Hopefully, over the last three weekends you’ve gotten off to a great start. See, the secret to success as a writer is no secret at all. You have to commit, start and keep going. It’s not easy but is sure is simple.
There will be times when you simply can’t write. No worries. Take care of whatever life is throwing at you. But, don’t stay on that street. Get back on course and pick up where you left off.
Most novels on the bookstore shelves are there simply because their authors kept writing after others gave up. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Unfortunately, most writers don’t take that advice. Here are a few of the top reasons authors’ efforts get derailed:
They lose heart. They listen to voices—internal and external—that tell them they are wasting their time. When that happens, they just abandon their pursuits.
They become discouraged. This particularly happens when they get a negative report, critique or feedback. Those are almost entirely subjective and yet, writers pin their hopes on positive reinforcement.
They get bored. Rather than doing a fast draft from start to finish, they write and rewrite a few chapters. Sooner rather than later, they are so tired of their own story, they just can’t stomach any more of it.
They get stuck. They don’t know what to do or where to go in their story. Blank screen syndrome grabs them by the fingers and they are hypnotized by the blinking cursor on their laptop.
They compare themselves to others. Biggest mistake a writer can make. That’s worse than head-hopping, changing POV’s or run on sentences. Nothing will send your writing career to an earlier grave than comparison. Why? No matter who you are, there is ALWAYS a better writer. ALWAYS! Compare and you sign your career death warrant.
Look. Just write it. Write your story, your way and in your own voice. Let the market take care of itself. Hone your craft and keep living your dream. You simply must. Otherwise, the bookstore shelves will be empty!
Have you been derailed in your dream of being a published author? How did you overcome it? Share it here!
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Reba J. Hoffman is a natural encourager and Member Care Coach at My Book Therapy. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Counseling and is the founder of Magellan Life Coaching (www.magellanlifecoaching.com). She is the author of Dare to Dream, a Writer’s Journal published by My Book Therapy. She also publishes a motivational and encouraging blog, FindingTrue North. Contact Reba at reba@magellanlifecoaching.com.