Steel Bends, But It Doesn’t Break
I spent most of my adult life buying millions of pounds of precious metals, stainless steel, copper, and brass goods. Steel is not invincible, but it gives, it twists, it sways. It might creak against the wind, but if it’s got the right composition, it doesn’t break. When everything collapses, it’s there, maybe twisted and torn, but intact.
So it is with the work of a writer’s hands.
When I wasn’t buying metal, I was pursuing my dream of becoming a published author. Proposals to agents winged their way back to me crumpled in envelopes with a firm no. Contest entries lay crushed at the bottom of the pile. Full manuscripts, twisted, mangled, rejected at the last minute with no warning of impending doom.
I could have quit, but instead I buffed the writing, polished off the rust, straightened everything out, and rebuilt again.
Every writer worth his or her salt has done this. We’ve developed a backbone of steel, tempered by time spent in the trenches of the writing life. When buffeted by disappointment, we hunker right back down and have another go at it.
We bend, but we don’t break.
This same strength of character is played out in the life of my heroine in Claiming Mariah. Mariah is faced with losing everything she owns and being thrown out in the streets. She bends to Slade’s will, but she doesn’t break. And throughout the course of the novel, she becomes strong, straightens, and builds a life for her family.
Diana Lesire Brandmeyer had this to say about Mariah, “Mariah is not a weak fussy help-me heroine. She does what needs to be done even though she’s hurting through and through.”
She bends, but she doesn’t break.
Being strong isn’t limited to steel, writers, or even characters in novels. Whatever you’re facing today, this week, this next year, be strong….
You can bend, just don’t break!
~
Pam is thrilled to announce the release of her second novel,
Claiming Mariah
Claiming Mariah Amazon link: http://tinyurl.com/apnzl5n
Claiming Mariah B&N link: http://tinyurl.com/ays6fq7
Claiming Mariah CBD link: http://tinyurl.com/bvjx3m7
Claiming Mariah Goodreads link: http://tinyurl.com/d9u2k6j
Claiming Mariah 1st Chapter: http://tinyurl.com/ageh54r
To celebrate, Pam is giving away two eReaders
(choice of Kindle Wi-Fi, 6″ Display, or Nook Simple Touch)
Two Winners: One on facebook. One through Pam’s Newsletter.
Facebook Drawing: Kindle/Nook Giveaway
Newsletter: Pam’s Newsletter.
Registering both places is not required but will double your chances of winning. Also keep in mind that you will receive updates more often being connected on facebook than through the newsletter. Just sayin’
Contest runs from January 1st until March 31st, 2013.
And….that’s not all! There will be prizes offered randomly throughout the tour.
This week’s giveaway:
Handcrafted Mango Butter and Goat’s Milk Soap
Giveaway sponsored by Magnolias & Sassafras
Also blogging today Morgan Tarpley.
Stop by and say hi!
http://www.pensonaworldmap.com/
This is absolutely true, Pam. Reminiscent of the 24 hour whining rule, lol.
Love the analogy to steel, Pam, both for writers and for our characters! Congratulations on your latest release!
Great post, Pam, and soooo very true!!
Cannot WAIT to read Mariah!!
Hugs,
Julie
Pam, loved hearing about your work with metal! And how you tied it in with writing. Mariah is a must read!
Congrats on your success!
Henry, thanks for hosting Pam. She’s a fantastic writer!
Henry, thanks for letting me visit your blog today. You know, reading back over my post, I’m so thankful that I’m not facing some major health of financial crisis that’s threatening to break me. PTL!
But, as the little foxes spoil the vine, sometimes the day-to-day stress can implode on me making me feel that I’m at the breaking point.
Praying everyone who reads this post finds the strength to bend, but not break, to whatever pressure (large or small) you’re facing!
Pam I love this. I like the steel comparison.
I like to think that a book is eternal. I know not all books stay on sale forever, but words in print endure. In our own way we are doing something eternal with our lives, much like being believers, where we’re doing something eternal with our souls.
Be strong….exact words a dear friend keeps telling me! I am battling a painful back problem…getting injections. Never been sick in my life, and this is a real challenge.
Enjoying your tour, Pam.