In defense of Twilight, even though I hate it: Part One

I have a lot of legitimate criticisms of Twilight. I read the first book, and never even tried any of the sequels. I have a strong disdain for passive heroines, and Bella is about as passive as it gets.

However, this is not about my baggage. It's about what makes this series resonate with so many people.

Let's talk about one aspect of Bella's passivity - namely, that you don't have to do anything to be considered worthy of love. You just have to be you.

We all seek to earn love - we get good grades (or bad grades), keep a clean house, save money, wear the right clothes and the right perfume, know all the outrageous sex tips, try to read someone's mind....

You get the picture.

But Bella is the object of Edward's obsession merely by sitting around, sleeping, and smelling really really good- all on her own. No special powers, no twisting herself into something she's not for approval, no Cinderella-type makeover to make someone notice her.

How powerful and hopeful of a message is that?!

You. Don't. Have. To. Earn. Love.

It's a radical thought in a society that tells women how they need to act to 'get a man'.

Twilight isn't my cup of tea, but it beats The Rules any day of the week.

No fear?

A dear friend of mine has characters and stories roaming her head. She wants, no, yearns to write.

Just like the rest of us, she is frightened.

Writing is scary stuff. Let's list a few of the things that can scare someone.

1. Rejection by publishers.
2. Rejection by agents.
3. Rejection by friends and family.
4. The possibility that you really DO suck.
5. The possibility that you might learn something about yourself that you didn't want to know. (I was pretty surprised that I wrote vampire stories. I wanted to write screw-ball comedies).
6. Bad reviews.
7. Good reviews.
8. Not getting published which leads to...
   
9. Feeling like you've wasted your time.
10. Not making money.

Not too shabby for about five minutes of thinking on what scares me, eh?

These fears are real. They stop people in their tracks every day. They even stop me from time to time.

I have no easy answers about how to not be afraid. In fact, these fears are important. You have to look at them and say, "Well. What if I do suck? What if my work does gets rejected from now until the end of time?"

The payoff might not be worth the pain. If so, then congratulate yourself, and realize that there are many other dreams waiting for you! Maybe you will find fulfillment in improv comedy or Linux open-source work.

Make your fears work for you.

What's the difference...

between not blogging because I have literally been away from my keyboard for the last two days (not even able to check my email!) and not blogging because I didn't feel like it??

The end result is the same, but it certainly feels different!

My brain is a strange place.

Just how would a totalitarian regime based on fun instead of fear operate???

Back in the saddle again.

I'll be honest- yesterday's post was a little bit of a cheat, but I'm back on track today.

I want to talk more about Getting Things Done. Here's a section of the back blurb:

David Allen's premise is simple: our productivity is directly proportional to our ability to relax.... From core principles to proven tricks, Getting Things Done can transform the way you work and live, showing you how to pick up the pace without wearing yourself down

I'll be honest. Before I read the book, that sounded like so much snake oil, thank you so very much. Then three things changed my mind.

On page 15 (of my copy, at least), he says:

Why Things are on Your Mind
Most often, the reason something is one your mind is that you want it to be different than it currently is, and yet:

• you haven't clarified exactly what the intended outcome is;
• you haven't decided what the very next physical action step is; and/or
• you haven't put reminders of the outcome and the action required in a system you trust.

Then, in Chapter Three (I love this chapter), Mr. Allen discusses two crucial and related points that just blew my mind the first time I read the book.

First, he talks about clarifying the purpose behind a project. For example:

It never hurts to ask the 'why' question. Almost anything you're currently doing can be enhanced and even galvanized by more scrutiny at this top level of focus. Why are you going to your next meeting? What's the purpose of your task? Why are you having friends over for a barbeque in the backyard? Why are you hiring a marketing director? Why do you have a budget?...

To know and be clear about the purpose of any activity are prime directives for clarity, creative development, and cooperation.

And then comes my very favorite part.

Here are three basic steps for developing an outcome/vision:

1. View the project from beyond the completion date
2. Envision "WILD SUCCESS"! (Suspend "Yeah, but...")
3. Capture features, aspects, qualities you imagine in place

How many people encourage you to envision not just success, but WILD SUCCESS? In a world where the most common reactions to someone's bold dream is, "How will you support yourself?" or "Grow up" or even "Get a haircut and get a real job", the mere act of seeing what your idea of greatness is will inspire and thrill you.

My WILD SUCCESS is not just about NYT Bestseller List (but believe me, that is right up there!). It's about sharing beauty, ideas, and making the world a better place, even in a very small way.

What is your WILD SUCCESS?

Place holder post

Sorry I missed blogging yesterday- I was immersed in the wonderful world of Saqra's First November Belly Dance Showcase.

I loved it. It was a wonderful way to kick off the holiday party season. More later!