Persistence is Key
Nothing gets done in this world without one, simple truth: persistence.
Without persistence, we wouldn’t have one of our greatest American Presidents, Abraham Lincoln — admittedly an exalted example — because what most people fail to remember from the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas Debates is that Abraham Lincoln was then a candidate for the United States Senate from Illinois. And he lost, which ultimately was a great thing for the country (how could Abraham Lincoln have become President in 1860 if he’d been a sitting Senator?), yet he couldn’t have known this in 1858.
In the writing field, the career path of Sharon Lee and Steve Miller has already been discussed, extensively, by me, as they are shining examples of what persistence, faith in yourself and genuine talent can do to keep dreams alive.
In the music field, the career of Art Pepper (1925-1982), alto saxophonist, is an insightful example. Pepper had major drug problems, and ended up in prison for over ten years in the 1950s, just as he was starting to make a name for himself. He resumed his career after that ten years only after he met his third, and last, wife, Laurie; some of his best work was recorded between 1975 and 1982, the year of his death. In his autobiography (transcribed by Laurie Pepper), STRAIGHT LIFE, Pepper described the difficulty he had in believing he could still make great music, and credited his wife, Laurie, for her faith and belief in him until the end of his life. (Sometimes, behind every great man really is a great woman.)
And not everyone becomes famous or appreciated his or her lifetime; Charles Ives (1874-1954) is a famous example in music (he was a composer, but was known more for being an insurance executive than as a composer or musician). Ives’s best-known composition, “Variations on America,” features bitonality and polyrhythms, and was far ahead of its time in how melody and harmony were conceptualized. Ives, in general, was at least fifty years ahead of his time in how he conceptualized harmony and melody. (This is partly why Ives’s music wasn’t much appreciated until he was near death, and afterward.)
Going on with this theme, Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) was barely-known during her lifetime; she’d written thousands of poems, but only a dozen were published during her lifetime, often altered by publishers to “fit the rules of the times.” (Haven’t we all heard this, writers?) She was known for writing poems without titles; for using “slant rhymes,” or close-to rhymes (like “ill” and “shell”); for short sentences, and for unconventional capitalization and punctuation.
All of these examples — every single last one of them — shows the importance of continuing to do whatever the person (or people) in question was good at, because by doing so, that was eventually what caused the breakthrough in every single life. It wasn’t always noticeable at the time — I’m sure Sharon Lee and Steve Miller had no idea their Liaden Universe (TM) books had become so popular before the advent of the Internet (they’ve said so, in other places) — but that was what did it for them.
In other words, PERSISTENCE IS KEY. Because we cannot force a breakthrough; we might not even recognize a small breakthrough when it happens. But we can persist, and keep on going; we can continue to believe in ourselves, and keep up “the good fight,” while refusing to surrender our creativity to anyone for any reason. And being married to a good person — as Sharon Lee is to Steve Miller, as Charles Ives was, to Harmony Twitchell, as Art Pepper was, to Laurie Pepper — can really and truly help.
It is that last quality that I tend to highlight, being fortunate enough to marry the right man for me, Michael B. Caffrey, and I do my best to remember, every day, how much faith and belief he had in me. But all of the other qualities — talent, self-belief, drive, honest ambition, a willingness to “do your thing” regardless of what anyone else thinks about it — are just as important; in some cases, like Emily Dickinson’s, if a person was relying on finding and marrying the right person to propel him or her to greatness, it just wasn’t going to happen.
So I urge you, once again, to keep on trying. Refuse to give up, no matter how long it takes. Give yourself a chance, even if no one else will . . . and do your best to let your dreams take shape.
My favorite “comfort books”
After several extremely trying days, I read some of my favorite “comfort books” in order to feel better and be able to keep going. And that got me thinking about what, exactly, is a “comfort book?”
To my mind, a “comfort book” is one that will give you a positive feeling time and time again. It’s a book that gets your mind off your troubles, or at least diverts you from them somewhat. And it’s a book that you tend to admire for some reason — maybe due to how well the writer in question uses language, maybe because the characters “speak” to you, maybe because it has a bright and lively feel to it, or maybe just because these characters have survived something terrible but have lived to tell the tale.
These books all inspire me to do more, be more, and to keep trying, no matter how hard it gets and no matter how long it takes. Though the plotlines are disparate, and the situations all over the map, they all have in common one thing — they reach me, no matter how awful I feel, and no matter what sort of chaos is going on all around me.
So in no particular order, here are my favorite books that I turn to again and again when I’m feeling the most down and out:
MIRROR DANCE, Lois McMaster Bujold — Mark Vorkosigan’s story goes from anti-hero to full-fledged hero, has huge peaks and miserable valleys, and contains some of the best writing of Ms. Bujold’s career to date.
CORDELIA’S HONOR (omnibus of SHARDS OF HONOR and BARRAYAR), Bujold — Cordelia Naismith Vorkosigan’s story is humane, interesting, revealing, and engaging. Cordelia makes her own life her own way, yet realizes she’s as fragile down-deep as anyone else. Finding a mate as extraordinary as she is in Aral Vorkosigan is half the fun — watching what they accomplish together is the rest. This is my favorite of all Ms. Bujold’s novels/novel compilations; it also was my late husband Michael’s favorite work by Bujold.
Poul Anderson, the “Dominic Flandry” series (two outstanding novels in this series are A KNIGHT OF GHOSTS AND SHADOWS and A STONE IN HEAVEN) — Flandry is an interstellar secret agent, a literate and erudite man with impeccable taste who still manages to be a flawed human. He’s also a bon vivant with an alien valet and a romantic heart buried beneath his cynical exterior. If you haven’t read any of these stories yet, you should.
André Norton, FORERUNNER FORAY and ICE CROWN — Note that Miss Norton wrote many, many outstanding novels in the science fiction, fantasy, romance and historical romance fields; these are my two favorites. The former novel has a heroine in Ziantha who goes from unwanted child to highly-trained psychic, albeit in thrall to the latter-day version of the Mafia; how she breaks free and finds friends and companions is well worth the read. The latter features Roane Hume, an unwanted cousin forced to do her uncle’s will on a backward planet that knows nothing of space travel or advanced societies; Roane finds her own inner strength and throws off her shackles while finding the right man for her (more alluded to than delineated, but there), proving that knowledge indeed is power. (Note that André Norton was Michael’s all-time favorite SF&F writer. He had good taste.)
Stephen R. Donaldson — A MAN RIDES THROUGH. This is the second book of the “Mordant’s Need” duology and is a rousing tale of romance, mistaken motivations, political intrigue, and contains an unusual magic system dealing with the shaping and control of various mirrors. The two main protagonists, Terisa and Geraden, go from not knowing anything to being supremely powerful and confident in and of themselves while maintaining their fallible, undeniably human nature in a realistic way that reminded me somewhat of medieval epics (albeit with magic). Excellent book that works on all levels, and as always, Donaldson’s command of language is superb and worth many hours of study.
Rosemary Edghill, TWO OF A KIND and THE SHADOW OF ALBION (the latter written with André Norton) — the first is a hysterically funny Regency romance, the second is an “alternate Regency” with magic. Excellent books.
Mercedes Lackey, BY THE SWORD and Vanyel’s trilogy (MAGIC’S PAWN, MAGIC’S PROMISE, MAGIC’S PRICE) — both emotional and well-conceived, these books draw you in and don’t let go. Ms. Lackey is one of the most popular novelists in fantasy literature, and it’s easy to understand why.
KRISTIN HANNAH, WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES — I go back to this book again and again because of the strength of its romance between contemporary woman Alaina “Lainie” Constanza and the outlaw John Killian in 1896; this is a paranormal, time-traveling romance that gets everything right. The characters are engaging though deeply flawed, and have had terrible things happen to them in the past but manage to overcome all difficulties by believing in the power of their love — but taking time to get there, which makes things far more realistic.
Linnea Sinclair, AN ACCIDENTAL GODDESS. I enjoy all of Ms. Sinclair’s work, but it’s the story about psychic priestess Gillaine “Gillie” Davré in the far future (she’s a Raheiran, is also a soldier and member of the Raheiran Special Forces) that always draws me back. Gillie is a complex heroine that, despite her special abilities (of which she has many), still remains a flawed human being. (The Raheirans think of themselves as human. Other types of humanity, such as the Khalarans Gillie works with, tend to think of them as lesser Gods and Goddesses, which discomfits Gillie no end.) Her love story with Khalaran Admiral Rynan “Make it Right” Makarian, a man as complex and interesting as she is, holds my interest time and time again.
Jane Austen, EMMA and MANSFIELD PARK — these are my two favorite novels of Miss Austen’s output, partly because the first is a biting satire and the second a morality play in addition to the “comedy of manners” Miss Austen seemingly could write in her sleep. I appreciate Miss Austen’s work more and more as I get older; her craftsmanship was outstanding and her eye for detail even better. (Note that Jane Austen, like André Norton, was one of Michael’s favorite writers. It was because of Michael’s insistence that I re-read EMMA and realized the fluffy nature of it concealed biting wit and savage satire, then I went on to re-read everything else.)
Finally, there’s the writing team of Sharon Lee and Steve Miller and their entire “Liaden Universe” series. I can’t say enough how much I admire these two writers, how much I appreciate their fine series of books (twelve or so to date), and how much I’m looking forward to GHOST SHIP, the sequel to both SALTATION and I DARE.
These books are all emotionally honest, they get the issues right, they don’t play games with the reader and the way these writers use the English language is superb. I gain more every time I turn to these authors and their books, and I believe you will, too, if you give them a chance.
Dug out, but . . . (today’s status report)
Folks, Mom’s driveway is now mostly dug out. I say “mostly” because while it was dug out enough to get my car out earlier, some of the snow fell back onto the driveway and I only barely got back in after I went to check on Dad earlier this evening.
Dad’s fine, by the way; shaken up, but fine, after yesterday’s ordeal.
As for what was stolen — three pieces of jewelry, one with a $9.99 K-mart sticker still attached. (I really don’t know why the robbers took that.) Two were set with good quality aquamarines, one ring and a matching necklace; the total value of what was stolen, replacement-cost, was about $150.
I’ve already talked with the police about this. But I didn’t tell them the worst part — these creeps actually went through my late husband’s ashes, which I keep in a box. Apparently they thought this was a good hiding place for jewelry or some such; bad enough that they went through every bag in my Dad’s house, all my clothes and books and personal possessions of all stripes, but they had to violate my late husband’s ashes, too?
Note that the only reason I didn’t bring this up was that the policeman was talking to me and my father. I didn’t want him to feel worse than he already did. But I will point it out in the near future, guaranteed.
I’m glad my father was not hurt and that all the things that I value greatly because Michael gave them to me, or they were Michael’s, are all there, intact. (Michael’s ashes, though disturbed, were still intact as best I could discern. But it’s really terrible these unprintable unprintables went through Michael’s ashes.) I’m glad it’s no worse than it was.
But as far as I’m concerned, these creeps aren’t even good enough for Hell.
Status: Partially Dug Out
It’s been a stressful few days here due to the tremendously bad snowstorm we experienced (that I alluded to in the previous post). My Mom’s house suffered seven to eight foot drifts all the way up to both doors; yesterday all we could do is to clear the furnace vent (for safety’s sake) and get a little bit in front of both doors removed (mostly by throwing hot water on it, then using a broom to brush everything else off).
Mom’s friend Roy came over today and first made a path to the garage, then cleared a pathway in the back for the dogs to go out. This took two hours.
We are still plowed in, and cannot leave, but it’s now possible for an emergency vehicle to get close enough to help — so it’s progress. I’ll take it.
If you’re wondering why my Mom and I could not do any more than this, it’s because we are both considered disabled, walk with canes, and have substantial other health problems that make shoveling snow contraindicated. We both had to figure out a solution to get to the furnace vent, then work very hard to clear enough snow off the back stoop (and down the wheelchair ramp) , and that’s all we were able to do with two hours of backbreaking work.
Mom just had another friend stop by, and he’s cleared a bit more, bless him. He said he’ll try to come back later to do more. (God bless him, and my Mom’s friend Roy, for help.)
I called my friends who live in the area and they were all snowbound, too — roads were impassable even when they were able to get out of their house, and many were drifted in as we were (with six to eight feet high drifts).
We suffered nearly two full feet of snowfall here, with extensive blowing and drifting. But we didn’t lose power, we were able to clear the heating and dryer vents for safety, and we’ve been able to keep going.
But my father was robbed by con-men after he’d been out shoveling for several hours (his property line is bigger); he was unhurt and nothing of his was taken. I’m grateful for this.
I have many things at Dad’s house and as far as he knows, my instruments, computers and other personal effects were undamaged but things were thrown around in major disarray. He doesn’t know what might be missing, and obviously, I can’t get out to check on him.
I don’t want to call my father to ask for his help right now, partly because of the unconscionable, reprehensible people who robbed him, and partly because he’s older now and has a great deal of property of his own to clear first. But once I can get out — and it does look likely I will be able to get out today — I’ll go to check on him, and in the process will inventory my belongings there and try to figure out what might need to be reported to the police as stolen.
I don’t like discussing all this, at all. But I figured I’d let you know why my discussing other, worthy topics just isn’t there right now — we’re still in crisis mode around here.
Snowstorm here — a big one
Folks, I made it back from an errand in Milwaukee this evening (went this afternoon, mind), but it wasn’t fun, and it wasn’t easy.
For those of you who live in Southeastern Wisconsin, please, stay home unless you absolutely have to go out. Most places will be closed, and rightfully so.
I know it sounds hypocritical for me to say, “Don’t go out” considering I was out in it, but I wish I’d have stayed home. The snow blew sideways, with visibility sometimes less than a few feet in front of me. No roads were cleared off, including the Interstate (I-94); there are severe white-out conditions along with heavy wind gusts up to fifty MPH.
I’m a good driver, and I’m cautious, so I made it. But considering how many four-wheel drive vehicles ended up in the ditch, not to mention more than a few 18-wheeler trucks (a whole lot of those guys need to learn how to slow down, too, I might add), I feel very fortunate to have made it back this evening.
So don’t be stupid. STAY HOME.
Stories at e-Quill Publishing and State of the Elfyverse
Folks, it’s that time of year again . . . time for my periodic “state of the Elfyverse” post, and also a friendly reminder of my stories, and Michael’s, that are available at e-Quill Publishing.
As for the Elfyverse — Part 45 of AN ELFY ABROAD is complete. Parts 43 and 44 have been revised and are complete. Part 46 has been started. Not a bad month’s work.
As for the Elfyverse (new) short story, “Boys Night In,” I have a new beginning that works a little better, but it’s still in progress. I’ve maybe added 500 words, total, since the last time I discussed it . . . more work to go on that one. The story stands, right now, at 8500 words in length.
“Keisha’s Vow,” the ELFY prequel set in 1954 (with dead characters being alive, while others are much younger), remains stalled out. Right now it’s in the novella range, but I think it projects to a full (albeit short) novel . . . I know what comes next but not quite how to get there, as if I’d missed a few steps along the path that is this particular story. Still working on this one.
As for ELFY, I haven’t found an agent yet, nor have I found a publisher for it, but I remain hopeful.
Now, as for the stories at e-Quill Publishing? One is mine alone, a short story satire about friendship, aliens, and unemployment called “The Fair at South Farallon.” It’s 3750 words long and is available at this link:
http://www.equillpublishing.com/the-fair-at-south-farallon.html
The next one is an Elfyverse short story that originally appeared at the Written Word Online Magazine in 2007, “Trouble with Elfs,” that was started with the able assistance of my late husband, Michael, thus he gets a credit for it. It’s available at this link:
http://www.equillpublishing.com/the-trouble-with-elfs-a-story-from-the-elfyverse.html
Finally, there are several stories of Michael’s available, the latest of which is the Joey Maverick adventure “On Westmount Station,” a story I finished for him and co-wrote. It is 10,000 words long, and if there’s interest in this story I plan to continue writing in my husband’s “Maverick” universe.
Please go to this link to find it; it’s a bargain at only $1.00 (Australian):
http://www.equillpublishing.com/joey-maverick-on-westmount-station.html
New book review at SBR for Donaldson’s “Against All Things Ending”
Folks, I don’t know even where to begin trying to discuss AGAINST ALL THINGS ENDING, except that it’s excellent and depressing, hopeful yet sad, and develops further Stephen R. Donaldson’s theory that in guilt lies power, providing you use that guilt with wisdom and intelligence.
Please read my review for more:
Barb Caffrey's Blog 