The Practice of Success
By Sarah Callender | July 8, 2015 |
Because it is summertime and my kids are absolutely omnipresent, I hear myself doing quite a lot of bossing around: Go practice your typing! Go practice your violin! Go practice being a not-sullen preteen! Go practice not stinking up the house with your stinky feet! Meanwhile I am practicing patience, sanity maintenance and juggling work + kids, all of which are tricky when I don’t have much quiet in my head and the temperature is 30 degrees hotter than any Seattleite can stand. So I also practice sunscreen application and iced coffee concoctions.
All this recent practicing has led me to consider how and what we practice in our professional lives. My friend, Heather, practices medicine. My friend, Matt, practices hot yoga. Robin practices law (though she’s a Good Witch, not a Bad Witch). Tony has a meditation practice. And I suppose I could say today, I am practicing Loving My Neighbor, a hard task as my neighbors are responsible for this mess in my driveway.
(That young man is jealous of the guy in the 9-foot hole where it’s a pleasant 62 degrees.)
To explain: our neighbors decided to replace the sewer line, including our shared line, Just In Case. Therefore, I am required to shell out thousands of dollars that I had not planned to shell. I also have lost access to my driveway and garage for two weeks which would be no big deal except that it’s just too hot out there, and everything’s difficult when it’s too hot. But I will keep trying to love my neighbors because I am called to practice Neighbor-Loving.
With so much practicing going on, I wonder why I don’t say that I practice writing. If we did think of ourselves as practicers of the craft of writing, would it be easier to remember that writing fiction is an art, and no one ever masters an art? Not even a best-selling author can write a book without struggling, plotting, plodding, revising, starting over, doubting, more revising, more doubting. Writing is a craft we must practice, not a science we can master.
If we are practicers of writing, we can also redefine writerly “success.” While our culture defines success by numbers (selling a million copies, making a million dollars, writing a million books) and by trophies (how many writing grants, publications, contest prizes and book awards someone has earned), that definition can cause not-wealthy, untrophied writers to feel rather crummy. Book sales, writing grants and fiction awards are important, but does accumulating a certain number mean we have made it? And what is that certain number? And when we reach that number, do we climb up a laurel and rest there until we die?
It is essential to set goals throughout our writing journey: pitching to an agent at a conference, submitting a story to three publications, introducing oneself to a potential writing partner, writing a query letter, writing 1000 words every day, writing one scene before lunch. Without these mile markers, we are dandelion fluff at the mercy of wind, gravity or the breath of a child. Meeting goals is cause for celebration. But we should also understand that coming to a mile marker doesn’t ensure peace and happiness. Conversely, if and when we have trouble reaching a mile marker, that does not mean we have failed. It means we are still walking. We are still practicing.[pullquote]What if success were based on generosity and humility rather than numbers and trophies?[/pullquote]
Tidy definitions of “success,” however, are comforting to humans, and success is too often connected to the arrival rather than to the journey. A few years ago I had the opportunity to speak at the PNWA conference with a presentation titled, “Finding Your Dream Agent.” I believed (and still do) that I have found my dream agent. She and I, however, have not sold a manuscript. I acknowledged this to the 500+ folks in the audience, and after my presentation I received this question from more than a few people: How can she be your dream agent when she hasn’t sold your book?
That stung. Then I heard Ron, the imaginary bloke who sits on my shoulder and whispers mean stuff into my ear, say, Ooo, good question! How can she be your dream agent, Sarah, when she hasn’t sold your book?
After slipping Ron a mickey, I tossed him into the backseat of my car, drove him along a deserted country road until I came upon a pasture of tigers and moray eels, and that’s where I dumped him. As I was driving away, I recalled my definition of a dream agent: She is loyal, passionate, dedicated, creative, savvy, experienced, respected and willing to provide editorial support and advice. Never a laurels-rester, she is part-cheerleader, part-salesperson, part-mama bear. She uses phrases like: “Sarah, I will DIE trying to sell this book.”
Those in the audience who questioned the dreamy qualities of my agent believe in the numbers-and-trophies kind of success: if she were any good, she would have sold the book in three minutes for six figures. But I know a dream agent when I see one. She is patient. She is willing to work her tush off to sell my book because she sees my potential, because she knows I am a practicer.
We know that true and lasting happiness does not come from wealth, accolades or promotions. It does not come from losing ten pounds or watching three agents fight to represent you. True happiness is connected to peace, contentment, relationships, self-acceptance and baby elephant videos. [pullquote] My professional success shouldn’t be based on the fickle approval (or disapproval) of others. [/pullquote]
Then how should we define happiness (and success) in our writing practice? What if success were based on generosity and humility rather than numbers and trophies? What if “making it” as a writer came when we were in the position to willingly help others? What if we knew we “had arrived” when we were able to pay it forward?
J. K. Rowling gives generously to programs that fight poverty, illiteracy and multiple sclerosis. John Green spends time and money supporting Nerds and fighting World Suck. Dave Eggers supports young writers through his 826 programs. In my mind, they have arrived. They have made it. True, their ability to give back may be possible because of numbers and trophies, but it’s not the numbers and trophies that make them so successful. I bet it’s the giving that makes them happiest.
If we are craft practicers, and if we base success on our generosity and humility rather than numbers, trophies and the fickle approval (or disapproval) of others, we can’t help but be a success. If we are practicers who sets goals and steadily grow in wisdom and craft, then we are doing our job as artists.
Your turn! How do you define writerly success? Have you been disappointed by any “numbers and trophies” success in your writing life? What does the practice of writing look like for you? Should I move to Arizona to escape this heat?
Ballet photo compliments of Flickr’s thejbird.
[coffee]
A Middle Grade novelist (and Middle School English teacher), Sarah Callender lives in Seattle with her family. Because Sarah dislikes cleaning anything that will just get messy again, she tidies the house and weeds the yard only when absolutely necessary. This allows her time to focus on her true–and somewhat fraught–passions: writing, Abe Lincoln, and Tony’s Chocolonely chocolate bars. Equally passionate about mental health advocacy, Sarah is a member of The Stability Network. Sarah’s first novel, LUCY IN BETWEEN, will be published by Margaret Ferguson Books/Holiday House in 2026.
Thanks, Sarah, for a healthy reminder of agents and success. Nice blog to read first thing in the morning before I dive into my 1000 words for today goal!
Thank YOU, Carol. I have heard too many author-pals realize that simply getting a book published does not a happy, peaceful writer make. In fact, it’s often the opposite. We unpublished can write without pressure from readers, editors, reviewers.
I have a friend whose debut was a huge success. She received so much positive feedback that she found herself paralyzed . . . one kind soul even said, “I LOVED this book. I don’t see how anything you write could be this amazing!” Boom. Paralyzed. She simply could not write under such pressure.
As it’s early in the morning (I assume) for you, I have no doubt you will meet your goal. And, that you will keep meeting it. And keep meeting it. And keep meeting it.
Carry on, dear practicer!
So true. Everyone wants to be a success and do the sexy part of success without the practice. In life there are very few overnight successes, and lots of people who learned to be talented with their practice. Sports players will say they get better with practice. Playing the game is just the measuring stick of that practice. I always look at how a team warms up and guess who will win. I’m usually right.
That is brilliant, Sharon! I have never thought about watching a team’s warm-up attitude. I’m going to a Mariners game today . . . I’ll be sure to arrive a bit early to see the boys warming up.
Thank you for taking the time to add these wise words!
Thank you thank you thank you for this perspective and YOUR generosity. Just the phrase, “writing practice” helps me to feel quite unburdened.
What a nice comment, Amanda. And yes, I am all about the unburdening, especially when it comes to writing. Parenting, too. Oh, and marriage. There are so many realms in which I am still evolving. When I think of myself as a dedicated practicer, I can remind myself that there will be good days and not-good days and I’m not supposed to beat myself up. It’s all about the persistence, right?
Keep persisting, friend!
Sarah, your post today is so good. Thank you for the thoughts. I agree with you that giving, sharing, connecting to people are all vital to being a writer and feeding the soul. I guess we tend to think of success as final but it really isn’t. Success and failure can ping-pong so taking either one as a destiny is probably not smart. In terms of writerly success, I try not to think about it too much. With each new story, it’s like a dare to write my best and that means to keep polishing my craft. Someone once said it’s not the destiny, it’s the journey that fulfills and thrills. Nice platitude but man oh man, these journeys can be exhausting!
Many successes come after many failures, and that is why practice and determination is essential for creating success. What one may regard as their success, other my look at it as nothing, not knowing the amount of time put into practicing and trying to make it perfect. It is said that practice makes perfect. We also learn and get experience from failure, after failure, if we want to become successful with whatever we are trying to achieve, we have to keep going and keep practicing with commitment and determination. https://www.mindprocess.co.uk/newsletter/
Yes, KB. I am so glad you mentioned the importance of failure as a skill-builder. I suppose we can react to “failure” by learning from it and persevering or by giving up. And as you point out, maybe what we perceive as failure isn’t really failure at all. Maybe we only fail when we surrender . . . thank you for making me think!
The journey IS exhausting, Paula, and so dang long!
I loved your comment about success ping-ponging around. It is so true. I have a friend who was sure that finding Mr. Right and marrying him would fill the hole she felt in her life. Marriage, like writing, can also be a journey. Any relationship can. But we (as long as it’s a healthy relationship) keep polishing and polishing. It takes work to keep things shiny and smooth, and polishing is so tedious.
I love the idea that we are dedicated, tenacious polishers, in addition to practicers. Thank you, Paula, for these words!
Sarah,
As always, you made me laugh. And think! For me the practice of writing is in showing up every day. I set goals, but not for word count necessarily. More for impact. For the emotional piece. When I’m drained at the end of the day, I know I worked toward that goal. I think showing up while juggling kids and neighbors and life-in-general is a heroic act.I forget sometimes that we all have to do this, so thank you for that reminder. But for me, much of the writing gets done off the page. While weeding the garden or doing dishes or sitting in traffic.
I practice yoga, and I see so many connections between this and writing. Showing up, making slow progress, redefining the idea of arriving. The idea of giving back jazzes me. To have the ability to put a dent in the madness that has become the world, whether through stories or through other generosities? That’s a marvelous thing.
Lovely post, Sarah with an h. I aspire to paying it forward one day. It makes all the effort/practice of writing worth it to me.
Thank you, Carmel with one a. You are already paying it forward by contributing! I’m always so grateful for the encouragement of your comments.
:)
Haha. Thanks. Has anyone ever told you that you remind them of Anne with an e?
Fantastic post, Sarah! I think your sentiments reinforce a lot of what I recently wrote about here in “Change Your Mindset,” but you’ve put things even more eloquently and humorously. (Ron, hah!) Well done.
And oh man, everything you said about your agent? DITTO. I get frustrated when friends/family doubt mine, because she’s an absolute gem. But then I remember that most people don’t understand this business at all (and really, why should they?) so I brush it off.
All right, time to get back to practicing! ;) Thanks again for such a smart and reinvigorating post.
I love the “change your mindset” theme, Kristan. I also love your ability to brush off the comments of others. That’s hard for me to do (I blame Ron) but it’s so important! I’ll now think of you whenever someone makes a comment that makes me question my journey. Thank you!
I have a schedule which gets blown occasionally. When editing, I make a goal of a certain amount of pages. When writing something new, I make word totals. I take breaks and write blog posts. Works for me! I feel like I am accomplishing something in working toward my goals. That’s success for me. :)
It’s been raining here since the 4th! I would hit the mall.
Oh, Susie. I would pay serious dough for some rain about now. I think I am in process of desiccating, and it’s making me crabby. I’ll see if I can find a mall around here . . .
I love your way of setting goals. It’s amazing how well those little numbers work for me too. They are arbitrary, but they somehow become very important to my progress (and to my feeling of success). I love your dedication.
Thank you! Send rain our way! ;)
Sarah–
Thanks for another solid post. As you do consistently, you link your personal experience to questions of real importance to writers.
Unlike you, though, I am making no effort to Love My Neighbors. That’s because, over the July 4th weekend my neighbors took full advantage of a new law in Michigan. It allows them to play Artillery Deployment with fireworks, and they terrified my sweet little Aussie shepherd for three nights.
On to more relevant matters. You next focus on two issues.
1. What does success mean for writers? Is it confined to conventional markers–sales figures, awards, etc., or are other criteria just as legit? I would argue there’s just one way to be truly successful as a writer. It requires actually KNOWING what good as distinct from commercially successful writing is, and seeking to achieve that standard. Ray Rhamey’s valuable “Flog a Pro” feature at Writer Unboxed makes clear how often the word “bestseller’ means little in terms of my criterion. How often do readers use the “look inside” feature at Amazon, only to discover a book with hundreds of positive reviews that is badly written?
2. You speculate on what makes for a dream agent. Although I’ve stopped chasing after them, I have just one criterion for judging agents, and it’s related to the one I use in determining writing success. A dream agent has to like a writer’s work, BUT she must know both the marketplace and the craft of writing well enough to guide the writer in revision. Painful experience taught how little it can matter when an agent LOVES your work, but doesn’t know what that work still needs if editors are going to LOVE it too.
In the best of all possible worlds, the dream agent is both shrewd and connected enough to sell work that does not conform to what’s gone before in the writer’s genre. Again, though, my experience suggests that such an agent is truly the stuff of dreams, a chimera.
Lovely, Barry. Thank you! I agree 100% with your definition of a dream agent. My mom loves my writing, but she wouldn’t know the first place or person to send it to. Agents really do need to be savvy and well connected . . . and they have to have earned the trust of a variety of editors.
I also agree that conventional markers of success don’t always work for me. There’s a writer in Seattle who has written many bestsellers. And I would have a hard time making it through page 50 of any of them. I respect this author’s ability to produce so many books, and I admire the author’s presence on social media. There’s no doubt that this author is a success, but I’d rather be a different kind of success. I’m not sure what that looks like . . . probably not nearly as shiny and polished as this author’s success. :)
Sarah–
I shouldn’t–and no one’s going to read it–but I can’t help asking: why exactly do you “respect this author’s ability to produce so many books…”? Are you just being your usual, generous self, or what? If I can’t read them, I don’t care how many books a writer pumps out. But then I’m not especially generous.
Hi Barry. :)
I actually was being neither sweet nor generous. While I don’t love every piece of fiction, I genuinely admire an author’s ability to produce work. I don’t necessarily admire the work, but I know it’s not easy to write one novel, much less eight (or so) of them. That tenacity and work ethic is worth a lot in my humble opinion.
And there are many thousands of readers who buy this author’s books . . . I may be weird for NOT liking the style and genre.
Does that make sense?
:)
Don’t move to Arizona to escape the heat. Long term you’re better off in Seattle. I’m in New York, which is Arizona heat with Amazon River steam bath humidity, so I can tell you.
Practicing success. I’m lucky to have been published but my earlier work was long ago and simple genre fare. What I’m attempting now is more difficult. There aren’t the same templates, nor the easily accepting print publishing industry that I once knew.
I’ve had to redefine success. For me it is about meeting challenges set not by others but by myself. My current project is a literary romance. Nicholas Sparks and Charles Martin are the obvious models but my first challenge is to do such a story my own way.
The second challenge is to craft a story with little overt plot, as such, but plenty of inner journey. The third challenge I set myself was for the first time to write organically, without an outline.
Have I met those challenges? I think so, which is not to say the manuscript in question is “done” (definitely not) but I feel I have put my own spin on this story, it’s largely a tale of personal growth and I did pants it.
I found that inner journey can be as compelling as a killer plot. I discovered that a grounding in scene structure can take the amorphous condition of a man and make it solid story. I know now that the strongest change is within. I learned that I can write a style of story I once thought impossible.
So yeah, so far I count myself successful. Now for the next challenge. But in facing it I’m not greatly anxious because I already have success under my belt.
Nice post, thank you.
Dear Pantsing Benjamin,
This is such a great comment. While you may not have plotted every scene of your current book project, you clearly have plotted your road to success in such a wise and thoughtful way.
And, I love the idea that success can be defined, in part, not only by what we accomplish but by what we learn and how we grow. Yet you are growing not into Nicholas Sparks Jr. but the one and only Benjamin “the humidity-hating pantser” Brinks.
You have also seen the changes in the industry, and you are not scared to take on those changes (and grow in the process).
Good on you, my friend! I will look forward to hearing about more of your success.
Ah, it’s Sarah-Day on WU. That always makes a Wednesday so much more than Hump-Day.
I love the idea of “practicing writing.” I just had dinner with a group of familial-type humanoids that I only see a couple of times a year—in this case it’s been since last September. They truly mean well, and are genuinely interested in the fact that I am a writer. And so, after the usual descriptions of recent vacations and our takes on the crop of summer blockbusters, the conversation came around to the dreaded but inevitable: “So, how’s the writing thing going?” And you can only nod and pretend you’re still chewing for so long (even if you’re eating steak). Saying “It’s going really well, thanks,” and pouring more wine for the inquirer only works so many times with those who are genuinely interested.
It’s difficult for some folks to comprehend that manuscript drafts can be “finished” and yet need revision, or that a manuscript can be rewritten again and again. Heck, I even had trouble accepting that I have no real news to report to them. So when I said that I’m starting another rewrite of the manuscript I was working on last time I saw them, in reply I received vaguely annoyed stares.
Maybe if I thought of it as a practice, and replied that way, “Me? I’m still practicing writing. Yep, still a writing practitioner. The practice is thriving, thanks.” I think this could work. I’ve lost no ground even if I still get the annoyed stares, and my own outlook will have improved. But maybe, just maybe, I wouldn’t have to explain at length that *all* novels are rewritten. And yes, even the first draft of Harry Potter was rewritten.
I’ve got a good feeling about this. Next familial-type gathering, I’m on it! Thanks for saving me from pretend and/or abnormally lengthy steak-chewing, Sarah!
Oh, how I can empathize! I recently ran into a woman who is a bit of a bigwig in the Seattle area. She has written a few non-fiction books, and is often on news and radio.
We hadn’t seen each other in a while, and she paused to ask about my writing. When I told her I was working on my third book, she asked, “Really? What happened to the first two?”
Sheesh. She could get her grocery lists published without any trouble at all.
Then she proceeded to ask me what the third one was about. What’s it about? I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT”S ABOUT! I THOUGHT WRITERS KNEW BETTER THAN ASKING OTHER WRITERS WHAT THEIR BOOKS ARE ABOUT!!!
I see now that I am getting off topic in sharing that event, but I knew you’d relate, just I related to your dismay when a well-intentioned asker inquires about your progress. I hate that my answers are always the most boring answers ever: Still plugging along. Still working on it. Having trouble finding enough time in my day . . .
But now you have given me the great idea, and I will copy you. Let’s think of each other when we are using this phrase: “Still working, still practicing, still writing, still excited about the project!”
Thank you, Vaughn!
Before I knew it was your day to post, Sarah, I was thinking about you this morning. I decided you’re like WU’s Anne Lamott, with your special blend of humor, spirituality and deep thoughts. This is why I know you’ll sell one day, as long as you keep that practitioner mentality and don’t give up the faith.
The authors you mentioned as giving back and paying it forward? IMHO they don’t change personalities between their writing and their “platform”. That’s part of their voice, part of how they connect with readers. People respond to congruity and openness.
You are such a beautiful part of WU, Jan. Thank you, thank you.
And your point about authors not changing personalities when they connect as authors and when they connect as do-gooders. It’s so good to keep that in mind as we find ways to connect (authentically) with readers. If we are already doing what comes naturally, it won’t feel so awkward and fake to connect.
You are the Mother Teresa-Albert Einstein of WU.
;)
Sarah,
I owe you a coffee for missing you last month (sorry for being a June ostrich), so I got you two cups. Enjoy!
I just love how this post resonates with my core philosophy behind why I write. To me, success means connecting to the story and telling the story true. By that very definition. success is infinitely progressive. We can always outdo ourselves. This means, for me, there is victory every time I sit down and persevere, with that intent in mind, because I outdo my previous attempts.
Take this last weekend. I had a hell of a time nailing the scene I was working in. But I’m part of the Author Accelerator program and I’m now paying to get editorial feedback on 15 pages per week of my novel in progress. So, with that in mind, I didn’t cop out. Saturday was the dumps. I maybe got 300 words written, and just couldn’t get past the sense that the scene was flat and missing something critical. Sunday came and, after 4 hours of thinking, trying some new things, thinking, walking, eating chocolate and drinking coffee (thank God I don’t have Spider Solitaire on my computer any more), something started to happen. I really didn’t know until Monday morning (when my submission is due) that what I was doing actually worked out, and was pleased to hear back from my editor that this scene was spot on–but that’s just the point: I wasn’t focused on hurrying to get a novel written and get published, etc. I was focused on telling the story true. If I wanted, I could have windmilled out 15 pages, but I’ve been there, done that, and cried enough to it again. My goal is to get it right, to the best of my ability, and that takes hard work, requiring as much use of the backspace key as the space bar.
For me, that’s my success story: one writing step at a time. I really don’t care about awards, book deals, praise, etc. That kind of stuff comes of its own accord, and really, I blush too much to cope with all that. Even if I acquire a few accolades, my head will be down as I focus on my work, because success is progressive, and I always can do better, no matter how far I’ve come.
Oh my . . . I love this whole comment, especially this line: “My goal is to get it right, to the best of my ability, and that takes hard work, requiring as much use of the backspace key as the space bar.”
As a blusher myself, I agree that it’s best to leave the Oscars and spotlights to the fancies. Lucky us! We don’t have to worry about what we’ll wear on the red carpet; we just have to keep our heads down and tell the story true. Such wise words, John. Thank you for your generous sharing.
:)
I love your loyalty to your agent, not just hers to you. And could so relate to the stinky feet! The taking over of the house! Except mine are late teen and early twenties and I find myself wondering, when do I get to be an empty nester?
I am, so far, a non-fiction author, and very grateful for good reviews and accolades for my first book. I do consider I’ve achieved a level of success just by being published and accepted within my genre. It is a measurable goal reached. Certainly not resting on my laurels though! They’re pretty skimpy laurels at this point. I want lush greenery to cushion me and that will take much more effort and lots of practice. More published books and the elusive fiction genre pursuit. We all have different definitions of success and my big one is to have a novel in the world that is well received and sells respectably.
I’m under no illusion that one book will set the world on fire or make me wealthy. The small steps towards my goals also feel like little pieces of success and I’m happy with those. I have a second business book due to be released this month, which has taken my energy. After that, I won’t have any excuse not to practice my fiction. Thanks for the entertaining and thought-provoking post.
Thank you, Deborah, I love your definition of success. I also love your realistic attitude about the wealth and fame (or lack thereof) that comes to most authors.
Your point about the “small successes” is also great . . . I have no doubt that all of your small successes are actually quite huge, especially when they are pieced together. Best of luck with your upcoming release.
:)
A lovely post, thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Maria! Happy writing to you.
:)
Thanks Sarah for another thoughtful post.
I believe writerly successes comes in all shapes and sizes–little successes, like finding just the right words for that stubborn sentence. Bigger successes, like having a story accepted. But there’s also finding another great author as a mentor, or a craft technique that makes your writing breathe or sizzle. In fact, just being able to combine words into something that may connect you with someone is, pure and simple, success.
Oh yes! My writing partner had a memoir published in 2008. She just got an email from a reader who went on and on about how my friend’s memoir saved her life. Talk about a success!
Thank you for the reminder that connection (in my opinion) is the secret sauce of happiness and peace.
If I may, KB, comment on one of your points. Practice is certainly worthy but ‘practice makes perfect,’ that old saw has been proven wrong plenty of times. As an editor I’ve seen writers fail repeatedly because they don’t see their errors. A writer can practice, practice, practice writing and be committed and determined as all hell and still not become a good writer or a successful one. It’s making mistakes and examining those mistakes that really gets you over the line to mastery of your craft . What are the specifics of the mistake? What is the causes of the mistake? What are the solutions to the mistake? I think learning about your weaknesses as a writer and fixing that is the key to mastery… at least in terms of the craft of writing.
I like your note on your blog about calling on “inner strength.” We all need that inner strength to honestly see our mistakes and reconcile them.
So true, Paula. I have had writing partners and clients whose work I edit who are stubborn in their unwillingness to consider the constructive feedback of others. Of course, my suggestions may not be palatable to the writer, and that is fine, but it’s clear when writers simply will not listen to suggestions.
It makes me think that “listening” may be a key to improving one’s craft and skill. Thank you for sharing that perspective!
Sarah, I’ve been traveling for two days and my brain is bollixed like your neighbor in the 9-foot-hole, so I don’t have an insightful response to your good gravy here other than to say thank you. Steadily growing in wisdom and craft, employing humility and generosity, and not shooting the neighbors: all fine things.
I did not shoot the neighbors, Tom (at least, nothing more harmful than a few dirty looks).
I hope your brain has come out of its hole! Our temps have returned to normal; thus, so too has my sanity. A close call!
Outstanding post! Thanks for sharing this, Sarah:)
keep going.
Thank you, Pimion. And you keep going, too. The older I get, the more I see that simple tenacity is one of the most important things to keep in my pocket. At all times.
Happy writing!
I’ve struggled with the idea of success after my single successful book on Amazon, which was nonfiction (medical humor, ‘The Most Unfeeling Doctor in the World’). What did it mean, if novels I’d poured my energy and soul into hardly sold and that one book hit the bestseller list?
In the end, I had to detach myself from it and say, “I’m glad they like that book. Stories are stories” and leave it there.
You have to love the work. Just like parenting. No one will ever give you a gold star for writing, not really. The work itself is the reward. People love things they can count, those millions, but in the end, you’re the one creating the gold stars for yourself.
I agree with your last comment about the stars. Very well-said.
Beautiful, Melissa! And don’t you find that so much of one’s “success” seems to be based on timing? I guess we can get grumpy about bad timing, but there’s nothing we can really do to control it . . . which brings us back to your point: love the writing; love the work.
Thank you! And congratulations on your success. :)
Sarah, definitely don’t go to Arizona or come to Texas. Way too hot here. LOL
I really enjoyed reading your blog post and so much of it resonated with me. I, too, juggled writing, kids, and so many other things when I started out and had to learn to practice patience and loving. And I absolutely loved your statement “Writing is a craft we must practice, not a science we can master.” If we are never evolving as writers then we get stale. Sometimes I go back and look at old manuscripts just for reassurance that I am indeed practicing as much as I need to.
Gosh, I love what you said about going back to your own writing. It’s so easy for us to cringe at our previous work . . . but it is absolutely proof of our growth, progress and practice.
Thank you for your empathy and your wise words!