Have you noticed that insecurities seem to delight in wreaking havoc with the creative process? Well, Alex J. Cavanaugh did something about this problem; he founded
an Insecure Writer’s Support Group. We’re posting monthly, exposing our
vulnerabilities and/or offering support to one another. Please check out
Alex’s blog to visit others’ posts. It’s a group of kind-hearted
bloggers/writers, authors and all-around great folks. Join us, if you haven't already! All that's required is an insecurity or two hundred.
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With a frozen stare, Robyn
says out loud and robotically: Keep
breathing. Keep breathing. Then, she
looks up. Oops, camera’s on. Hi,
folks! You won’t believe this! I’m so nervous, I can barely breathe. She’s like CEO of the universe, and she’s actually
HERE now in our studio! Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s give a warm welcome to
today’s guest, Oprah Winfrey!
Oprah walks across the
stage with a big smile.
Oprah: Hello,
everybody!
Robyn and Oprah shake
hands and sit facing each other on Life by Chocolate’s stage.
Robyn: Oprah,
I just, wow, I can’t believe you’re here. I mean, I sent you that letter twelve
years ago and you responded last week, I’m so honored. You’re probably pretty
busy too. Leaning towards her, Robyn
whispers: I hope you’re okay with
the pay. It’s not good.
Oprah: Yeah I’m
fine in that area. She glances at her
watch. I do have a minute, dear, but I’m
afraid that’s it. Go ahead now, it’s your show.
Robyn: Oh, um,
I wasn’t ready for this. It’s like, geeze. I’ve worshipped you since I first saw you on your show. You’re
superhuman — way, way up there, like with Mother Teresa and Google. And you’ve
co-authored five books, and you’re a wonderful actress, hosted the world's most popular talk-show, and you're so generous with
your time and money and, oh, sorry about the OWN ratings. If it’s any consolation,
you’re too smart for the world, Oprah. People are getting stupider. I mean, they'd rather watch Snooki. She’s
SO annoying, oh my God. And she’s bringing a baby into this world. Lord help us
all!
Oprah: Mm, mm,
mm mm. She looks at her watch. Well, I do need to leave now. Before I go, though, you seem to have
bundle of insecurities.
Robyn: Oh I do,
Oprah. Thanks for noticing. Robyn
smiles proudly. This whole writing thing, and writing in first-person, and what the *bleep*
—sorry— I mean, what was I thinking? I’m one big *bleep*n —sorry again—rancid
glob of insecurities. You know?
Oprah nods. Mm, mm, mm mm.
Oprah: Well
sweetie, I’ll leave you and your viewers with this: You, and only YOU —she points directly at the camera— know the passions of your heart. Follow
them. FOLLOW THEM. Be true to your life’s passions, and keep faith in your
inner voice. That’s what this journey is all about.
Robyn: Thank
you so much Oprah! You are truly inspiring.
Oprah bounces up and departs
with a wave. Gayle’s waiting by the exit. They exchange a hug, then take off in
a limousine bound for Yosemite.
____________________________________
P.S. To everyone who
finished the A-Z challenge, congratulations! Every post I read was top-notch.
You did great, and I know it wasn’t easy.
P.P.S. To everyone, keep following
your passions. Happy May!
Great post. I have to admit this does ring true in my ears. I will have to remember it when the insecurities show their ugly head :)
ReplyDeleteThis was a good visit! I'm sad that she didn't give away cars or timeshares, though.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice from "Oprah". The A to Z Challenge was a hoot!
ReplyDeleteThis really does sound like Oprah! Another clever IWSG post! You really do know how to make insecurity fun! Julie
ReplyDeleteOprah wrote 5 books? Where have I been?
ReplyDeleteGail should have been there. She'd have told Oprah to let you get your question in.
No matter how long it took.
She's an actress and an author too? Is there no end to her talents? I'll always remember her for asking Michael Jackson whether he was a virgin. Actually, that's the only thing I'll remember her for.
ReplyDeleteEven when hard pressed for time, she didn't forget her USP...make others feel good about themselves. She was in India recently and seemed overwhelmed(rather agitated) when a Mumbai cop didn't recognise her.
ReplyDeleteI love this post so much Robyn haha, it sounds like Oprah really was sitting there with you, maybe she was in fact haha!
ReplyDeletegreat post! great advice from opra.
ReplyDelete(this does really sound like opra!)
yet another brilliant post, my friend!
xoxo
"Up there with Google" - funny! hey, at least she finally made an appearance.
ReplyDeleteWell, Oprah’s words of wisdom oughta do it – you’ll have that book written within a week. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhy does all this self-help guru stuff sound so great but never takes hold? At least, for me. I prefer this simple statement: “If the desire to write is not accompanied by actual writing, then the desire is not to write.” ~ Hugh Prather
You have the desire, you are writing – you will succeed.
KD, thank you. We all need to remember this.
ReplyDeleteShock, that's right. Good point. I forgot about those freebies. I guess she's being a bit more prudent these days.
ADSL, congrats to you!
Empty, thank you. I hope so.
Ruth, fuller story: she co-authored 5 books. I don't doubt her intellect or writing abilities, but who knows how much of the writing she actually did. (?) Still, she's awe-inspiring. Yeah, Gayle's a hoot.
GB, that one show got the highest all-time ratings, I think. At least it was way up there. Gosh, I don't remember if I watched it.
Rek, that's a funny story. A bit disillusioning too. Good dose of reality for her.
YW, thank you. You always ease my writer's insecurities!
Betty, I appreciate it, friend.
Alex, wait a minute, does she own Google?
Thanks, all.
xoRobyn
haha sounds like an exciting minute for you. Being combined with the likes of Google, not sure that is much of a compliment..lol
ReplyDeleteOprah and Robyn. Thanks for sharing this with the world. It will be a far better place!!!
ReplyDeleteBless you both, and really, keep that advice coming!
Another great IWSG post, Robyn.
ReplyDeleteI like Oprah but my wife is a huge fan. While I appreciate all the good she's done, I laugh when she tries to pull off her poor lil girl from Mississippi routine. She's a billionaire for goodness sakes. I even heard Stedman call her out on this once.
ReplyDeleteHaha, you almost got me fall off my chair when I saw the title. But I'm sure that's what she'd say if she was really there. Keep your passion!
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting from the IWSG! Hello! *waves*
ReplyDeleteCreative post! Thanks for sharing this and making me smile.
LOL, great post, I love how Oprah points out that you radiate insecurity. Love her last statement.
ReplyDelete-MJ visiting from the support group http://creativelyspiltink.blogspot.com/
I probably shouldn't say this out loud, especially being from Chicago area buuut...I don't care for Oprah. There, I said it.
ReplyDeleteYou know what's a great inspirational song that reminds me of your theme here? "Unwritten" performed by Natasha Bettingfield. I highly recommend it when you get the writing doubts.
I haven't watched Oprah in years but that rang true to me!
ReplyDeleteNow that was a riveting interview! You are so funny Robyn... You did everything but stutter!
ReplyDeletePat, thanks. That's true.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, blessings back to you.
Annalisa, I appreciate it. Will drop by asap.
Stephen, it worked for the first 5 or 10 years. I didn't know she's still playing that card. In that case, I wholeheartedly agree. Give us a break.
Sarah, keep you passion too. Thanks, friend.
Great to meet you Jackie, thanks.
MJ, you too. I'm so appreciative of the new connections.
Nicki, I admire a woman (you) who counters the majority view. Oprah's oozing both insecurity and hubris these days - not her most flattering look.
Beth, I'm glad. You does inspire, if not all the time. At least she did here. =)
Pat, thank you. I never noticed her stuttering, but she's human so she must.
xoRobyn
Hello
ReplyDeleteLife by Chocolate: Robyn Alana Engel's Blog
Amazing blog post as always! I am very glad to see your post, I located what I was in search of here
Thank you!
You always make me smile. :)
ReplyDeleteFun post, love Oprah too!
ReplyDeleteJust an fyi: if you're not following her on twitter already, heard her on Letterman or Leno (can't remember which one) that she really does tweet her own tweets.
it's @Oprah
Haha what a great minute!
ReplyDeleteOprah=Mother Teresa and Google?
ReplyDeleteYou have just made my day. :)
The world according to Oprah.. what will we do without her? And how will we do it? God only knows... and he's not telling...only telling Oprah, as she has her own spot by God's Throne... and has to calm him when ever he tries to jump up on the Throne cruise style, whenever he sees a Hot angel... ala Robyn... hehe ;)
ReplyDeleteI sense an opening Robyn! The life by Chocolate TV Show!
Great GOOGLELY Mooogly!!!!! Oprah done showed up!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Gal!
J
modernbedrm, thanks so much for dropping by.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, I'm so glad, as that's my goal.
Marla, thanks for the tip. I'll look her up on twitter. Thanks for dropping by too! I appreciate it.
Crack, I'm glad you like it.
Dawn, thank you. Afterward, I thought I should've gone with Facebook, but Google's even bigger.
Anthony, you're sweet and wise. Hilarious too. Thank you!
John, I know, unbelievable, huh? Especially given the abysmal pay.
xoRobyn
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