No – not this Michelangelo

Nunchucks are not my thing – not yet, anyway.

Hmm…now, there’s a word that brings a picture to mind:

Nun-Chucks Snowball 

Although, there have been times in the past where I have been compared to a turtle doing turtlely things – like pulling my head inside my shell and hiding from the world.

No, the Michelangelo I’m talking about is the artist who painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. In an old film, THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY, centered around this humongatoid task, the Pope keeps checking up on the artist’s progress. “When will it be finished?” he asks.

Michelangelo’s response: “When I am done!”

Now, I am by no means comparing myself to Michelangelo. I am not an artist, at least not the architect, painter, or sculptor kind. I am a writer – a word crafter – albeit perhaps an apprentice, but a writer nonetheless. And since setting out to write a middle grade novel a few years ago, I have come to learn just what a novice I am. The path to mastery can be a very long and disheartening one – voice, character, plot – getting them all just right. I can almost understand why Michelangelo smashed his PIETA to pieces.

Oftentimes, I have battled with myself over whether or not to simply give up, but thankfully, that’s when my muse rears her bugly [ugly, yet beautiful] head and reminds me how much fun I am having too. Balancing everyday life and answering the call of one’s passion can be a juggling act for sure.

And then there’s the peanut gallery to contend with – one of whom does not understand the process – one of whom thinks I am procrastinating, being a perfectionist – one of whom shall remain nameless. You know who you are! You may not be the Pope, RPW, but you are the one always asking me, “When will it be finished?”

And to you, I say, “WHEN I AM DONE!”

[Which, by the way, will be very, very, very soon…]

– AND OFF I GO –

Thank you, everyone, for joining me on my adventure today – and thank you RPW, for your love and support in all my endeavors!