Tuesday, April 1, 2014

A to Z Challenge 2014: A is for Acknowlegement

This will be my third A to Z Challenge. I've been waiting for it all year! To prove it, while living in Oklahoma I asked a friend to make me a purse representative of this A to Z crazy thing I love. See! The A & Z are bookends and she sewed Writer, Editor, Blogger in red, blue and yellow. Love it!

Yes, April is here but it has arrived right in the middle of my busy life! Daughter and I are planning her wedding for August. My house is being totally renovated, and hubby and I are feeling somewhat overwhelmed and homeless since we often search for a place to spend the night to get out of dust and paint fumes. I lost my voice for three weeks--it's just now coming back. Still a little froggy.

How will I ever keep up with this Challenge? I never plan? I just write off the top of my head. With all I have going, this year will definitely be a challenge, but here goes:

Today is A for Acknowledgment. My A-word hit me this morning when I browsed a Mary Higgins Clark book called Daddy's Gone A Hunting. I bought it a couple weeks ago but haven't had time to read it yet. Opening to the acknowledgement, MHC writes: As always the journey can sometimes be smooth. Other days as I stare at the computer I ask myself, Whatever made you think you could write another book?

I had to read it again ... and again. Did Mary Higgins Clark just ask herself that frightening question we all ask? Obviously, she sat down and wrote ... she didn't wring her hands and moan and groan...and procrastinate!  That's what we have to do: just sit down and write.

My tip for the day is, always read the Acknowledgment page. There are wonderful little gems of encouragement tucked away there.

Happy A to Z Challenge 2014, everyone! Don't forget to check out the other several hundred bloggers! And good luck!

(Remember, I have to approve all comments.)

10 comments:

Deborah Dera said...

Sounds like you have a TON going on! I love the purse, and your ambition (one of my words today). Hope you're feeling better, organized, and secure in your home soon!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

That shows that in our hearts, we writers are really all the same.

Charles Gramlich said...

wow you are busy right now. How do you manage all that?

SK Anthony said...

I actually enjoy reading the acknowledgments, I know many skip it, but I like having an insight of the author's words when it isn't in story-form. My own acknowledgment is quirky and personal. I know those who I mentioned know it was straight from me and not a generic thanks. And I love knowing that even MHC has those self-doubt moments. Great post :)

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I think it is important to acknowledge those in our daily lives, too. To let them know they matter to us and make our lives better for being in them.

Great Launch Day post. Best of luck with the wedding madness!!

Whole Foods Living said...

Wow, you have a busy spring and summer ahead! But how wonderful to enjoy a family wedding and a remodeled house! Love! Thanks for visiting my writing blog. Following your blog now. :) ~ Angela, A to Z participant from Web Writing Advice (http://www.webwritingadvice.com/) and Whole Foods Living (http://wholefoodsliving.blogspot.com/)

Jessica Ferguson said...

Deborah - thanks!

Diane - glad you popped over. Yep, we writers have much in common.

Charles - Manage? Manage? :)

S.K.Anthony - Browsing bookstores, I often lose track of time just reading acknowledgments.

Roland, thanks for stopping in. I enjoyed your blog post.

Margo - just got back from visiting yours. Great tip!

Angela, thanks for the follow. I need to check out your whole foods blog. And will!

Mike said...

Hey! My A word is also Acknowledgement this year! Great post. You can check out mine at: http://praytogodtoday.blogspot.ca/2014/04/a-is-for.html

Great blog, and I look forward to the rest of the alphabet!

Shail Raghuvanshi said...

Hi Jess. Acknowledgement indeed is the word of the day whether in writing or in life. Great going. And thank you.

Lynn said...

Love your purse... just now catching up and read your challenges so far. Hope your mom is doing better. Sending hugs and love your way...