Welcome back this last week of January. I’m sure many of you reading this are quite ready for winter to end. As for us on the west coast, this was the winter that wasn’t. Soon, and I mean soon if this weather continues, it will be time to start the garden……sheez, I’m not ready for that!
Let’s talk about instant gratification today. So many people want it. We want to laugh immediately when watching a comedy. We want our burger and fries immediately when at a fast food restaurant. We want instant success as a writer, yes? We write an article and want hundreds to read it that same day. We write a book and want a publisher to knock on our door offering us five figures for a bonus signing.
Nope, doesn’t happen!
Success in writing is a methodical process. You have to slowly build your platform and you have to keep improving, all the while the voice screams inside your head that you are wasting your time and what an idiot you are.
Well you aren’t an idiot….you are a writer.
If you have been writing for some time now, say one, two or three years, think back to when you first started. Can you see the progress you have made? My goodness I can. I can’t believe how far I have come in three years. Over 400,000 views…a novel….several other ebooks….one novel ¾ done…two others waiting in the wings….oh my goodness yes, progress has been made.
Have I been approached by a traditional publisher yet? No, but that just means my time hasn’t arrived for that milestone yet….yet….so I keep writing, keep improving, keep doing the things that are necessary so that I will, eventually, be approached by an agent or publisher.
You have to pay your dues in this business; there is no other way.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“All life demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life. The very striving and hard work that we so constantly try to avoid is the major building block in the person we are today.”
Pope Paul VI
TIP OF THE DAY
Make one new contact today…set a goal to make one new contact each week. A peer in the writing business, a new agent, a new bookstore owner…someone who might be a valuable contact in your future. It’s all part of building your writing platform.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
You know what to do. Give me 200 words based on this picture. I know you can do it.
CONTEST OF THE DAY
The Erma Bombeck Writing Competition is accepting entries now through February 17th. You can read all about it here.
SUGGESTION OF THE DAY
If you have your own blog may I suggest that you highlight a new writer each week? Spread the love and the love will come back to you.
MORE ON THURSDAY
My goodness gracious this has been a productive day. I hope it has been for you as well. I’ll see you in a couple days. Until then, keep writing and await your turn for success.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Perfectly said and we all have to just pay our dues in this field. I have no doubt I will be saying that I knew you when soon enough, my friend! Have a great day once again 🙂
Janine, I feel the same about you…we’ll celebrate each other’s success. 🙂 Thank you!
Such wise words Bill. Yes, we just ought to wait patiently for our turn 🙂
I liked how you mentioned to put a blogger in highlight. Will do so.
have a great day!
Thank you Ruchira….I love it when writers help each other. 🙂
Here a high of 76 today, 50 tomorrow. Weirdest winter weather ever. Your chickens are probably happy that it hasn’t gotten too cold, though!
Hey Lizzy! They seem to be happy….I don’t know how much credit I want to give them as far as intelligence. LOL Good to hear from you Dyanmo….hope all is well.
I like the idea of making one new contact per week. I’ve been doing that via writers groups. Now it’s time to reach out to potential clients. Making one contact per week is less daunting and very doable. Thanx, Bill!
Very doable, Sha! I know you can do it. 🙂 Thanks for always being here.
Silly man, I’m always here for you just as you are for me. BTW, I’m currently working on chapter 7 of The Gifts of Faith. The story is coming much quicker to me it seems! Yay! 🙂
Yay for sure, Sha! You go, girl!
Indeed, you have to pay your dues in anything you do. 🙂 There is no get-rich-quick scheme that ever worked: even lotto winners end up with nothing more often than not.
Good day! We had a snowday today, so I’m getting caught up on a few things and wanted to swing by and say hi. 🙂
Hi.
And yes, my dues? I LOVE writing and it will always be integral to teaching and tutoring and everything else I do. 🙂 Though this journey has been very, very interesting. Now that I’m just about finished with this Masters (I’ll come out of my academic cave in May…and then just one class after that next fall) and I know this is the journey I’m supposed to be on. I was “lost” for awhile. But, I had to take some detours to realize teaching is my passion. And I picked up some hobbies and skills along the way. 😉
Cyndi, it’s all a learning experience. Everything you did got you to this point, and this point is where you were meant to be. Enjoy the journey my friend….and thank you for your friendship.
One of those posts I really needed today–thanks Bill. Will the dues ever end?? LOL
As for the prompt picture, I usually concede, but I felt some words for this one:
He was dead when he the doors swung open. The music was low behind the many playing poker at the tables. He was dead, but they all saw him. He strolled to his usual table and glared at the youngster sitting in his normal chair. The blood of rage rushed to his head, but how, cause he was dead.
He took the chair he knew he shouldn’t. All eyes were upon him as he folded and folded. The next hand was dealt; two kings and two eights. The pot was matched and he drew one for glory. The eight of diamonds shined in all its true glory as the gunshot rang wild.
His head hit the table where the pot turned red. Yes, it was true…He was dead.
Greg, I love it. Well done my friend…..you must be a writer! 🙂
Who me????? LOL
Yup, no shortcuts in this line of business, that’s for sure! Last year was tough… the first of any job/career always is. I thought I was going NOWHERE slowly. But now, looking back… I see a hell of a lot of progress, even if it may seem small – even to me – it’s a huge achievement. Great post!
It is a huge achievement, Mel, and one to be proud of. Slow but steady wins the race my friend.
Instant gratification. When did our society learn to base everything on this?! I lied your idea of making one new contact let adj. I think that is a great goal and one I can do! Thank you!
Randi, I don’t know when that practice started but I see more of it with each passing year….too bad, really. Thank you and good luck with those contacts.