Photo Credit: Ross Hong Kong/Creative Commons
If you’ve been writing for any length of time, you’ve grown accustomed to hearing words like thick-skinned. Tough-as-nails. Not-for-the-fainthearted. Resilient.
We may not like their connotation, but unless we approach our craft with a realistic mindset, those words can propel us forward or freeze us in our tracks.
Writers on the publishing journey understand that the road is long and labor-intensive. Still, it doesn’t mean that we don’t tire of the yo-yo effect (the up and down highs and lows that accompany our journey) or that we ever get used to the amount of work it takes to arrive.
And for Pollyannas (the “glad game” folks) and Cinderellas (believers in the fairy-tale), the journey may seem especially out of whack. We work hard, study our craft, and think we understand what’s required only to realize that we still have a lot to learn.
It’s far from the charmed life we initially envisioned.
It takes more heart, more stamina, and more courage than we ever dreamed possible.
It sometimes hurts.
And yet…it excites and inspires.
We place every scrap of newfound knowledge in our writing bank and anticipate the pay-off. Our “pay-off” might come by way of affirmation–the praise from a critique partner, an agent call, a publishing contract, or a well-timed surprise that makes our toes tingle. And it’s the hope that begs us to press on.
When I’m sitting down at my keyboard, I steer clear of the negative. I keep things light and happy with Post-it notes of scriptures scattered about in my office. I whip out my “writer courageous” cape and wear it for good measure. (Yes. I really have one. It’s my Nana’s sweater that she wore about 25 years ago. It’s a source of joy and it brings me comfort. Her sweater also gives me courage on those days where I feel less than my best. Nana knew my aspiration was writing novels one day.)
As writers, I think it’s important we discover those go-to cues that bring us courage and rally us to the cause.
We can’t be Suzy Sunshine all the time (drat!), but we can choose ways to limit the clouds:
- Think in the NOW
- Pray over fears
- Fine-tune goals
- Develop a plan
- Envision success
- Share with a friend
When we’re anticipating our journey and not dwelling on the road it takes to “get there,” our mindsets shift. We’re no longer afraid of the trip, but excited about the possibilities.
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What’s something that gives you courage?
What do you know NOW that you wish you’d known sooner?
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Tweetables:
A Dose of Courage for Your Writing Journey (Click to Tweet)
This Takes More Heart, Stamina, and Courage Than You’d Ever Dreamed Possible (Click to Tweet)
Photo Credit: Ross Hong Kong/Creative Commons
Happy Friday and Blessings Always,
Comments 11
Writer Courageous! I very much love that. I try to be Suzy Sunshine, but I rarely feel so sunny inside, I love worry 🙂 I wish I would have extended more grace to myself when I was younger. Glad retrospect finally caught up with me.
Love the blog! I continuously wonder what I was thinking when I started the journey. 😛 But I love it! Wouldn’t know how to quit.
Maybe you should add “diehard” to your list of words.
Susan
Good critique partners always encourage which in turn gives me courage!
Author
Jess, for some reason I thought of Carol Burnett’s Tarzan call when I read your comment! Two thumbs up for super critique partners!
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Susan, “diehard” is an absolutely awesome word! I’m with you–quitting isn’t an option for writers. Thrilled to have you here today!
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Lisa, ahhh…worrying is one of the biggies I used to have trouble with. Still do on occasion. I don’t know if it was a coming-of-age thing for me or the fact that our family had a near death experience with one of our children, but I’ve learned to put things into better perspective now (only by the grace of God, I might add). And gal, YOU are my sunshine!
Writing does take courage. Discouragement, doubts, and disappointments threaten to take us down. Fear messes with our heads. At times like those, I remind myself that I can choose which voices I listen to. I pray that the Lord will help me silence those that want to bring me down, focus on those of my characters instead, and replace fear with fun.
What gives me courage to go on is when I read my work, it’s good, and I forget that I was the one who wrote it. I come away with, “I wrote that?? I WROTE THAT!!” Makes me press on.
Great post, Cindy.
Author
Loree, don’t you love those goosebump moments?! I think that’s God’s way of encouraging us.
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Keli, I’ve come to realize that the enemy is always at work just waiting to disillusion and destroy. It’s important to keep a constant prayer on our tongues.
I love that you have a super-hero cape. 🙂 What comfort your Nana’s sweater must bring. The fellowship and direction of my writers group is priceless.
Author
Patti, everyone should have a super-hero cape (or a focal point, favorite keepsake, etc.) that inspires and brings them comfort.
And you’re right–there’s nothing like a well-oiled machine (aka writer’s group) to keep us humming! =)
I love everything about this post, Cynthia. Well said–and well done. Now to go and find a cloak!
Author
Kathleen, thank you! And you can borrow my spare!