Recently I signed my third book contract in a little
more than a year. It took me a bit to realize that the most important thing I
can do as a writer is to write consistently. This has become my motto, no matter what, write! That’s why I am
where I am. I keep at it and I don’t quit.
I started my fourth novel and was having a problem
connecting to the new storyline and characters. It seemed all kinds of things
arose to keep me from my story—self doubts, busyness, writer’s block, laziness;
but I knew from experience there is one thing that will work for me: no matter what, write!
I kept writing even though I didn’t feel the story
yet, didn’t feel like doing it, couldn’t get my brain around it. But here’s
what happened. I kept at it and one day suddenly one character says to another,
“You’re the one that sees through walls…” and instantly this character got real
to me--then the story settled down in my head.
I firmly believe that just keep working is the best
advice we as writers can follow. Just stick with the thing and it will work
out. You’ll see; that idea will become a rough, will become a second draft, and
then will become a contract. If you get a rejection, just keep writing. If you
get a contract, just keep writing.
Don’t quit. Keep working! It’s not really about how talented
you are, but whether you’re up for the fight!
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