Attitude
I think of my mum, or a teacher, leaning forward, one hand raised, a finger pointing at my chest,
"I don't much like your attitude, young lady!" the stern voice says. Or, another day, a similar adult force in my life intoning sweetly, "If you keep a cheerful disposish, keep to the sunny side, tra lah lah, tra lah lah..."
Attitude, what is it? And how does it impact my life as an artist, a writer? What is the correct attitude for a writer to have? Today, I have an answer for you. It might be a different one tomorrow but today I believe that the correct attitude for a writer to have, or any artist in any medium, is one of fierce belief in the work. Be prepared to work hard but support that hard work with a positive but fierce attitude of protection to what is important. Not you, not the audience, or readers, or publishers, or gallery owners, or bums in seats, but to the work.
Friday Challenge - in keeping with the A to Zed challenge, the Friday Challenge is for you to plumb the depths of your own attitude or even that of your current protagonist. What is their attitude? What does the word mean? Take a look at the definitions below and do a free-fall with your own attitude or that of your current protagonist (if you are a writer). The free fall could start with this statement:
'Some people think I should change my attitude, as if it were a pair of smelly socks, but I...."
Here is what the Merriam-Webster Dictionary says:
ATTITUDE
1: the arrangement of the parts of a body or figure : posture
2: a position assumed for a specific purpose
3: a ballet position similar to the arabesque in which the raised leg is bent at the knee
4a : a mental position with regard to a fact or state
b : a feeling or emotion toward a fact or state
5: the position of an aircraft or spacecraft determined by the relationship between its axes and a reference datum (as the horizon or a particular star)
6: an organismic state of readiness to respond in a characteristic way to a stimulus (as an object, concept, or situation)
7a : a negative or hostile state of mind
b : a cool, cocky, defiant, or arrogant manner
What is your attitude toward your work, your creativity, your life?
My Mum
And in honour of my mum, who died 19 years ago today - a photo of her and my lovely goofy dad - this is possibly the only photo of him wearing a bow tie. Isn't she looking at him with a dear look? I've missed her every day for 19 years and now my dad for two months. Dang, love has a heavy price tag...
37 comments:
happy 500th post!
I am glad you wrote about attitude, as I had been faltering over WHO I was making art for..
forgot it was essentially for me,
with the odd etsy sale or nice comment as a side gift.
I got it mixed up.
Thanks Denise...this whole month, I'll be writing about the emotions, thinkings and behaviours to do with one's art. So...stay tuned.
Looking forward to your month of posts.
That is a fabulous and special picture of your parents.
Congrats on 500!
Thankyou for sharing the slice of your life..and your comments on Attitude are very insightful.
Thanks also for your visit to my blog, happy A2Z-ing :)
Yes! all we writers need some 'tude! Especially to keep going after those rejections. Nice pic of your mom! Thanx for stopping by!
Yep, it's all about attitude and most of the time mine is okay-fine. (I miss my parents too.)
500 posts? Wow. Congratulations.
Loved your attitude post - let's spread it around the writing blogosphere!
Ellie Garratt
I got excited here! I thought the title was 'ALTITUDE'...haha..love the pic of Nan and Mo
Oh, Jan--a sad anniversary--sending you hugs. And I think attitude for me is the 'I will do it no matter the obstacles'
Love that we picked the same word today!
So much to say! First, I love the picture of your parents. My condolences for your losses, both recent and longer-standing. They look like quite a pair -- people I would have loved to know.
My attitude toward my craft is simple: I view myself as a forever-student of creative writing, who should never stop pushing her own limitations.
Great start to the A-Z blogfest. Love the snappy buttons on your sidebar blogfest banner!
Great post, revealing the essence of the spirit. Nice parent pic; They are cute together~ Very endearing!
Congratulations on 500! When I worked in HR, we never let a supervisor counsel an employee with the term "poor attitude." We required that they counsel the actions that demonstrated a poor attitude (coming in late, not completing assignments on time, disregarding a supervisor's request.) That struck me today. What am I doing to demonstrate a good writing attitude? I'm going to ponder that. Good luck with A-Z.
And now that i read your Merriam Webster definitions, #5 is pertaining to 'Altitude', not 'attitude'...funny
500 posts...wow. Congrats, Jan! I'm looking forward to reading all your posts this month and today I'll focus on my attitude; although it will be more nose-to-the-grindstone instead of sitting tall.
Great A word! I try to treat my writing with a very professional attitude... I hope I succeed.
Lovely photo of your parents!
Congratulations on your 500th post. That is a bit of a tongue twister.
Your parents are a lovely couple. Their love radiates through the photo.
Aren't your parents beautiful people. No wonder you came out looking so sharp :)
Great post. I've been trying to delve into my characters' attitudes for a little while now and hone them some. Thanks for the challenge. It'll give me more focus this weekend.
Congrats on your 500th post!
Rosie
East for Green Eyes
What a lovely photo of your mum and dad. I'm sure your mum would be very honoured. :)
And thanks for the post about attitude. My writer attitude is always telling me to get on with it!
You have a lovely looking mum! I think you're right, you need to have a good attitude. Especially as a writer.
Attitude is all we can control. Congratulations on 500 posts!
Attitude - yesterday I got a query back in my face - one that really mattered to me, and I allowed myself to feel sad and blue for the rest of the day. But today is a new day, and I started a new project. The goal: to write an even better book.
Thank you for sharing the lovely photo of your parents. I still have my mother, and I owe my parents so much!
My attitude is if you're going to do it, go all out! :)
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Happy 500th!
My attitude is to always give 110% or else you're just wasting your (and sometimes others') time. So give it all you've got!
Many blessings in the memory of your mommy and daddy. :)
sorry for the loss of your parents. Time takes the bite away but you will always feel the nips.
Congrats on the 500th post.
Your post is very sweet. Love does come with a heavy price tag.
But at the risk of sounding like a complete cliche, it's better to love and lose than not to love at all.
:-)
500 posts ... now that's something to celebrate. Go do something crazy. Just don't get caught!
I write because I love it. That's my attitude. Most of the time, anyway.
Happy 500 Postiversary!! And what a great 'A' word! I sometimes think that if everyone had a positive attitude, the world would be a much nicer place.
Congratulations on the 500th post! And comfort to you in your sad moments, remembering loss. How our attitudes can change from one moment to the next. Thanks for the post. Happy A Day!
A feeling or emotion towards a fact or state... I like that. I try to have a good attitude, some days it works, others... I have to work harder.
A lovely tribute to your mother.;-)
Congrats on the 500th post. Great post to start the challenge off with. Attitude is the one thing everyone has and the one thing that can be changed. Love the post.
Happy 500th! I'll be sticking around for a few more
I love the picture of your parents! Great post on attitude. I try to have a good one but somedays its just hard!
Happy 500th!
Attitude is important! Thanks for the great post and for stopping by earlier.
(((HUGS))) for your mom. Great photo!
A wonderful start to the challenge, I did enjoy your post and congrats on your 500th.
Yvonne.
Hey there! Thanks for visiting Writers' Ally and following. I've got your back. hah... Wonderful post. I'm big on attitude and inspirational posts. Heck, with four humanoids to raise I have to adopt a positive attitude. lol
When I saw the title to your post, I just had to come read it. I agree with your understanding of what attitude is. You see my blog is mostly about that, ATTITUDE. Of course with a slant. ;)
Post a Comment