In November last year Womagwriter posted the following quote, pinched from J A Konrath’s blog:There's a word for a writer who never gives up: Published
It struck a chord with me at the time, and even though months have gone by, this remark keeps popping into my head.
It is a welcome visitor just now. At the moment I am smothered with work, a mountain of washing, a house that is buried under five years’ (of not more) of junk, the demands of three small (but lovely) children, and endless paperwork of other people’s making. As soon as I stop to write, the whole world crashes down around me, and the result (not surprisingly) lacks lusture.
I can imagine that these are the circumstances under which people consider giving up; but I’m not. Why? Because of JAK’s remark. Because the only way to be one of the two in three thousand slush-pile survivors is to keep going. And because I don’t want them writing on my grave: “Could have made it, but didn’t try hard enough.”
What’s your 'writing word of the moment'?
I have to tell you that the highlighter is Photoshoppery; I don't want you thinking I'd do that to my beloved dictionary.
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15 comments:
You're SO right about everything crashing down as soon as you start devoting time to writing, but equally right that it's the only way to get published. (I've searched high and low for a magic formula and there isn't one. Tut.)
My word of the moment seems to be PANIC (half another year gone and still no sign of a finished manuscript) but I'm going to change it to PERSEVERE right now :o)
That's a GREAT quote.
My writing-related word of the moment is CONTEMPLATIVE. I watched a video about Lola Jaye getting her book published on You Tube the other day and she mentioned about how she'd written two books and got nowhere and then thought, "Sod it, I'm going to write the book I'd want to read" and the book flowed out of her and got her signed and then published.
So I started to think about how I'm struggling with book 2 right now and how book 3 is really calling me. And I'm trying to work out what to do next...
Mine? Excuses.
Good for you, honey. And you are published - twice. Just take a look at your side bar! As ever my writing word is 'scattergun'.
That's a great quote.
I think to get to the end of your days and say 'I could/should have' must be the saddest thing.
Last week my word was 'giveitupyoudeludedwoman' but this week it's 'keepgoing'.
And your 'determined' is the only way to succeed. Keep going m'dear:-)
My writing word of the moment is time. Where's the next lot coming from? Actually I have the answer to that one - tomorrow evening on the train.
Have had a hectic week, no time to do any writing for a full 7 days, but the visitors are going shortly and my time will soon be my own again.
Mine, alas, is 'failed'. I lack the resilience and optimism of you enthusiasts. I could've chosen 'despair' or something about being out on the moor and unable to get in...
My word of the moment is CONFUSED but that's only because I'm tired after enjoying myself for three days and now am catching up with washing and my writing.
So once I've gathered myself my word will be FOCUS and that's what I'm going to have to do with my writing.
The following is a quote that keeps me focused on my writing: Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal.
Cheers!
Three words: Perseverance, perseverance and perseverance.
Mine is the same as yours. With a possible side order of 'grimly'.
My word of the moment is London.
I wish we all could have made a full weekend of it :)
Karen - They do say that you simply have to make time, but, Oh, God, they never mention the cost...
Calistro - Ah, that's a hard one, and I have exactly the same problem. I dreamed about novel three the other night. Dialogue and all. Really frustrating...
Clarissa - Excuses? You have real ones? ;-)
Helen - Scattergun is a great word, but not one I would automatically associate with you!
Lane - And you too. Mutual willing will prevail...
Womag - Hope it was a blessed return. There's nothing worse than no time.
Archy - As one of the very few published novelists I know, you can hardly call yourself 'failed'. So there.
Debs - Ha ha ha! Hope it was worth it!
Anon - That's another good quote to remember during a struggle. I think I'll go and put that on my wall right now.
Fiona - Good for you. Got any to spare?
Zinnia - Gritted teeth, huh? Keep going. We're right behind you.
B - Ditto! Although I've once again used up more than the available childcare brownie-points, and am in debt until at least Christmas...!
I think everyone should just bring their kids next time. Would be fab to meet them all :)
I love that quote! And I can see how inspiring it can be. It's all about focussing on the end goal! I use words like 'determination' and 'persistence' but they always seem to keep me in the journey!
I like it.
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