Following
Your Dream by
I’m not sure when the true bug to be published bit me, but
once it did, I took writing classes, tried to joining a local writing
group(they ended up being all poets and not helping my fiction writing), and
eventually connected with Romance Writers of America.
The hardest part about being a writer is first believing in
yourself and your craft. Anyone, be they a writer, an artist, a musician, not
only have to learn how to do the art form they love, they have to be able to
convey feelings, and paint pictures with words and music that others can
resonate with.
Once the craft is learned, and you believe in your work, you
have to put that work out there for others to purchase and enjoy. You also need
to surround yourself with people who encourage your writing, people who hold
you accountable for the best work you can do, and people who believe in you.
Never let the naysayers or jealousy pull you down. If you
are surrounded by the right people, your creativity will soar and you will be
able to follow your dream of creating a literary or creative life.
Places you can connect with Paty:
Maggie Jaimeson - Take a Vacation
Jessa Slade - Get Organized
Paty Jager - Volunteerism
Linda Mercury - Creating a Literary (or Creative) Life
Jenna Bayley-Burke - Eat Healthier
Cassiel Knight - No More Procrastination
Cathryn Cade - Take Time for those OTHER Creative Passions
Su Lute - Reduce Stress: Find and Follow Your Bliss
Jamie Brazil - Shrink My Closet
Paty, great post. It is a tough leap of faith to take for many. Yet so many of us do now, especially with digital pubbing. Happy new year! ! Jamie Brazil
ReplyDeleteHi Jamie, Yes, following your creative dreams takes fortitude but in the long run you are so much happier. Thanks for commenting!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Linda and Paty!
ReplyDeleteI agree that the hardest part is believing in my writing. Thankfully, my CP's are great about pointing out what works as well as what doesn't. That's helped immensely!
Great post, Paty!
Wonderful post. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteHi Melia. Happy New Year back atcha! CP's are an essential arsenal to have in your writing career.
ReplyDeleteHi Marian, Thanks!
Following your dreams takes work and I've never worked so hard in my life. It's also very difficult to avoid those naysayers, but if someone is going to do this they have to believe in themselves.
ReplyDeleteWishing you continued success in this new year.
E
Elizabeth, It is hard to follow you dreams and avoid the naysayers, but if you can surround yourself with helpful people it gives you nothing but good mojo. Thanks for stopping in an commenting!
DeleteTerrific post Paty. I too have never worked this hard in my life. Believing in yourself helps.
ReplyDeleteHere's to success in 2013.
:)
Rose
Rose, Believing in yourself is key to everything in your life. Thank you for commenting.
DeleteGreat post, Paty! Here's the best to all our writing sisters for 2013!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Diana! I agree with your sentiment.
DeleteExcellent post! Very hard to take that plunge, but thank goodness you did so you're books are out there for us to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteHi Viola! You're right. The initial plunge to try and be published is the hardest hurdle for most people to take.
DeleteGreat post. My belief in myself has always been there, just at different intensities. However, managing the naysayers is difficult--particularly if they are people you care about. Thank goodness we can surround ourselves with other creatives and get great encouragement.
ReplyDeleteHi Maggie, Naysayers is the hardest part. You have to shut them out and listen to the people who push you to be your best and encourage.
DeleteGreat, positive post Paty. Thank you, I needed this! Melia hit it spot on with the comment about critique partners. Having others help and believe in your work too is so helpful and empowering. And Rose and E - so true about the hard work. I am multi-published in non fiction, but am just starting out in the world of self-pubbed. Wow, so much work to promo. I'm hopeful that it will all pay off in the long run.
ReplyDeleteHi Danita! Glad I could help. Promotion is the bane of my writing...
DeleteHappy New Year Paty
ReplyDeleteBelief in yourself - easier said than done. I tell myself to believe in myself but apparently I'm dead :-)
Jessie, Take all the positive comments you've received from writer friends, editors, or agents and make a poster. Put it where you write and look at it everyday before you write. If those people saw something in your writing then you need to believe in your talent and keep writing.
DeleteWonderful post. I agree with everything you said. Have wonderful 2013.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ella! Wishing you a happy, healthy, prosperous 2013 as well!
ReplyDelete