The Most Important Job in the World

Shannon Dittemore is the author of the Angel Eyes trilogy. She has an overactive imagination and a passion for truth. Her lifelong journey to combine the two is responsible for a stint at Portland Bible College, performances with local theater companies, and a love of all things literary. When she isn’t writing, she spends her days with her husband, Matt, imagining things unseen and chasing their two children around their home in Northern California. To connect with Shan, check out her website, FB, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest.

Oh my goodness, we're back in business! It's been so long since we've chatted!

I have a confession to make, friends. I've hurt myself. No idea how, but I've got something funky going on with the nerves in my right arm and I've lost feeling in a few fingers. I'm healing up okay, but it's slower than I'd like and I'm having to keep my writing sessions short and sweet. Bear with me, okay?

I came across a quote this week by one of my favorite writers, John Steinbeck, and I thought we could chat about it today. Also, that pic there (scroll down, homies)? That's my munchkin giving Mr. Steinbeck's bust a little HELLOOOO when we visited Monterrey a few years back. He was a fascinating guy, Steinbeck. Read his books, 'kay?

Things I LOVE about this quote:

• It rings true to me. Loud in my head and warm in my gut. It feels like the kind of thing writers should say to one another. You know, grab your crit partner by the shoulder, stare them in the eye and growl Steinbeck's words into their face (You should totally growl like Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice & Zombies. What a cool voice he has, amiright?) 
• Writing is difficult. It's a riot at times, but it can make you crazy. If we don't honestly believe that this thing we do is important, that words can change people, that they can change us, we'd never, ever put ourselves through the trouble. 
• Every day when we put our nose to the grindstone, we must convince ourselves that while there are horrid, desperate things going on in the world around us, this story we're telling deserves every bit of our attention for the duration of our writing session. If, on occasion, it's not the most important thing in the world, it will never, ever get done.  
• Thinking like Steinbeck, remembering the importance of your task, will get you through the rough days. The days where the story feels ridiculous and the time feels wasted and the doubters outnumber the believers. The value of storytellers cannot be understated. But no one will believe the truth of it if storytellers themselves aren't convinced. We are important. YOU are important. Stories are important. Steinbeck knew that.
• It reminds me that I have to take my job seriously. Yes, writing is fun. Yes, you should enjoy it. But you must also make every effort to hone your craft. Important jobs need dedicated people. People who stay hungry to learn and remain teachable even when success comes to call.

The ONE thing I kinda, sorta dislike about this awesome quote:

•  There's no room for error. If we have the most important job in the world, and we're to continually convince ourselves of that fact, every small mistake can become amplified in our eyes. And, I don't know about you, but I have a very hard time excelling if I have to write with the fear of failure hovering over me. Writing is the most important job in the world, but that doesn't mean we put together the most important words every time we write. We need to be clear about that fact. And we need to be okay with it.

Alrighty, friends! My arm's totally and completely done. So it's your turn to type. 

Tell me, what do you like about this quote? What do you dislike?