Don’t forget! The contest described in yesterday’s blog ends tomorrow. So, there’s still time to enter!
I’ve decided to try to write a weekly blog for writers. Every Friday I’ll share a little of what I’ve learned: tips, philosophy, favorite tools. This first posting is something I wrote a long time ago, but still holds true today
Okay, now that Boy George’s song will be in your head for the rest of the day, let’s talk about karma and why you need it! I’m a huge believer that none of my successes would have happened without my creating positive karma around me.
My son’s early driving disasters taught me what karma was all about. Every time he drove somewhere he shouldn’t, he had a wreck. After the third wreck that injured his sister slightly, he finally believed that something was at work.
What does good or bad karma mean to me? Karma is the “energy” that surrounds you and helps or hurts you. It’s something you build—it can’t just happen to you. If you do good deeds—good surrounds you. If you do ill toward others, it clings to you like Pig Pen’s smutty cloud of dirt.
My sister, Elle, and I have preached “good karma” to our fellow Roses since before we formed the group. Whenever we were tempted to criticize another author’s writing or express envy for her success, we chanted the mantra—“good karma, good karma.”
But it goes farther than simply not denigrating someone else’s success. We firmly believe you have to contribute to others’ success for karma to work for you.
Even before we were published, we formed, along with Layla Chase, a critique group that served our San Antonio RWA chapter. We offered plotting retreats to our chapter members to share what we’d learned about writing along the way and encourage them to write the wonderful stories they plotted. We volunteered to serve as officers in our chapter and to help with the annual conference.
We shared our experience and knowledge with anyone who wanted it—and we didn’t wait for them to seek us out. We looked for the inexperienced or struggling authors. We recruited them.
Today, several of our “recruits” have published and placed in contests. When they have success, we’re overjoyed. We don’t want to keep all the success to ourselves, because karma must be shared to work.
So, maybe I sound a little New Age-y, but my experience has proven to me the Buddhist belief in karma. Go create some great karma of your own. Join! Volunteer! Contribute!—however much time and energy you can to other writers. The gift will come back to you tenfold.
“Karma, karma, karma, karma…” Just wanted to make sure you didn’t forget the song!
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I love the plotting bootcamp that you guys sponsor, and as a struggling writer really can’t thank you enough for being so generous with your knowledge!!
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So right! have you ever read The Secret? Much the same philosophy. My blog post the other day was about my bad day: my husband said I brought it on my self cause I didn’t want to be out and was mad that I had too, LOL.
Anyway, great post, thanks for all you do, I believe in modeling oneself after those whose success you admire so …I like to know what you do to achieve your success:)
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Chelle! It’s our pleasure. And we love to hear back from authors when their stories sell!
Rachel! I’ve listened to The Secret and found out I was doing a lot of the things they recommend. 😆
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So true…I tell my daughter there’s a reason why cliches exist. “Pay it forward” and “No good deed goes unnoticed” are a couple that my Mom used over & over while I was growing up. They still work today to keep that positivity flowing.
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Sonya! You are so right, and yay for keeping up the tradition!
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I totally believe in karma. I try to keep a positive attitude and help when I can. I’m hoping I’m storing up enough good stuff to put to use someday. Not that I expect anything but it is nice when it happens.
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First, thanks for the tune beating ’round and ’round in my tiny brain. Somebody hep me, please! Second, and more importantly, thanks for the reminders. Writing is so very solitary and can be so very frustrating. It’s essential to our own sanity to be able to share, receive and give to others. Whether it’s advice, critiques, information, sympathy or jokes, it’s all vital to our wholeness. Thank you to you and your sis for everything you do and to the group members you’ve brought together!
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Brandy! You will get your just rewards. You’ve earned tons of good karma. 🙂
Denise! HaHa! No help for it. Next week, I’ll come up with a more hands on topic. I just thought the reminder about being nice to each other was something that can’t be said enough.
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I feel really lucky that I found the Roses. Thanks for sharing all that good Karma. Love the title of the post!!
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Oh I belive in Karma and I am careful in everything I do in my life becasue I know its going to come back to me.
Everytime some boss or colleague hurt me I usually just say to myself just wait and see. You know what? It works, sooner or later you get what is coming to you, good or bad
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As you sow, so shall you reap. Karma is for real. It has been said so many times as: The only way to have a friend is to be one.
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Gale! Glad someone’s head didn’t spin with the song!
Rasha! That’s right. Water off a duck—flick!
Gladys! I love that saying. Will have to keep it in my affirmations folder. Thanks!