Lessons in Resiliency From Bozo the Clown
Growing up, I had this Bozo the Clown punching bag toy. Tube-shaped and made of hard rubber, it stood about four feet tall and had a weighted bottom. It was painted with Bozo’s likeness, with 3D orange clown hair sticking out on either side of his head, a honkable red-ball nose, wide eyes and an exaggerated smile. The idea was to sock Bozo right in the face—possibly not a toy today’s parents would embrace—making him flail backward. But he’d always bounce right back up due to the weighted bottom, and always with that same goofy grin.
Thank you Universe. May I have another?
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| Stealing scenes as Dolly |
Throughout my life, I’ve felt a kinship with these Bozo toys—getting knocked down but always bouncing back up, my undying willingness to try again intact. In my sixth grade graduation play, I was not cast as the lead in Annie Get Your Gun as I’d hoped, but instead tagged for the comical supporting role of Dolly. After a good sulk, I decided I’d be the best darn Dolly I could be and went on to steal most of the scenes I was in.
Okay Universe. Watch me now.
My journey to becoming a published author began with a mostly unsuccessful attempt at a screenwriting career. After being knocked down countless times by near-misses and consolation prizes, I shifted my focus (i.e. bounced back) to writing books for kids. Guess what? I continued to get knocked down and had to continue bouncing back up. Somewhere along the line, I realized this was sort of my thing. I would not give up, would not lose hope. There would always be a different approach or another angle I could try. And I did—again and again.
Howdy Universe! Guess who?Luckily, after signing with an agent whose resiliency rivaled my own and a new series of bounce-backs, we sold my debut YA novel, Cursed. I had a great experience working with my editor and publisher, and the book went on to win a big award. Whew! I’d made it!
Alas—the punches to the face did not cease. Life generally doesn’t work that way, particularly for artists. There will always be hurdles, crushing near-misses, confidence-rattling disappointments. So what’s a tired punching bag clown to do? Keep writing. Keep bouncing back up. Keep relying on that weighted bottom to provide the momentum and balance needed to try again, to believe that a victory is not only possible but might be right around the next corner.
Watch out Universe. Here we come…
KAROL RUTH SILVERSTEIN is an award-winning children's book author and disability activist. She lives in West Hollywood, CA with two impossibly fluffy cats.
