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Perfect.

I know that everyone's answer for "How do I get better at _______?" Is to continue to practice said art or action. But how in the world does anyone work through all the frustration? The crushing sense of "I'll never be good at this." I have tried to write, to draw, to sing, to compose. The only dream I dream is to create something beautiful. But I just can't.

Let me put this as simply as possible:

If you heard a beautiful melody played on a violin, and you went “I want to do that. I want to make beautiful music on a violin,” you would not be surprised if, the first time you picked up a violin, you found yourself making noises that sounded like a cat was in pain. 

So you’d learn the violin. Learn the strings, the fingering, how to bow. You’d be proud at the point where you could play “Twinkle twinkle little star” on it. If you stopped there and said “I’ll never be good at this…” well, you’d be right. But you’d be right because you stopped, not because it is impossible to play the violin well.

And if you learned violin and got better and practiced, one day you’d be able to play beautiful music on the violin. You might never be a world-class violinist, but you’d be competent.

You are always allowed to decide it’s too hard or frustrating to carry on with anything. But, mostly, you don’t get to be magically good at something, whether that something is art, medicine, law, ballet, cartography or martial arts. The writing fairy, the painting fairy, the composing fairy, will not descend in the night if you decide that’s what you do, touch their glittering wands to your forehead, and allow you to wake in the morning with all the talents, skills, knowledge and experience you need to be really good.

That’s why everyone’s answer is to practice, to do it, to learn. It’s because the short-cuts are mostly blind alleys. It’s because it’s work. It’s because there really are skills to learn, and you should learn them if you want to be good, whatever it is you hope to do.

Good luck.

[emmiedark]

How stable of a career would you say being an author is?

Try balancing a soft-boiled egg on its tip. Don’t use sand or salt, don’t crack the egg. Just balance it, and then take your finger away.

That stable.

[emmiedark]

New book! I have a new book out! It's spicy hot and whimsically fun. Plz enjoy. :) 

http://www.amazon.com/Charmed-Destiny-Romance-Emmie-Dark-ebook/dp/B00GXNSSXY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1385681883&sr=1-1

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Gah...

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[emmiedark]

Today’s act of kindness? Put Some Patience in the Mix.

It’s easy to get caught up with the hustle and bustle of the holidays and forget to be patient. Patience is a form of kindness and, like all other forms of kindness, it’s contagious.

So the next time you’re waiting in line or someone snaps at you, respond with a smile. You never know how much a small act of kindness can change someone’s day or how much your kindness may inspire others. A kinder world does begin with you.

Check out our blog for a few other ideas on how to add patience to your holiday mix. And please accept this virtual hug from us! You are amazing.

P.S. Don’t forget to let us know how you’re celebrating our 12 Acts of Kindness. Tag us on Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. 

P.S.S. Amazing artwork courtesy of Skidaddle-o3o.

[emmiedark]

I want more Sleepy Hollow on my dash. Tell me who to follow. 

[emmiedark]

Still reconciling today’s language and its advancements.

[emmiedark]

Try out the first chapter of my new book, free on Wattpad! 

[emmiedark]

My new book. It's pretty cool. You can buy it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FLBVJSA/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_vnLusb0PNPMG1

[emmiedark]

This is a set of chocolates made to look (and somewhat act) like a set of paints. Alas, this limited-edition set is only available in Japan, and it’ll run you 4,200 yen (around $43 US).

That’s probably for the best, though, because I would refuse to ever actually eat something that perfect.

[emmiedark]

We hope you’ll consider this simple truth this weekend.

You don’t need a special day to be kind. Every day is the perfect day to perform a random act of kindness.

Now get out there and do some good! And have an amazing weekend.

[emmiedark]

"A writer is a writer not because she writes well and easily, because she has amazing talent, or because everything she does is golden. A writer is a writer because, even when there is no hope, even when nothing you do shows any sign of promise, you keep writing anyway."

— Junot Diaz, Professor of Writing,

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, 2008

[emmiedark]

Hey Guys!  

Voting for Misha Collins and Random Acts in The BiLLe Celeb Charity Challenge is OPEN!

why would you do this?

Well 3 reasons:

1. If you vote for Misha, his charity Random Acts can win $32,000! Which will help them to fund random acts of kindness all over the world! Last year the money went towards some amazing acts that helped a ton of people.

2. Look at those faces! Don’t you want to make Misha and Cinde incredibly happy again?

3. Just by voting, you get entered for a chance to meet Misha and present him that giant check. (and you would see point 2 happen for real, in the flesh.)

YOU CAN VOTE ONCE EVERYDAY! SO GO FORTH AND VOTE AND SPREAD THE WORD!

x

[emmiedark]

I do tsundoku way, way too often. The ones in the pile never look as appetising as the new bright and shiny... 

[emmiedark]

ataraxie-:

Tilda Swinton

by Karl Lagerfeld

for Vogue US 1993

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