By MK Meredith
The answer to that question can determine your level of
tenacity. Because this is the thing, writing isn’t easy. Writing requires a
large time commitment, a tough hide, and self-motivation. And if you aren’t
doing it for the right reasons, or rather, if your reasons aren’t strong
enough…writing is easy to quit.
For me, I can’t imagine doing anything else. And that’s the
key. I am driven to write. I have stories to tell. When I’m in the middle of
writing a book, stepping away from it to engage in the rest of my life, is very
difficult. And I love my life! However, I could be cooking dinner or on a date
with my husband, my best friend, but one leg still
remains stretched out knee deep in that book. I can’t wait to get back to it.
I’m antsy and long to feel the cool, smooth buttons of my keyboard. The story
calls to me, my characters beg for me to resolve their issues or challenge them
with new ones. Not until I write the words, ‘The End’, am I able to break free. For a second.
Until the next story grabs hold and demands itself to paper.
Writing makes me happy. Filling my life with joy is a dream
come true. Why would I ever stop? I wouldn’t. I won’t. I am tenacious.
With every rejection from an editor or an agent, I take a
day, medicate myself with peanut butter (my comfort food) and soak in the pain.
But when the sun rises the next day…I write.
Stay in the fight. Don’t give up.
When the writing gets tough…get tough on your writing.
Write a business plan, with goals and actions. Write a
vision statement. Consider the industry and your craft. What do you still have
left to learn?
Cheryl St. John, a wonderful romance writer, mentor and
friend, gave me the best advice. “Be a constant student. Don’t ever think
you’ve learned all you can learn.” Her words are permanently engraved in my
brain.
I practice and research and write, write, write. I study the
industry, and participate in my local writing community, critique groups and workshops. My
schedule is full and I love every stinkin’ minute of it. Because I’m a writer.
If writing is really what you want as your career. If
regularly publishing in your genre, and someday making it onto the New York
Times Best Sellers list is your dream. Then write. Don’t give up. Each day is a
new day and a new opportunity to write your best work.
This industry is subjective and the traditional route leaves
much of the control in someone else’s hands. But, what you do control is
whether or not you write. Whether or not you learn.
Your success stems from your level of tenacity. Your ability
to stick with it, grow, and improve until the day you are published. Because
that day will come. And it will come soon.
If you keep writing.
_________________________________________________________
MK Meredith is an
aspiring contemporary romance and paranormal romance author. She is a regular
volunteer for Pikes Peak Writers and Pikes Peak Romance Writers out of Colorado Springs , CO
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