Some days, if not most of them, writing is HARD. It hurts. Your brain screams, your fingers feel numb, and the story on the page reads like anything but the NYT best-selling novel you want it to be.
On those days it’s easy to believe you made a bad choice and, perhaps, you weren’t meant to be a writer.
Photo by Angelina Litvin on Unsplash
To combat the lies your mental gremlins wants you to believe, I’ve compiled a list of quotes from various writing conferences that inspired me to keep moving forward.
They remind me that I’m in the right place at the right time. So what will I do with my opportunity? What will you do with yours?
“I do this to build to the next thing.” ~Cheryl Ammeter
Don’t look at your current project as the beginning and end of your career. You are always building toward the next step or next project. This mindset allows failure to be a learning opportunity rather than a devastating blow.
“Writers aren’t born or educated. They’re grown.” ~Jodi Thomas
Remember that growth takes time and patience. Be open and teachable. Give yourself credit for what you’ve done. Look for the growth rather than getting stuck in what you haven’t done.
“There are no blueprints for writing.” ~Jodi Thomas
This is one of my faves! There are best practices and helps, but at the end of the day, it’s YOUR process! Write in the way that works for you. You can look to others for guidance or inspiration, but don’t stress if your way doesn’t look exactly the same as theirs.
“The only difference between someone who jumps from a plane and someone who falls off a cliff is that last little bit at the end.” ~Jodi Thomas
When you feel like you’re falling tell yourself instead, “I’m skydiving!” Choose your path. Choose your experience. Choose how you feel about both. When we blame others, we give them our power (aka we fall off the cliff). But when we take ownership, we give ourselves a parachute that will change how our story ends.
“Widen your stance.” ~Jodi Thomas
If you are not succeeding at one thing, try another. At the beginning of his writing career James Rollins received rejection after rejection for his thriller novel so he decided to write fantasy. Now he’s successful in both genres!
(By the way, if you ever have a chance to hear Jodi Thomas speak… DO IT!!!)
“You can’t please everybody so you have to write the book you want to write, and write as if nobody will read it.” ~ Roni Loren
If you’re constantly worried about what your mom will think, you’ll freeze during the drafting process. As Stephen King says, write with the door closed. Worry about the people later.
“It’s much easier to fix a page with words on it than to fix a blank page.” ~Nora Roberts
Write the damn novel. You gotta finish the draft if you want to get to publishing the story.
“You aren’t always the best judge of your work.” ~Candance Haven
Oh my gosh I love this so much!!! Whether you think you’re God’s gift to writing or a stain on the page, good crit partners will help keep you balanced. AND they are better judges of what is truly awesome writing and what is total crap.
“Mistakes are where great things happen.” ~James Rollins
Break the rules and don’t be afraid.
When you can, attend a writers’ conferences. Make it a non-negotiable in your career. There is nothing better than surrounding yourself with fellow writers while learning from the pros. And there is nothing better than giving space to your art that says, “Hell YES!!! This is worth it!”
Remember, I believe in you!
Loves & hugs,
Deb
P.S. Happy Independence Day!!!!