In my first blog I told you of my commitment to tell my Father’s story and the announcement to family, friends and everyone else who would listen that I was writing a Book.  It’s now eighteen months later.  I’ve been very busy, but the book is not yet written.  Why?   I certainly know how to translate ideas in my mind into words on a page, and I had all the necessary tools:  pen, paper, even a brand new laptop computer.  So what happened?

It was time to take a look at my “very busy” schedule and analyze the situation.  What was keeping my goal from being realized?  What was holding me back? First, I found that I had been caught in several traps set by long-held beliefs and deeply embedded habits:

GUILT that I was taking time to do what I wanted to do.

DOUBT that I could really do justice to the project

PRIDE – would I be able to handle criticism and/or rejection?

FEAR of failure, or was it of success?

TIME MANAGEMENT– organizing a schedule that would fit in everything that needed to be done

RESOURCE ALLOCATION – acquiring and utilizing funds and materials for optimal outcome

And the BIG one – PROCRASTINATION

Sounds like the seven deadly sins, doesn’t it?  Although not consciously doing so, I was letting these “traps” hold me back.  Yes, I had been “very busy”, but for all of my activity, I was not focused on the primary objective.

In the Random House Dictionary of the English Language, a TANGENT is described as “something that touches at a single point”, is “slightly connected” and “digresses from a course of action.”    After analysis, I realized that although I had been doing things related to the Book, I was not writing the Book.  So what was I doing all that time?

READING BOOKS and ATTENDING CLASSES, CONFERENCES and WEBINARS to learn everything there is to know about writing and publishing a book and to mix, mingle and otherwise consort with other writers;

INCORPORATING a BUSINESS to manage the perils of publishing, seeking legal counsel, establishing a bank account and credit card, setting up an office in our basement (including installation of an egress window so the space would qualify) and stocking it with all the necessary supplies and equipment; collecting receipts and filing an income tax return (although I did not yet have any income).  I understand I have three years to show some revenue, otherwise it’s considered a hobby not a business.

           Hiring a graphic artist to design a LOGO and then going through all the necessary steps to have is copyrighted;

          Commissioning a SONG, composing the lyrics and having it recorded as a gift for family;

           Establishing the WEBSITE:  STEPHEN F. SLADOWSKI.NET so people could get information about my Father’s life when they Googled his name;

          Sending out QUERY LETTERS to Publishers and Agents regarding my manuscript (not yet written);

 Personalizing MERCHANDISE to promote the book:  caps, pens, note paper, ornaments, fliers and even postage stamps;

RESEARCH -going through all of the articles and albums that had been “buried” in my basement; visiting places and interviewing people relevant to the story;

SCANNING all the documents and photos found in my “Buried Treasure;”

JE T’AIME INITIATIVE – remembering all those who have lost their lives through violence and initiating the BLOG “Lives Cut Short”

Looking into what it would take to establish the STEPHEN F. SLADOWSKI FOUNDATION to preserve my Father’s legacy and continue his influence and good work in perpetuity (I found I was a loooooooooong way from doing that.)

I want to accomplish all of the above, but those steps are not necessary to the original objective of writing the Book.  Every class I took, every author I spoke with gave me this one piece of advice:  JUST WRITE!

In the same dictionary sited above, a LESSON is described as “a useful piece of practical wisdom acquired through experience or study”.  So what lessons have I learned through this exercise?  There are several:

I am the unique product of the many choices I have made over my lifetime.  Each choice had its consequences—positive or negative—which can be viewed as a “prize” or a “punishment” for my action or decision.  Even if something happens outside my control, I can make a choice as to how I will respond.  What is past cannot be undone.  Going forward, whatever is to be is up to me.

It is never too late to become what you were meant to be. -George Elliot

There are no easy answers, short cuts or magic potions.  If you want to achieve something significant, you must dedicate the time and energy to get it done.

Do not seek perfection in all you do, but the wisdom not to repeat mistakes.

The Process is as important as the Product—enjoy, don’t rush it.

The only way to become something is to start doing it.

Excellence is borne not of any particular innate ability, but of practice.

Being a writer requires desire, passion, motivation and discipline, especially discipline.

“So,” you may well ask, “isn’t writing this blog just another divergent?”  Perhaps it can be viewed that way, but another lesson I learned is that

Our Calling is not complete until we share it with others.

Thank you for your interest in sharing this journey with me.  The discipline of keeping you informed of my progress with the project will keep me on track and accountable.  Now I have to JUST WRITE!