“Art is nothing but the expression of our
dream; the more we surrender to it the closer we get to the inner truth of
things, our dream-life, the true life that scorns questions and does not see
them.”
I decided to write a post about a time I didn’t surrender.
It’s for the release of Elana Johnson's
new book Surrender.
The problem is…
I’m not fiction.
I’m real.
What insurmountable odds
have I faced and overcome?
What dramatic showdown
occurred where I prevailed?
What antagonist did I
battle with…
You get the idea.
Most of us fight smaller fights.
I try not to compare myself with others.
Their successes are not my failures.
My successes are not their failures.
It’s best to focus on me.
I can dwell on what I haven’t
Accomplished.
Beat myself up.
But there is--
a house to handle,
children to cherish,
a husband to hug,
students to school,
family and friends.
So I keep moving forward--
Work,
School,
Writing.
I face my demons everyday.
I won’t give up.
For if I surrender,
I won’t succeed.
Surrender is available TODAY:
The thrilling and seductive sequel to Possession puts love on the line in a dystopian struggle for independent thought.
Forbidden love, intoxicating power, and the terror of control…
Raine has always
been a good girl. She lives by the rules in Freedom. After all, they are her
father’s rules: He’s the Director. It’s because of him that Raine is willing to
use her talent—a power so dangerous, no one else is allowed to know about it.
Not even her roommate, Vi.
All of that changes when Raine falls for Gunner. Raine’s got every reason in
the world to stay away from Gunn, but she just can’t. Especially when she
discovers his connection to Vi’s boyfriend, Zenn.
Raine has never known anyone as heavily brainwashed as Vi. Raine’s father
expects her to spy on Vi and report back to him. But Raine is beginning to
wonder what Vi knows that her father is so anxious to keep hidden, and what
might happen if she helps Vi remember it. She’s even starting to suspect Vi’s
secrets might involve Freedom’s newest prisoner, the rebel Jag Barque….
Get your copy today!
You expressed it so well, Theresa!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to Elana and her book.
Glynis, thank you. I wish Elana good luck too.
ReplyDeleteAmazing Theresa!! I have followed your blog for nearly 2 years now and I know you have it in you to face your demons many times over and triumph magnificently! You work so so so so so hard and write so beautifully and you always always come across with integrity. Demons beware!
ReplyDeleteAll the best to lovely Elana too! Take care
x
Old Kitty, thank you. It's harder for me to see the progress. "Demons beware!" That will be my new mantra!
ReplyDeleteTheresa what a creative way to post this. I loved it. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteNatalie, thank you. I look forward to your blogfest on the 11th.
DeleteVery true! We can only keep moving forward and doing the best we can.
ReplyDeleteAlex, when something doesn't work, I try it from different angles. Something has to give, right?
DeleteI love the Marc quote, Theresa.
ReplyDeleteSuze, thank you. Sometimes I find the quote I want right away. This one took some searching.
DeleteTheresa, you made me cry this morning. You have no idea how perfect this is for me, right now. Honestly, I'd be honored if you'd share it with WS4U! I think most would appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteSA Larsen, I hope I helped. Thanks. I can share it.
DeleteGreat poem! Just surviving life seems like a quest at times.
ReplyDeleteHeather, life does feel like a quest at times. I hit such an all-time low a year ago, so I'm glad to be in a better place now.
DeleteExcellent post! And all the best to Elaine, as well~
ReplyDeleteShelly, thank you. Much appreciated!
Deletebeautiful words! you are definitely a survivor!
ReplyDeleteTara, thank you. When I'm down because I'm not where I want to be, I realize how far I've come. We all need to remind ourselves.
DeleteTheresa - you also made me cry this morning! Today's post really resonated with me. You always fight the good fight and are such an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteKathleen, I'm moved that my post resonated with people. Thank you.
DeleteWhat a nice way to introduce Elana's book. Love it.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I will surrender to the muse! :)
LR, may your muse treat you well!
DeleteEvery story is important. Thanks for featuring Elana today, Theresa!
ReplyDeleteMatthew, thank you. Elana is awesome, so I'm happy to help her.
DeleteThis is beautiful! Thanks, Theresa! You are such a gem, and I'm lucky to know you even a little bit. :)
ReplyDeleteElana, thank you. That means a lot. I hope to meet you in person someday soon.
DeleteYou just have to hold on. If you don't surrender to whatever things will get better. Thanks for the visit.
ReplyDeleteFrancene, I love the way you said that. Thanks.
DeleteOooh I love that poem. I see Elana loves it too. That's a great tribute.
ReplyDeleteMichael, thank you. I've followed Elana for years. She's been inspiring and helpful, so I'm happy to return the favor.
DeleteBeautiful post!
ReplyDeleteJaye Robin Brown, thank you. I appreciate the comment.
DeleteWonderful poem!
ReplyDeleteThe Golden Eagle, thanks. Glad you liked it!
DeleteI love the line about other people's successes not being your failures - it's very true, though sometimes it's hard to see that.
ReplyDeletePatsy, it's easy to look at the surface of success and be jealous. I can't begrudge anyone.
DeleteYou wrote poetic, powerful, and stunning words, Theresa. Congrats to Elana!
ReplyDeleteM Pax, what a nice comment. Thank you.
DeleteGood things to remember.
ReplyDeleteLiz, thanks. I try to keep them in mind.
DeleteI love your contribution to Alana's Surrender release. Moving forward is all we can do, and when we stumble, remembering all the other blessings we have in life helps us to continue.
ReplyDeleteLynda, I've been successful in everything but my writing and teaching careers. It's easy for me to focus on that because it's such a huge part of who I am, but then I miss a lot that's good.
DeleteBecoming successful in writing takes a huge amount of time and patience. I gave up once and regret it. I hope you don't give up because you certainly have talent.
DeleteLynda, thank you. Your comment means a lot.
DeleteLovely writing, Theresa. And with your determination, I have no doubt you'll succeed in the writing and teaching at some future date. I'd say with all these comments, your blog is successful. Keep at it!
ReplyDeleteCarol, thank you. Through conferences, blogging, and Facebook, I have such a supportive writing community. That makes me feel successful.
DeleteA beautiful way of putting it. And I can't wait to read this book!
ReplyDeleteMeredith, thank you. I'm happy you want to read the book.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Theresa. A wonderful way to remember the best things in your life and encourage you to strive for even more. Never surrender!
ReplyDeleteMedeira, thank you very much!
DeleteIt would do us a lot of good if we'd remember just what you said, that other people's success is not our failure. Well done.
ReplyDeleteJL Campbell, writers can be supportive, but we can also be a jealous bunch. Right?
DeleteLove the piece, Theresa. Surrender is not a word for writers--unless it's the title of a book,that is. Congrats Elana!
ReplyDeleteNutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Nutschell, ha! I should've used your lie to tie my two threads together in the post.
DeleteI did see a few quotes about surrendering to the muse. I'm all for that too.
It's definitely hard not to compare ourselves to other people; I know that I struggle with it a lot. It's hard because there are some people I know who always make a point of comparing themselves to me; that is, they tell me what they've accomplished and then they'll make a point of asking me whether I've done as much as they have. I'm never able to come up with a good comeback for them.
ReplyDeleteNeurotic Workaholic, I know people who are like that too. Know in your heart they're speaking from insecurity.
DeleteAmazing post, Theresa!
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats to Elana. I loved Possession and I'm looking forward to this one.
Kelly, thanks. It will be interesting to read the story from the sister's POV.
DeleteLove the post... and huge congrats to Elana...
ReplyDeletetfwalsh, thank you!
DeleteGreat promo for Surrender! I just put the image and a link on my sidebar. Anything I can do to help the amazing people in Blogdom.
ReplyDeleteStephen, that's so nice of you. I'm know Elana appreciates it.
DeleteLOVE your post and poem, and congrats to Elana - so exciting!
ReplyDeleteSusanna, thank you. I'm excited for Elana too!
DeleteThanks for your inspiring post, Theresa. Congratulations, to Elana!
ReplyDeleteVictoria, thanks. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteVery good point. We won't lose if we don't quit. Congrats to Elana! :)
ReplyDeleteKaren, thank you. Elana works hard, so it's nice to see her with another book out.
DeleteI love the dose of inspiration in this post and poem. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Elana.
Medeia, thank you. We all need inspiration here and there.
DeleteAn inspirational post and poem, Theresa. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteBTW, congratulations, you've won the Kate Hewitt giveaway at Romance Reader.
Nas, thanks for letting me know! I didn't even know I'd entered.
DeleteI'm loving this blog tour/theme. I've been debating signing up for it...okay I have to now. Thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteSophia, it's a brilliant idea. I look forward to reading your post!
DeleteWow! What a bodacious poem. And yippee for Elana. I loved Possession so I KNOW that I KNOW I'll love Surrender! Yahhooiieee!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteRobyn, thank you. I hope you enjoy Surrender!
DeleteYour poetry rocks, Theresa! And your determination isn't too shabby, either. :-) Congratulations on all that you've accomplished.
ReplyDeleteCleemckenzie, thank you for the lovely comment!
DeleteWell said. I'm halfway through SURRENDER. Loving it.
ReplyDeleteLeslie, good to know. Thanks!
DeleteLOVELY post, Theresa. And so true. Thanks so much for sharing this. I'm going to print this out and re-read it often.
ReplyDeleteRuth, thank you so much. This means a lot to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that poem. Here I am, trying to think of some great event where I didn't surrender, and you've reminded me that just getting through life's daily struggles shows that we never surrender.
ReplyDeleteRachel, I'm glad it helped you. I mulled over what to write for over a month!
DeleteThat was expressed so beautifully. It is so true, all we can do is continue to move forward.
ReplyDeleteCiara, thank you very much.
DeleteIn the couple of years that I have known you, you have overcome so much and accomplished so much in the classroom and on the page. Honestly, from an outside perspective, you do keep moving forward.
ReplyDeleteMissed Periods, thank you. It's good to hear. I keep focusing on paycheck size and job hunting each summer, so it's harder to see.
DeleteGreat tribute to Elana's book Theresa. I struggle every day with remembering not to compare myself to others. Or panicking that there are soooo many other books out there...
ReplyDeleteDeniz, with the huge # of books being published daily, I can't help but wonder, will there be room for me too? We all struggle. Good to know we're not alone!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to Elana!
ReplyDeleteGreat words, Theresa, you'll get there, I'm sure of it:)
Brigid, thank you. I hope we both get there soon.
DeleteGreat intro to this review! I am here catching up on all the posts I missed during my computer woes, so good to be back.
ReplyDeleteLindyLouMac, thanks! Glad your computer woes are over. My moving craziness is settling down, so I should be blogging more soon.
DeleteThat's the only way to succeed - keep moving forward!
ReplyDeleteTalli, you're an excellent example of moving forward and not giving up!
DeleteTheresa - you work so hard I know it'll pay off one day soon!
ReplyDeleteJemi, you're so sweet. Thank you!
ReplyDelete