Who ever said the writing life would be easy? I know I never did. I actually think it was probably much easier back in the day when you could only find one or two books in an entire village. And they were hidden behind the walls of the local monastery. You didn't have to worry about competition or copy rights. Heck, you were probably praying someone would copy your work and get the word out there.
Today writers face all types of challenges. Not only do writers find bumps in the road, they find detours, cracks, crevices and sometimes craters coming between them and their goal of becoming a published author. The competition is fierce and the expectations are high.
So what's a writer to do? Rise to the challenge! Refuse to allow writer's block, rejection letters, or anyone saying you can't write to bring you down. If you wake up each morning with the courage to face a blank computer screen and work to fill it with words then YOU, my friend, are a writer!
But there is a difference between being a writer and being a successful one. I don't mean financially, although I'm sure all writers would love to see a six figure income come with their writing. No, success as a writer to me means being able to sleep at night knowing you have produced the best possible work.
Successful writers overcome challenges by creating a firm foundation to support their body of work. They read up on the fine art of writing. They attend workshops and writer's conferences. They join critique groups and enter contests. But most importantly, they write. They continue to write when they wonder if they have anything else to say. They write when they aren't sure how the story ends. They write when they are only writing to an audience of one.
You see, it's not about the destination...it's about the journey. It's about getting off your butt and not letting anyone or anything keep you from your dreams. Writing comes from deep within us and enriches not only the life of the writer, but all who come in contact with them. It's a chance to lift up a heart with your words and possibly change a life forever. Rising to the challenge of becoming greater than you ever thought possible.
And as this Aquadom elevator reminds me...oh what an incredible ride it can turn out to be!
Donna,
ReplyDeleteYou continue to have inspiring posts. Thanks for inspiring me to rise to the challenge today.
Thanks, Penny, for stopping by! I hope I have many more posts in my head for months to come...lol
DeleteHave a great weekend and come back any time!
Great words of encouragement here. I hope I can remember them when the dark days come.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stephen, for stopping by! When or if you see storm clouds rolling in, just hop back over here for a friendly word and a big dose of encouragement! Have a great weekend and come back any time!
DeleteAbsolutely LOVE your view of success. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAnd wait a minute -- that's an ELEVATOR? Where does one ride? Inside the fishies? Where is it? That is cool, scary, amazing... (sort of like the writing process. Duh...)
Here is a quote from ( http://www.blog.simplyscuba.com )
Delete"This Cylindrical Aquarium, the AquaDom can be found in Berlin at the Radisson SAS Hotel lobby. It’s the largest of its kind to be built and stands at 25 metres tall and is filled with roughly 900,000 litres of sea water which is home to 2600 fish of 56 different species."
There is an elevator that runs up through the middle of the thing and all you see is the fishies on your way to the top! Thanks, Beth, for stopping by and come back any time!
Another amazing post.... full of wisdom.... thankyou Donna.
ReplyDeleteWell shucks, Diane, I try...;0)
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!