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Writers Need This Quality To Reach Publication

If I had to pick one characteristic that I think is most important in helping writers make it to publication (particularly traditional publication), I’d have to say PERSEVERANCE. Yes, creativity, talent, skill, passion, learning, and growing are all essential too. However, we can have all the others, but without perseverance—especially in today’s tight market—we’ll likely let our discouragement trick us into giving up too soon.

This past fall, I had the opportunity to go out to lunch with some writer friends when I was in Toledo, Ohio for a book signing. During the course of lunch, we got to lamenting the lengthiness of all the waiting writers have to do. One of the ladies, Jill Kemerer, shared her discouragement over the length of time she’d been seriously pursuing publication, querying, and waiting for an agent or editor to take an interest in her stories and writing. She’d been working hard at it for years.

As we talked, we skirted around the unspoken question, “How long should a writer keep on trying before calling it quits?” I’d had the privilege to read some of Jill’s writing and knew how talented she was. In fact, she’d already had one agent ask for the full of her book. Even so, I couldn’t presume to know what would be best for her future. But I encouraged her to keep on trying.

Only a few short weeks later, I opened my inbox to find the kind of email that makes your heart stop for an instant then stutter forward at twice the speed. It was from Jill and the title said: “Good news!!” In her email she went on to say, “I just got an e-mail from Rachel Kent of Books & Such. She loved my book! She wants to have a phone conversation with me next Wednesday to discuss the possibility of representing me!!!!”

And now, after years of working hard, waiting expectantly, and persevering through discouragement, Jill is officially represented by agent, Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary, a highly reputed agency. What would have happened if Jill had given up a year ago, six months ago, or even that lunch date when I’d sensed her deep discouragement?

The lesson for all of us is that the path to traditional publication is especially rough. And often, perseverance is what separates the wannabe published from the successfully published.

But what is perseverance, exactly? And how can we make it work for us? Here are my thoughts on the main ingredients of PERSEVERANCE:

*Dreaming: We need to picture ourselves as published authors. Envision it. See the future. Toss away doubts. And embrace the dream whole-heartedly.

*Believing: Let the picture of being published take reality in our minds. Have the confidence to know we can do whatever we set our hearts to do.

*Planning: Establish realistic goals. Make a writing schedule. Read a couple of “how-to” books. Give our imagination space to create the story.

*Working: Plant our butt in a chair. Keep it in the chair. And make our fingers move over the keyboard until the day’s goal is met.

*Persisting: Stick to the plan. Write when sick or tired. Write when distracted, lazy, sad, and discouraged. Write when the words flow or when they trickle.

*Enduring: When we feel like giving up, don’t. When we’re sure we’ll never get a step further, keep walking. And when feel like our dreams are crashing down around us, start the perseverance process all over again.

Will there ever come a time in a writer’s life when they should quit? I think each of us has to decide that on an individual basis depending on our unique situations. However, I don’t think we should make the decision to quit based on the discouragement of the moment or the hardship of the situation. It’s much easier to quit when the going gets rough. That’s our natural inclination—to go for the easy, painless way.

But usually, real growth happens during the most painful times. We can let the difficulties motivate us to learn more, work harder, and keep growing. It’s by persevering through the long distance run that we can come out stronger on the other side. And it's only by sticking with it, that we'll be able to finally reach our destination.

What about you? Have you ever been tempted to give up because it seems too hard? What do you tell yourself to help you keep going?

39 comments:

  1. Great post as always, Jody! And, Jill, if you are reading this...CONGRATS!!! How exciting! I'm Sarah's mom. You met Sarah at Jody's signing and talked w/her. She thought you were very encouraging. Since she isn't online much b/c of cosmetology school, I'll have to tell her to read this! Congrats again, Jill!

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  2. Wonderful advice as always Jody. I've almost given up several times, but I keep telling myself that it doesn't hurt to try. Well, maybe my pride, but then all the stories I hear authors give about finding the right person..well, it gives me hope that I'm merely on a search. Good thing is that I have a lot of friends to help me along the way, so I'm not alone. Thanks, FRIEND!!!!

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  3. You are so right. I believe in what you say, wholeheartedly. It's the writers who are willing to put in the work on the good days and the bad, who believe (most of the time) that they CAN do it, and who will dream of the day when their planning, hard work and peristence will pay off. I MUST believe in this.

    Thanks for this encouraging post, Jody. And Jill... A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to you! I'm so thrilled for your accomplishment. I can't wait to see what happens for you on this journey.

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  4. Very well put. And so true. I worked for many, many years before I published. All the rejections (the file is very thick) faded away when I sold. So here's a shout out to aspiring authors . . . hang in there. The best is yet to come. :)

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  5. I tell myself to keep going because that's the only way I'll ever get to see my writing out there in the world, to share with those willing to read it.

    And I've got too many people eager to read what I've written to give up now.

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  6. Great post and I am glad to know that all the time I imagine having a career as a novelist is necessary to the process!

    I don't think I will ever give up writing. I have spent most of my life writing stories only I would read. It is almost as much a part of me as breathing.

    I haven't ventured into the black hole of querying yet, but I am near the edge. I hope I will have enough perseverance ( and thick skin) to accomplish my goal.

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  7. Such an inspiring post, Jody. But OH MY GOSH, how did I miss that Jill is represented now?! That is so cool, and I'm running to congratulate her now!

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  8. This brought me to tears (yes, I have a little sap in me) but I've watched Jill make this journey. I've walked with her as her critique partner and her friend. I've had long phone conversations with her in deep discussion about the industry and sticking with it.

    I'm so deeply full of joy for her!

    I also relate with your sentence about growth during painful times. Waiting can be hard, but I'm learning so much about myself and about my God.

    Love this post!!!
    ~ Wendy

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  9. Not seriously, but in the down cycles, I've considered, why am I doing this?

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  10. I am so thrilled for Jill:)) I have seen her work hard on many of her books.

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  11. I'm so happy for Jill. I agree that perseverance is definitely one of the toughest parts!

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  12. I did quite the happy dance when I heard Jill's news. She's a wonderful example of perseverance I hope I have reason to dance on her behalf again soon--when she makes her First Sale.

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  13. I also think it is important to realize that you would still keep writing even if you were never published. Once you know that writing is something you are, not just something you do, then being represented and published is just a reward you get for doing what you love and not the end goal.

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  14. Over my long life I've never given up with writing. I've always written something! So I'm 70 before I get a book published. Doesn't matter. It's the journey that's most important.
    Ann

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  15. Yay for Jill! I have found that perserverance and waiting is much easier if as writers we diversify our talents. Get involved in other areas of writing like teaching, mentoring, helping others set up their blogs and websites, volunteer at conferences, and lots of other things. I believe being a writer is more than just sitting at a computer. Being involved in every aspect of writing keeps it all in perspective.

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  16. Sierra and Ann, GREAT points!! When we love writing, we'd keep doing it anyway, even if we don't get published. :-)

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  17. I am SO tempted to give up. Not becuase of tons of rejection but just the juggle of time. Lack of sleep getting up early to write, writing over lunch breaks, and trying to write a paragraph here and there makes me feel disconnected from my book. BUT I SHALL NOT QUIT!! Your post encouraged me today, my dear. :)

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  18. Hi Jody and All,
    Thanks for this post. I believe that Perseverance combined with Passion keeps us going. If you don't absolutely love what you're doing you'll lose momentum and want to quit when the going gets really tough. It's hard enough.

    And you are so right about the perseverance issue. We have to keep pressing on if it's that important to us. Time is always an issue and we all must find our way. I like Ephesians 5:16: Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days.

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  19. Thanks for this post, Jody. It's easy to get discouraged on the path to publication. I think having writer friends and critique partners and visiting writer blogs really helps. It shows us that with that perseverance you talked about, you can eventually make it. Jill's news was such an encouragement. She's a fabulous writer and kept trying despite the long journey. Congrats again to Jill. And thanks again for this post, Jody!

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  20. That's so great that Jill didn't give up! I agree, perseverance is necessary--even crucial. It's easy to give up. I've thought of giving up, and actually did for 10 years while I was a single mom (other things were more important too, then). But when I had opportunity and free time again, I leaped back into it with renewed vigor. I just love to write too much to quit for good!

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  21. I think patience goes right along with perseverance and I don't think I would ever quit, but I might take breaks from it.

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  22. Thanks for this encouragement, Jody, and congratulations to Jill.

    Some journey's are longer than others. If you stop before reaching the destination it may be because you weren't that interested in getting there, or the roadblocks were too great, or you questioned the route you'd chosen. Whatever the deterrent, cutting the trip short guarantees you'll never see the sights that may have been around the next corner.

    (And kudos to Jan Cline for recognizing that being a writer means more than waiting for a novel contract.)

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  23. Jody, your encouragement has been very important to me. And to be honest, your success has inspired me many times. I know how hard you work and the sacrifices you make because you are committed to being a great writer--not just a published writer. I appreciate you so much.

    Deanna, I remember you! Thanks for your kind words!

    And a huge thank you to everyone who has wished me well! I feel very blessed! Thank you!

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  24. I couldn't agree more, Jody-girl. :)

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  25. Could I ask a question of you or another blogger? If you've found your critique partners online, how did you go about finding good matches? Would somebody be willing to write a post answering this question? This is not an avenue I've explored yet, and I desperately need some critique partners. That's where I'm at with my perseverance!

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  26. I think we're on the same page lately, Jody! I've been writing very similar posts since I got my contract. It is SO easy to get discouraged when you hear of other people getting agents or contracts - ugh. I always said if my day ever came, when my dream came true and I became a published author, I'd do all I could to give back, encourage those aspiring authors who are ready to pitch everything into the nearest dumpster. My day finally came, and I am here to encourage. I was definitely tempted to give up, many, many times. I kept going through the encouragement of others, who saw more in me than I did.

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  27. Yay Jill! I'm inspired by your story. I'm waiting for news and it is discouraging but stories like this always assure me there is light at the end of the tunnel. great post.

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  28. How funny! I saw your Twitter post - one quality writers need - and I thought, "I don't know what Jody will say, but I say perseverance." And there it was - perseverance. I've seen many writers waaaaaaay more talented than I who aren't published. They didn't persevere.

    And I'm so happy for Jill! Rachel's my agent too, and I adore her.

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  29. Jill asked: If you've found your critique partners online, how did you go about finding good matches? Would somebody be willing to write a post answering this question?

    My Answer: Hi Jill. Great question. And actually I've had others ask this question. So I'd love to do a blog post about it, perhaps after the Thanksgiving holidays. I'll do my best to tackle the subject then! But anyone else, feel free to chime in with your thoughts now if you want!

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  30. Great post Jody, and I couldn't agree more. Perseverance is key, and I expect it is for those who are published as well.

    I did give up once. I'd been writing for about eight years, submitting my work for maybe four of them and getting some encouraging responses from editors, when I was diagnosed with cancer. I was treated and cured in about 9 months time, but I had a lingering side effect of chemo fog that kept me struggling to write for the next five years. I gave up a couple of times in those five years, but something always drew me back to try again. April of 2004 was the last time I decided to give it one more try, with a new project. As of spring of 2010, that finished novel caught the attention of an agent, who now represents me. And I'm starting to see that waiting is part of this journey whatever point we're at. While I wait I keep writing more stories, thankful more than anything that the fog finally cleared and that I CAN write again. The journey began in 1991, so I do understand about perseverance.

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  31. That's what separates the "goods" from the "greats" it seems in all areas of life. :O)

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  32. Hi Jody -

    Can you believe it? I wrote a post this morning about hanging onto your vision. (It will run in a few weeks.)

    Congrats to Jill!

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  33. Congratulations to Jill. How wonderful.

    I cannot give up. If I do, I let myself down. Too many people have let me down in my life. I am not prepared to be one of them. ;0

    I wish everyone in the writing world, a truly lovely writing day. :)

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  34. When I heard Jill's news, it made my day. I've heard it said that the only difference between the pros and all the rest is that the pros didn't give up.

    The way I see it, I'm writing anyway and I'd be writing even if I wasn't pursuing publication. It doesn't hurt me at all to keep trying!

    Thanks for the inspiration

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  35. Congrats to Jill! I'm sure your encouragement meant a lot to her, Jody.

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  36. Great reminder! Thanks for this post, Jody. And congratulations Jill!

    Amy

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  37. Wonderful post that I am sure will give other writers hope.

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  38. Way to go, Jill! Perseverance is a very admirable quality with it's"never give up" mantrat. If I am to be a role model to my children-who want to be professional athletes someday- what example would I set if I gave up my writing after only 10 year? It will take them 15+ years to reach their goals. Keep on keeping on, I say.

    Great post, Jody and, again, way to go Jill! Consider me inspired! :)

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