祝賀 (Congratulations) to our Kiki Lon, whose debut novel, ENTER THE PARROT, is about to be released through The Wild Rose Press! We’re mirroring the book’s kungfu theme on the blog this week.
As my blog posts invariably turn into a confessional of sorts, it seems only fitting to admit that, until twenty-four hours ago, I knew nothing about martial arts. Enter…Google.
Google is my master and this is what it has taught me about kungfu. First of all, the original meaning of the word “kungfu” refers not to martial arts but to acquiring skills in any given pursuit. It isn’t all about flying fists, acrobatic leaps and waxing cars. Kungfu combines spiritual, mental and physical strength in order to achieve greatness, and you can carry kungfu wisdom into everyday life.
For example, let’s say you’re a writer. You have a deadline looming in one week, you’re cursing yourself for not being more organised, you’re desperately ill with a cold, your manuscript is a mess, and the best thing for everyone’s sake is to throw the book overboard. You might be tempted to give your computer a good karate chop and maybe even cry. But in kungfu, if faced with a seemingly impossible task, you would centre yourself, breathe, focus, and have faith that you can accomplish your goal. As Bruce Lee once said, “The mind is like a fertile garden. It will grow anything you wish to plant – beautiful flowers or weeds. Do not allow negative thoughts to enter your mind for they are the weeds that strangle confidence.”
What writing crises have you been through lately, and did you handle them with kungfu grace?

I'm suffering from a nasty cold right now, but rest assured I don't have swine flu
Wax On. Wax Off.
That is my level of knowledge…..
By: Nicky on June 18, 2009
at 11:10 pm
Knowing how to wax on and wax off is very useful, though, Nicky. So many applications. 😉
By: Vanessa Barneveld on June 19, 2009
at 6:58 am
I just wish I was flexible like those kung fu actresses are, and they all have great legs. Maybe I should get into it.
By: Natalie Hatch on June 19, 2009
at 10:37 am
That’s right, Nat. I mean, look at Uma Thurman and Lucy Liu. Kungfu obviously agrees with them.
By: Vanessa Barneveld on June 19, 2009
at 10:41 am
I try to have good kung fu in writing. Usually, it doesn’t work out that way…
But one of the most important things I learned rfom kung fu is that doing a little every day gets you further than doing it once in large batches.
It’s the same whether you write, practice kung fu or brush your teeth. Do it every day to get results. You can’t make up for missed days. At least not in the long run.
By: Kiki on June 19, 2009
at 12:05 pm
Happy release day, Kiki! Too true – every little bit of work on your manuscript adds up.
By: Vanessa Barneveld on June 19, 2009
at 3:49 pm
I enjoyed this article thanks for contributing 🙂 Cheers! Good job!
By: Mike on June 21, 2009
at 11:57 am
Thanks, Mike. Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
By: Vanessa Barneveld on June 21, 2009
at 12:15 pm