Happy IWSG Day! (Find more inspiration on the IWSG Facebook page)
Today I'm reflecting. I'm going to talk about the various stages of an author's life in this day and age as I've experienced them up to now...Perseverance is key!
- New writer gets a story idea - I can do that! Writing is fun!
- New writer boldly sends samples for critiques on writing websites - I stink! I need help!
- Writer goes to conferences, takes classes, gets critique partners, enters contests
- Now writer has more positive feedback - I'm not so bad! I think I'm ready to find an agent or publisher!
- Writer discovers she needs to write query letters, synopsis, bios, blurbs - I can do that!
- Writer gets no feedback or rejections galore - I stink! No one likes me.
- Take heart dear writer! Don't give up! Someone will click with your writing!
- Writer gets request for full! Writer gets offer! - I am talented! I don't stink!
But though that's a happy ending, it's only the beginning of our story...
- Writer edits, decides on cover, edits some more
- Release day! All friends and family buy book. Yay!
- The day after release day and forever more! Marketing & Promotion. I find this stage to be the hardest part! But we carry on and we keep writing! What else would we do?
Perseverance is
getting on the bus after
being doused with mud.
Perseverance is
singing the next verse after
cracking on the first.
Perseverance is
writing the next book after
getting bad reviews.
Perseverance is
trying again and again
until it's done right!
I know that if I ever get there, that I'll really struggle with marketing and promotion. But I'm going to do my best to tackle it head on.
ReplyDeleteLove the haiku.
I always have to remember that I'm writing this crap mostly for me. Everything else, although difficult, is still just icing.
ReplyDeleteWe just keep going.
Heather
So true! I have to remind myself of this every day. Happy Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteIt can be a long and twisty road to publication which I understand only continues afterwards as you try to market and promote. Exhausting but worth it!
ReplyDeleteI find myself saying, "I stink!" more often than not, hahaha.
ReplyDeleteGreat poem, Tara!
Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
Basically, writing is hard. It is ongoing. It is a marathon, not a sprint. If you don't love it, don't do it.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds about right!
ReplyDeletePerseverance is also continuing with the song even after striking the wrong note.
Perseverance! You are so right. We had a programme called Record Breakers over here and the theme went 'Dedication is what you need'. Your post has put it in my head!
ReplyDeleteOh this is great. I think you hit a stage for every writer, no matter where they're at. It sure is a see saw of emotions sometimes, isn't it!
ReplyDeleteI love those haikus (did I ever tell you I grew up in a town that is haiku spelled backwards?)
ReplyDeleteAlso, perseverance is EVERYTHING in writing. Then again, I"m one of the crazies who would absolutely do it even if I wasn't published and would never be published (but if I knew, I'd probably go self pub, tricksy future with all of its not-knowing and stuff).
True, true, gotta keep at it.
ReplyDelete.....dhole
Never giving up is always the key. Quitters never know what they could have achieved.
ReplyDeletePerseverance really DOES make a huge difference in all walks of life.
ReplyDeleteLoved your message about not giving up, Tara. How fitting for your IWSG post. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Poppleganger .. love your Haikus .. and the journey it's taking everyone on ...
ReplyDeleteKeep on keeping on .. cheers Hilary
Sounds spot-on, Tara. Love your perseverance haiku. Just gotta keep moving forward, even if it's baby steps :)
ReplyDeleteWow. Perseverance is hard to uphold, but I like your examples. Makes one stop and think when one gets ones panties in a wad! Ha ha! The mud on the bus one was such a visual that it really hit home for me. Thanks Tara! Came over from Left and Write, and IWSG...
ReplyDeleteThat last part never ends and it's like pushing water up a hill. Perseverance is what we need more than anything else.
ReplyDeleteNice picker upper poetry. :)
ReplyDeleteOh yes. All of those are definitely perseverance!
ReplyDeletePerseverance rules!
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Tara!
Thanks for the inspiration.
Happy Writing!
Such an inspiring post! You can do it!
ReplyDeletePerseverance is always the key to success. the rest will fall into place. Just take things one step at a time so you're not overwhelmed. We all have faith in you.
ReplyDeleteWord. I'm not 100% sure I have talent or was even meant to be a writer, but I am 100% sure my stubborn, mulish self can persevere till the sky falls. ;)
ReplyDeleteI will persevere, but the question is whether I'll prosper! :) Great little post and cool poem. X
ReplyDeleteshahwharton.com
Thanks for the reminder Tara!
ReplyDeletePerseverance... perseverance... perseverance...
Oh my gosh Tara. I'm so glad I scrolled down to read this because you and I were on the exact same wavelength for IWSG! Thanks for the poem - it's awesome and we WILL persevere!!
ReplyDelete