Molly C. Cook's Blog

This is a glance at what you can expect to find in my new book, Earth's Songs of Meditation.

Just as a river flows through twists and turns along its journey, we too face obstacles that slow us down or leave us wondering which way we should turn. If you take the time to observe a river, you will notice that it is ever changing. Never once will it ever be the same in any given moment, and it is in that way that it is like life.

The river moves forward no matter what obstacles it finds in its way. It has a natural force that pushes it to move on. If we can apply that rhythm of forward momentum to our own life, learning from the river how to move forward in times of change, the damns that we encounter may slow us down, but they will not be able to stop our progress and our will to push through.

So whether you are like a calm peaceful stream or a raging river, remember that you are connected to this Earth. By simply taking a moment to observe the nature around you, you can begin to understand the nature within you.

Starting a new book can be such an exciting time. I love coming up with my next big idea and then breaking it down into sections and then the chapters within those sections.
To have that creative control is exhilarating and liberating. When else in life can you take the reigns and have such control, or lack there of and still have it all come together so perfectly? Oh, the life of an artist, in any form, is a blessing. A gifted outlet that few understand, yet so many are drawn to.
From the first word to the closing phrase, the work we put into our writing is worth every moment, and is validated when we hold that finished copy in our hands.
So whether you are preparing for your first book, or you are beginning your next, embrace the process of getting it all together.

So many times I've been told that I had to write this way or that way. That I shouldn't expect to make it in the writing world because very few do. That I need to parallel what successful writers are doing, so I have a chance. You know how I respond to those people? I don't. I smile and respect that that is their opinion, to have and to own.
I truly believe that if you allow other people's opinions to alter your creativity, then it alters your success as well. Who is to say whether an individual is successful or not? Is success not based on one's perspective of feeling a sense of accomplishment? Your work doesn't have to be a bestseller or an award winner to be considered a success, as long as you feel it is.
I would like to think that if a writer's words touch just one person, even if that one person is thyself, then those words in their own right are a success. I guess what I am ultimately trying to say is, "Write with all of your heart. Invest within yourself the imagination, creativity and free will that make your creations unique, for you hold your own successes within the depth of your being, and with it your choice to share it with the world."
Write whatever it is that fuels your passion and it will be recognized as greatness.

I know it is going to sound silly, but when my computer took its last breath a couple weeks ago, I felt like I lost another friend. That piece of equipment went with me into clients homes, and kept me company through the heaviness of hospice cares and kept all of my thoughts and ideas safe for me, all tucked into nice little files. As I sat next to my friends who were in their final stages of life and preparing to leave this world, I poured my emotions onto the keys of that computer. Hours of time spent in between cares, medication passes and the very little conversation my friends were able to withstand, that computer was there to witness it all.
Needless to say I shed a few tears when the computer guy said, " Nope She's a goner, but I can save all of your files for you." Right then and there I knew that it truly wasn't the resumes, the unfinished books or even my pictures that I had stored on that computer that I was so upset about losing, It was the memories of all the people that were attached to it. You see, with technology you can save files almost in an instant, but the precious time we spend creating those files can never be recovered. So take each day one at a time and be thankful that you have it in your grasp, for tomorrow it will be gone, replaced by a new moment to embrace. And if you do it right, you will never have to worry about not being able to recover that precious time, because it will live inside of you, always..........

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present. My favorite quote by Alice Morse Earle.
So many of us dwell on the past or worry about the future, that we forget that the day we are gifted with today even exists. Perhaps that is why time seems to "fly" by so quickly? Our past should enlighten us and bring wisdom to us in the now, to be shared with others in the future. All of life's events, whether good or bad carry lessons which can lead to positive outcomes. Yet often is the case, that those bad times are not given the proper time or examination to allow the lessons in which they carry, to teach us of their true meaning. Instead they are misinterpreted and linger like a disease, or they are taken and applied (out of fear) to our future as an omen of what is to come. Sadness, anger, anxiety and misunderstandings become heavy clouds that follow some us even through the brightest of days. It is this,the unfortunate storm, that holds many back from receiving, excepting, or truly appreciating the GIFT of life we are given everyday.
I say,"Break away from the past that holds you down or creates false insecurities of the future. You control your destiny and it begins by believing in yourself. Let the sun shine through any dark clouds that follow you and you will soon see how beautiful this life can be. Embracing your "present" will surly help you recognize your GIFT." With that said, This Mommy is going to go meditate.

I have seen this question asked so many times, " How do you get past writer's block?". When you are beginning a new book, you have ideas running through your mind so fast that you can hardly keep up with them. As time progresses those ideas are laid out on paper, and the excitement turns into dedication to finish a great idea. Our dedication is laced with stress to please others with our work of art, and sometimes even deadlines. To escape the grip of writer's block, you simply need to step back, shed the expectations and find the excitement again. Believe in your work and your abilities. Adopt an attitude that says,"I have what it takes to accomplish something great." and believe it. Forget about deadlines, there are always extensions, and forge forward with the enthusiasm you had when starting your project. Writer's block? No how, no way! You've got this!

I have been trying to write a fairy tail for years. It never failed in the past that some disaster would lead to me losing my work. Lightning, computer viruses, vengeful ex, I always took it as a sign that it was just not the right story line.
So, needless to say, I am thrilled that I stuck to my goals. I had a daily pep talk with myself and ended it with the affirmation, I KNOW I CAN! I used paper and pen this time, and I am limiting myself to two chapters a day. The newest change, I am reading it to my 8 year old daughter chapter, by chapter. Doing this has made me push myself outside of the box, to create that sense of wonderment for her. Four chapters in, and she is begging me to read more. Believing in yourself can create a real life fairy tale; and for that, I am thankful.

Sorry everyone! I realized my mistake too late and had already posted my thoughts, when I realized I referred to Mr. Baum as Frank L., instead of by his real name L. Frank Baum. From what I read, He never liked his first name, and would have naturally preferred Frank as his first name, hence why he used Frank instead of his real first name to begin with. So, Maybe it's some weird sign that I mixed up his initials. Maybe our delightful historian of Oz has found a way to spark this author to renew the stories of that magical fairyland? Hmmm, the possibilities are endless. Once again, hats of Mr. Baum. Are you ready for your return? To be continued........

I have been ever so slowly reading the entire Frank L. Baum collection. The Wizard of Oz being his most popular story(due to the movie) if you are not familiar with his work. A lot of things have changed since 1901. Many of Mr. Baum's references are not P.C. for many, but there is something to be said for the complexity of what, and how the English language was used,well over a hundred years ago.
I really love how he always wrote a letter to his readers in the beginning, accrediting his fans for their interests, in which spurred him to "correspond" with the Oz characters, so he could then write about another one of their adventures.
This collection has made me feel like a little kid again. I catch myself wondering what magical mysteries lie behind closed doors; And I guess that is what separates a good writer, from a really GREAT writer. The ability to arrange words so that they may soak into another's mind, and circulate deep feelings throughout their body and soul, so much so, that they change their perception of life as they know it.
Mr. Frank L. Baum, you are truly great!