How do you define writing success?
As a writer, when you think you're doing the same old over and over again, and when you think you aren't making any progress...
YOU ARE.
When you feel like nothing's happening...
IT IS.
Let me explain. I'm realising how often we base our opinions (and things we believe to be true) on our own perceptions. We might allow ourselves some self pity because after months of submitting we still haven't had any success.
My question is, how do I define success?
Dream Agent #1 (insert name here) signing me on? Definitely.
Publishing contract and hard copy book on shelves? Definitely.
The problem is that some writers stop there. That is their definition of success and that's final. My challenge to you (and myself) is to continue your list of success definitions.
I am constantly writing no matter what is happening.
I am revising and polishing projects.
I am beginning and working on new stories.
I am often researching, listening to webinars, attending workshops and conferences to improve my craft.
I keep submitting and searching for the agent/editor that will love my work as much as I do.
I am having my work critiqued and critiquing other writer's work.
I am always reading books in the genre that I write in.
I am thinking, dreaming, imagining and creating.
THOSE are also in my list to define success. Writing is a process. Representation and Publication doesn't happen overnight and it requires A LOT of hard work (and sometimes many years) to achieve these bigger outcomes of success.
So let's aim to focus on the little successes along the way. And, hopefully, one day those big successes will happen too!
Good luck with your writing and may you experience success today :-)
As a writer, when you think you're doing the same old over and over again, and when you think you aren't making any progress...
YOU ARE.
When you feel like nothing's happening...
IT IS.
Let me explain. I'm realising how often we base our opinions (and things we believe to be true) on our own perceptions. We might allow ourselves some self pity because after months of submitting we still haven't had any success.
My question is, how do I define success?
Dream Agent #1 (insert name here) signing me on? Definitely.
Publishing contract and hard copy book on shelves? Definitely.
The problem is that some writers stop there. That is their definition of success and that's final. My challenge to you (and myself) is to continue your list of success definitions.
I am constantly writing no matter what is happening.
I am revising and polishing projects.
I am beginning and working on new stories.
I am often researching, listening to webinars, attending workshops and conferences to improve my craft.
I keep submitting and searching for the agent/editor that will love my work as much as I do.
I am having my work critiqued and critiquing other writer's work.
I am always reading books in the genre that I write in.
I am thinking, dreaming, imagining and creating.
THOSE are also in my list to define success. Writing is a process. Representation and Publication doesn't happen overnight and it requires A LOT of hard work (and sometimes many years) to achieve these bigger outcomes of success.
So let's aim to focus on the little successes along the way. And, hopefully, one day those big successes will happen too!
Good luck with your writing and may you experience success today :-)
