The Sky Is Falling, A Tale of Doom
By Renee on Jan 5, 2009 in Inspiration, Publishing Industry, Writing Life
How many of you remember Chicken Little? I think, it, The Boy Who Cried Wolf and The Billy Goat’s Gruff were the prominent tales told in my childhood. Whether it was because they were my favorites or just the ones my mother chose to share with me, I’m unsure.
Now I don’t know about you, but if an acorn hit me in the head, I think I’d be cursing the squirrels. Of course, that’s because around here, they’ve been known to throw corn cobs. But, when Chicken Little got thwacked, she panicked. Fearing the worse, her panic led to mass hysteria when she informed a few others like, Henny Penny, Locky Cocky, and Goosey Poosey, which almost caused the villain Foxy Woxy to get a very sumptuous meal. 
Thankfully, for the sake of our paranoid characters, a hero rides in with his hounds to scare the fox away.
I ask you, did Chicken Little have reason to believe the sky was falling? She did get hit on the head.
Let’s take a look at something.
1. Chicken Little was hit on the head.
2. Chicken Little convinced Henny Penny to join her in her fear, which in turn left Henny Penny no longer searching for worms.
3. Cocky Locky no longer searched for seeds.
4. Goosey Poosey no longer searched for berries.
5. Foxy Woxy didn’t give a crap, he continued to sleek about for food.
6. And our good king, well he was about hunting too. Of course, he had no idea the sky was falling,
Do you see where I’m going with this? Probably not.
There’s been a lot of talk around the loops and blogs about the publishing world. Talk that, if I were to listen to, then blast it, I’d just throw my hands up in the air and stop writing all together. I’d pack up my laptop, toss all my how to books in the back of the closet and walk away.
Yes, things are happening that don’t look good. But with everyone freaking out and worrying, I think it’s beginning to spread a mass hysteria of gloom and doom. For some, they just may up and quit. But for others, I hope the vast majority of us, will keep tapping away on the keyboard.
Will you be Henny Penny? Or Cocky Locky? How about Goosey Poosey? I really wouldn’t want to be Foxy Woxy either since he is chased by the king’s hounds.
I know the favorite moral of the story is, don’t believe everything you’re told. I don’t think that is the case here, because things are happening. Layoffs are happening, printing is slowing down a bit. You all know the stories.
I think the moral here is, don’t be a Chicken.
I don’t like to use strong language, but in this case, for emphasis, I think it’s needed. If you’re guilty, quit bitching. If you’re biting your nails, why the hell aren’t typing. Get your ass in the chair and write your heart out.
Yes ma’am. LOL.
I’m writing!
Terri | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
Love it! I agree with you wholeheartedly. Things are happening, like you said, but panic never has made things better.
I’m writing. Definitely writing! :)
Maura | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
Oh, and let me add a quote. I read it yesterday, but I don’t remember where or I’d give credit. Here’s my paraphrase:
Writing isn’t about the road to publication; it’s about the journey to the soul.
Of course we all want to be published, but writers, real writers, will keep writing because we just can’t stop–falling acorns will just give us more to write about.
Maura | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
“don’t be a chicken”
Words to live by.
In these times, we can all second-guess ourselves ’til the cows come home (I’m liking the animal references today). But the truth is that nothing and nobody can get you where you want to be, except you. Nobody is going to come to you with a publishing contract. You have to go after it. And you can’t do that unless you write.
Granted, the road to publication may have changed. My advice (I know, no one asked, but whatever) is to stay open to new opportunities. The publishing world is changing, don’t let yourself be trapped by expectations.
The good thing is, there are always people along the way to help. For encouragement, critique, advice, etc.
You guys are always on the right track. Just keep writing.
(I feel like Dory from Finding Nemo)
J.K. Coi
Immortals to Die For
http://www.jkcoi.com
J.K. Coi | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
I’m sitting
I’m writing
I’m no chicken :)
Yay!
Cindy
Sindee | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
Terri,
With the future brightly ahead of you, I say write away.
Renee
Renee | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
Maura,
When it comes down to it, yes, writing is about the soul. We shouldn’t write to become published, but write because our souls demand it of us.
Glad you’re back from vacation. We missed you!
Renee
Renee | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
J.K.
Thank you for your words of wisdom. You’re right, we do need to be prepared for change. Although, I might drag my fit a little.;)
This Dory thing keeps popping up. Not to long ago, I was chanting ‘Just keep writing, just keep writing, just keep writing, writing’. Got to love Dory’s mantra, so plain and simple.
Renee
Renee | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
‘Whoot, Whoot’
Sindee is always writing. lol Your perserverance will get you to your goals, Sindee. I can’t wait until I can see your cover and hold your book in my hands.
Renee
Renee | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
Aww, you are so sweet Renee. I shall have to name one of my characters after you now too :)
Sindee
Sindee | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
I would be very honored, Sindee. I hope she kicks demon butt. ;)
Renee
Renee | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
I loved this post, particularly your breakdown of the characters. I agree with Maura, that as writers, it’s more a matter of telling the story, getting the words on the page and experiencing the journey than about getting published. (Although getting published would be nice!)
Besides, no matter how bad the economy, or the industry, we’ll never know if we’ll be amongst the lucky ones who DO get published even during hard times. Seriously, look at some of the literary greats that came out during the Great Depression. They didn’t stop writing just because times were tough – they used it.
Kelly | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
No, they didn’t stop writing. And they became literary greats because they wrote with their souls.
Sadly, I do hear a lot of ‘woe is me”. They recognize things were tough before, now they seem to be tougher. A lot of these ‘woe writers’ want to do nothing but complain. Even when you offer encouragement, they can’t see the positive. It’s like telling your neighbor not to worry about cutting the grass since it hasn’t rained in forever, and all she can say is, “Oh but when it does rain…” :)
Renee
Renee | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
Well, thank goodness I don’t have enough sense to quit! I agree it’s about the writing for the sake of writing. Publishing would be the icing on the cake, but cake, aka writing, is still good all by itself. Yum!
Sasha Allgood | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
Great blog, Renee! And really good timing for me. I’m not really worried about the publishing world. There have been a lot of changes over the years and it always survives. Besides, romances seem to do well in times of trouble – I guess people need that HEA.
No, the reason this blog is at a good time for me is that although I love to write, I let life derail me. And I don’t feel complete unless I do write.
My goal is to be published. But even if I never am, I won’t stop writing. To me, it’s an important part of who I am. I just need to prioritize to allow myself to and not be afraid of the results.
Lara Lee | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
I’m not worried about the industry, it will survive.
I, for one, prefer to be part of the journey than watch from the sidelines.
Great blog Renee.
Anastasia St. James | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
Sasha, I have to tell you, one morning I woke up, probably on the wrong side of the bed, and there were tons of emails in my box. I mean it was like message after message. Many were like Chicken Little, others were very encouraging. But there was that small part of my brain, the suspicious part that wondered if there was a conspiracy out there to keep the ‘new voices’ from submitting to the market.
All the doom and gloom and I thought, “Well, hell! I’ll just quit to make you all happy. Maybe then y’all will stop filling my inbox with depressive missives.” LOL Well, y’all know as much as I do, that even when there are times we can’t write, we’ve got to write. It’s a vital part of our sanity.
I for one, am glad you don’t have sense either, Sasha.;)
Renee
Renee | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
Lara, I’m glad to hear you will never stop writing, providing us many HEAs to delight in. You know, it’s hard to imagine that a little over two years ago, writing wasn’t a huge part of my life. Now, I don’t know how I survived without it.
Renee
Renee | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
Ana, the industry will survive because we love our books. A lot! And what a wonderful journey we all have a head of us.
Renee
Renee | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
If a little economic down turn could drive me away from my keyboard, I’d have thrown in the towel long ago. I don’t care if the sky really is falling, I’ll still tell my stories.
Alice Audrey | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
That’s what I’m saying, Alice!
Renee
Renee | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply