Good morning one and all. It is May 17th and I am glad you had the time to stop by on this Friday.
I was watching a video the other day of an interview with James Taylor. I know, I know, he’s a singer and not a writer, but hang with me and I’ll get to the point shortly.
He was saying that back in 1963 he was a struggling singer/songwriter who was going nowhere fast. He was playing back alley clubs and taverns and had no real prospects for a future. He knew he loved his music but he simply could not see making it in that business.
A friend of a friend mentioned that he send his music to some guy who had recently signed a contract with the Beatles to do some promotional work for them. So this guy listens to a track of Taylor’s work and signs him to a contract like overnight…..and fifty years later he is still a household name in the world of entertainment.
What does that have to do with writers? Well think about it! I don’t know if any of us has the talent to make it big in writing, or art, or some other artistic endeavor. I do know that fame rarely happens overnight. The life of a writer is a life of obscurity and hard work. It is a life of laboring in the shadows, often times without praise or encouragement. Recognition for our work may never come, or if it does it may not come for years. We must be patient and pay our dues. I would hate to think that any of you give up before your big moment arrives.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.”
Napoleon Hill
Thank you Mr. Hill and truer words were never written. Hard work….a refusal to give up….and a belief in oneself….those are the inner traits that make a writer successful….that and a modicum of talent of course.
I have read books by authors who were sorely lacking in talent and yet they were published. I am convinced that a writer or artist has to be in the right place at the right time so that opportunity will knock, but you have to pay your dues for that to happen and then….when opportunity does knock….you had better open that door and grab it as quickly as possible. You may only get one shot at it!
TIP OF THE DAY
What do you think it is? To borrow from Winston Churchill….never give up!
If writing is your passion then you have to be strong and determined. If writing is your dream then you must be willing to press forward despite the odds.
I have had people write to me, writers who have only been doing this writing thing for several months, and they ask me why they aren’t receiving more view on their writings. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Several months? Get a grip on reality, folks. There have been countless famous writers who have labored for five, seven, ten years before being recognized. Several months????
SITE OF THE DAY
For fantasy writers out there, I give you Fantasy.org. There you will find like-minded writers of the fantasy genre. You will also find writing challenges, contests and a forum.
CONTEST OF THE DAY
Fantasy Fiction Writing Contest can be found here. Better hurry, though, because the deadline is June 1st.
WRITER OF THE DAY
Let me introduce you to a dear friend…in fact, I call her my Kindred spirit because she is an essayist like me who exposes her heart in every piece…her name is Linda and you can find her on HP here.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
Well? Anything? Has your mind been jostled a bit? Has your creativity come alive with this picture?
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND
Yes, I am taking the weekend off, and you should too. All work and no play makes Bill a very testy individual. I hope you all have a great weekend and thank you for stopping by.
Bill
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Loved your advice today and sure glad James Taylor listened to this advice, too, because he really is a wonderful singer/writer!! And I am so with you on taking the weekend off and truly think you are onto something with it. Definitely enjoy your weekend and I promise to do the same 🙂
Janine, I need the weekends. I do some commenting on weekends but I don’t write a word and I need that rest….my brain threatens to go on strike if I don’t stop on Saturday. 🙂 Have a great one my friend.
Stories like James Taylors’ keep me going!
Me too, Lizzy! I just have to remain patient and work hard. 🙂
Weekends…I need to make these sacred again. 🙂 I’m looking forward to summer where I’ll really be able to do that, lol. Love your words here.
Thanks Cyndi! I made the decision a month ago that writing needed to be put on hold for weekends and I think it has made me a better writer during the week. I am much more refreshed on Mondays.
Have a great weekend and get out there and have fun.
Thank you for the encouragement! I really like James Taylor and enjoyed that anecdote!
My pleasure, Lurana, and thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Somehow being reminded about being patient in writing in black and white often, makes me feel good. Gives me hope. Thanks Bill, I know it’s something we should all know by now, but please keep reminding us about it here because we (well, I) need to be reminded of it often. Have a wonderful Sunday! 🙂
Mel, it is something we all need reminding about. We want success…I understand that, and I’m not immune…..but….the success may be slow in coming and we have to sign on for the long haul. 🙂