In my mind's eye, I can picture everyone perking up and looking more intently at the screen. "What's the Q Factor?"
The answer is simple. If you're talking dropping about a bad habit, quitting is successful. For all other endeavors, quitting is the #1 guaranteed way to F-A-I-L. One of the best things about quitting is how amazingly easy it is to do. I won't list the reasons; everyone here has one they could use and make it sound plausible. My kids, my spouse, my job, my other responsibilities, my_____ (fill in the blank).
Bottom line: If you don't want to fail, don't quit.
Knowing what you believe success is for you is the first step in being a successful writer. The rest is a combination of work, determination, skill, and a willingness to learn.
Campers camp. Fighters fight. Teachers teach. Writers write. Do you write? If yes, good! Stop and think a moment. Why do you write? Is writing both a release and an enjoyable time for you, and you don't mind some extra pocket change? Are you so driven by your inner need to write that you work a regular job and then write until you absolutely have to go to bed only to get up and do another round the next day? Are you in a position to write full time because you have other means of support while you write? Stick with me, now. I'm getting to the good stuff. I promise.
If you want to succeed, you must first decide what success is for you, otherwise, how will you know if you're successful? It sounds like one of those "well, duh!" kind of questions, but it isn't. Knowing what success is to you is what most people call having a goal.
Did you know a large percentage of retirees die within five years of retiring? Could that be because all their lives, they worked to retire? That was their big goal. Once they reached it, they didn't have anything else to focus on. A vague, "more travel, more time for the family, more golf..." how do you know if you have enough of "more" to feel successful? You don't. You need a measurement. I'm not saying anything else about setting goals. If you want a good, short article, click this link. It's a quick guide to setting smart goals. http://personaldevelopment.suite101.com/article.cfm/smart_goal_settingBottom line: If you don't want to fail, don't quit.
Knowing what you believe success is for you is the first step in being a successful writer. The rest is a combination of work, determination, skill, and a willingness to learn.
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5 comments:
Okay, okay... I'm properly chastised... LOL. Great blog, hon.
Hi, Kayelle,
You are right on with this post. The problem is, so many people have come to believe that they don't deserve success, or that there's something selfish or even immoral about believing in their own abilities. But if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will. This particularly applies to writing, which can be such a solitary endeavor.
Best,
Lisabet
Kealie, glad it helped. :)
Lisabet, how true! It helped me to remember that I am marketing myself as a writer and a business rather than as me, the person. The self esteem of the writer is definitely tied to the person, but each is built-up in a different way.
Online, I'm a business person, partner, writer, advisor, leader, negotiator and all those other hats that anyone wears who works for a living. At home I'm wife, mom, household manager, budget clerk *snork* and chief cook. Remembering who it is I'm marketing has helped me separate the personal side from the business. Which in turn enables me to be more bold in both marketing and seeking new markets, or leading new groups. Marketing for Romance Writers came about because I was constantly asked for advice, and as flattering as that was, I didn't have time to help everyone. Making the group has helped me helped more than I ever could on my own.
Interested authors, editors, publishers, agents, cover artists, and author promo services are all welcome there. Here's the link.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MarketingForRomanceWriters/
Hey Kayelle, good advice. Certainly, perseverance, or not quitting, was one reason I've known success, as in becoming published and continuing to be published.
You help other authors more than most other authors I've seen. You've definitely helped me.
Savanna, what a nice thing to say. I believe the more you help others the more it helps you. It's a version of "what goes around comes around" -- so I give as much as I can.
((hugs)) Have a wonderful holiday my friend. :)
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