming. And worth it.

>Is it worth it? Yes… and no. Yes, when I keep my eyes on the reason I write. No, when I get caught up in the tyranny of worrying about publication, popularity, and book sales. I feel God has called me to write–and to speak. So, I'll keep on writing and speaking as long as He plants ideas in my mind and gives me oppotunities. If it's for me and my own growth & development, great. If it's for others, even better! I'm honored when He allows me to participate!

Have fun skiing. I'm heading up to NorthStar at Lake Tahoe on Sunday to join my daughter and her family. I'm hoping to take the 2 1/2 year old snow shoeing! In three weeks I get a new knee, so maybe I'll be back on the slopes next year!

>Maybe I would have been better off staying in New Zealand, kiwis also make such a lot of effort for a good time. My neighbour in NZ once took five kids, youngest two on 4 hr drive to go skiing for 2 days. Can you imagine all those skiis to put on? Next time I feel gripey I'm going to think of her.

>Good question. I don't know the answer. But what I do know is that I give up a lot of fun stuff for the sake of writing that one more page…and for the sake of not having to deal with guilt for thaking time away from writing.

Glad you enjoyed your fun time in the snow.

>Asking if all the effort that goes into writing is worth it, is the same as asking if I'm worth the effort. I may not have believe it a few years ago.
My dream is like every other writer–publication. The more I write, the more I read, the more I fine tune the craft; it becomes a part of my soul and who I am.
Oh and I'm jealous too (skiing). Here I live in the springs and I barely even go. I guess I'm afraid my kids will tumble down the mountain.

>I don't ski but I go through that same angst every time I begin the preparations for any holiday trip. Everything seems to take so much effort. Sometimes I'd be just as happy to stay home, but once I'm finally away I always have a good time.

Writing is a different story. It's my escape and I never think of it as effort, even when I'm struggling with revisions.

Hope your weekend is wonderful.

>Take it from me, it's worth it! You can't put a price on something that's priceless. You're creating a memory and the memory will last a lifetime.

I too have two daughters and one son. All are now adults. Trust me; time passes fast. In a few short years your two daughters will venture out in the world in order to continue their education and paths in life.

The efforts you make now when you take precious time out of your schedules to create special memories will be the times all of you will be able to look back on later in life.

As we all know, nothing worth while comes easily in life. In most cases, it takes a great deal of effort and time to create something special and long lasting.

All of you will now be able to reflect, any time you choose, on the special day you described. I can almost guarantee you won't remember the time, effort and costs involved.

All that will remain is a priceless memory…

This the same way I feel about my writing. It will be worth the effort.

>Your girls are precious! Glad you took time out to enjoy. We have to create some balance to all our hard work. Writing, blogging, agenting, and publishing can be intense. I didn't even mention parenting!!! Your pictures answered the question….YES.

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