Its patience that sees us plough through draft after draft,
rewrite and revise until our fingers become numb, chisel every extra word and
polish until the manuscript sparkles.
Perseverance is what sees writers seek publishing year
after year even after the rejections pile up. We know deep down that it’s just a
matter of time before we write that breakthrough story/novel that will propel
our manuscripts to the top of the pile and make people in position notice us.
We just cannot sustain a writing life without
enthusiasm for our stories, characters and plots. Even when we would rather
catch up with all our other activities, enjoy the freedom that other people
have, we greet the errant muse with enthusiasm when he drops in
unexpectedly at the ungodly hour of 3.a.m, when the rest of the world is
safely ensconced in their snug blankets. Better an untimely muse than no muse!
Its enthusiasm that sees us working at our laptops to add
more words to our ever growing story. Enthusiasm sustains us during those times
when criticism stalks us at every step. We know that writing is our passion and
as long as there are some people who like what we have written, we will be
enthusiastic enough to write more for them.
What finally sees us arrive safely at the top of the summit
(read bag a publishing contract) is a firm determination to reach the goal.
Determination is what I consider inner strength, where we want to see our
stories reach out to people and make a difference in their lives.
What really helps is visualizing our goals: seeing us
holding our published books in our hands strengthens our resolve to make our dreams come true.
Do these four traits constantly surround you?
What else motivates you to keep typing when the rejection slips pile up and
criticism and rejection walk toward us? Have these four traits deserted you at any time? What have you done then? How have
you got them back?
Very true, Rachna! Without these attributes we can go far:)
ReplyDeleteYes, these traits surround me. For me, it's not rejection letters, it's revisions.
ReplyDeleteNot sure I'm always surrounded by them. I just plod through during the hard times. And I still think we need them once we get a publishing contract.
ReplyDeleteI think it's natural to go periods where you feel less enthusiastic, but those times pass. If you really want to succeed you don't have any other choice but to keep at it.
ReplyDeletemood
Moody Writing
Nice post, Rachna
ReplyDeleteYes, they have abandoned me but I rest assured on the fact they always come back at one time or another. Patience never leaves me although I feel it does sometimes. But if I had not patience, I wouldn't wait for the other three to return. :)
ReplyDeletePatience and perseverance...yup need lots of those:) I try to be kind of Zen about it...just let the writing flow and not questioning it:)
ReplyDeleteRachna,
ReplyDeleteSo true that we need all of the qualities you mentioned to keep doing what we do.
It's easy to sink into inactivity when we aren't making headway, but a dedicated writer keeps on going. That and determination kept me querying until I had three contracts and it's what's kept me on moving forward after I decided to self-publish some of my work.
J.L. Campbell writes Jamaican Kid Lit
We need all of those attributes. I'd add dedication to readers once we start gaining them as well.
ReplyDeleteHello, I was blog hopping and reached your's.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blog !
This post is a very positive one, good !
For most of us appreciation and acceptance stimulate creativity but for a few creativity flows unabated no matter what !
Best of luck !
Thanks
Rajiv
www.magicalpresent.blogspot.com
www.magnificentdewdrops.blogspot.com
Nice post and lovely picture, Rachna. Enthusiasm never wanes. The creative spirit may take an occasional break but it never fades.
ReplyDeleteI think each of those traits leave every once in a while, usually while we're slogging through a swamp. But they come back. Especially when we spy a bright shiny.
ReplyDeleteHi friends, thanks for visiting. Sometimes one or more of these traits completely deserts me, but eventually they return. Its those times when the traits leave me that I go into a writing slump.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say they always surround me, but all four have come through for me when I needed them.
ReplyDeleteAlmost you talk me out of writing, for I don't see myself anywhere here at all! Nothing to disagree with, though!
ReplyDeleteThose are important traits. I'm glad to have them.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, some days I have no idea what keeps me going. Perhaps it's the love of writing.
ReplyDeleteI nurture these four traits everyday with water and sunshine and chocolate. :D
ReplyDeleteYou've described the life of a writer perfectly! Those are definitely traits we all need to see the journey through. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Angela
Those are the traits of a writer, for sure! And to just keep moving forward regardless of what anyone says because it's what we love to do.
ReplyDeleteI would say those are the traits of a real writer. A lot of people meddle, I think. They get miffed when the muse deserts them and they don't get the result they wanted and life gets in the way. And then they quit, they figure it was a fluke and move on. But real writers, as you point out, keep writing. They keep revising, keep trying, keep pushing. Because they have to write.
ReplyDeleteI'm a real writer in training. I'm no where near that mountain top, but I am still writing, and I'm gonna keep on writing and then I'm gonna write some more. And some day, I'm starting to think, that mountaintop will be in view. And until then, I've got some writing to do.
Nice post.. As someone rightly said, Patience is the key to any sucess in life.
ReplyDelete