Anything You Can Do

First off, I want to thank Mason Canyon over at Thoughts in Progress for providing directions for me to put up The Animal Rescue Site button - over here on the right. Please click through once a day to help shelter animals. Two clicks and you're done. And while you're at it, click on the link to Mason's blog, too. It's beautiful and filled with lots of info.

Now, on to today's writing post. It will be a quickie because I have to be somewhere by 9:30 and I'm still in my jammies. Unlike those who prepare, I just come here and write off the cuff. Maybe I should take the hint.

Anyway . . .

I'm competitive. I'm persistent.

Those who know me and read this are shaking their heads. Those words don't tell it how it really is. How it really is, is don't tell me I can't do something or don't tell me you can out-do me on anything. Anything.

Those words punch every button I have. In writing parlance, they're a strong motivator.

I want to win, and I keep at something until I learn how to do it. As long as I enjoy what I'm doing. If I try something and don't like it, all bets are off. Like snorkeling. But that's another post some day.

This post is more a motivator for you about what it takes when we write.

Some days those words flow like wine. Other days they don't. Be persistent. WANT to get those words down. WANT to finish that revision. WANT to make this piece the best damn piece you ever wrote.

When it's done, send it out. Don't dawdle. Are you going to get smacked with rejections? Most likely. Don't give up. Send it out again. Start another piece. WANT to win.

If you want to win badly enough AND do everything you know to do to get there AND don't be stubborn about it, you will. It may take a long time. Or it may not. There are no absolutes in this business.

You may win in a way you hadn't anticipated, but you will win.

Some of you are saying ... She said she's persistent and then she says don't be stubborn. I don't get it.

There's a difference between the two. I know. I'm a little bit stubborn, too, about some things.

Comments

You're so right. Writers need to figure out what their goal is--is it to satisfy themselves? Their family? Is it publication? When they nail down what it is they're looking for, they've got to be really driven to get there.

Great post! Have fun this morning...

Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Kerrie said…
You are so right. We have to keep at it and not give up.
(by the way, I am still in my p.j's too!)
Mason Canyon said…
Thank you Carol for the kind words about my blog. I'm so the link worked for you. It's a very good cause.

There is a BIG difference in being stubborn and be persistent. Stubborn mean you won't give an inch on what you want. Persistent means you will continue trying different things if necessary to reach the end goal.

Thanks again for the plug.
Carol Kilgore said…
Elizabeth - I did have fun this morning, thanks - live music and a tree lighting ceremony. But the best part is I finished my Christmas shopping. Yes!
Drive is important in everything.

Kerrie - Isn't it great to hang out and work at the same time? Never say uncle.
Carol Kilgore said…
You're welcome, Mason. I love visiting your blog. Stubborn and persistent are words I see misused a lot.
Elspeth Futcher said…
Good advice I should really take. I hate losing at anything. It's the follow-through where I fall down...

Elspeth
Carol Kilgore said…
I hate losing, too, Espeth. Follow thru is where persistence really plays a big part. At least it does for me.
Anonymous said…
Goal setting and persistence are really important for most endeavours and I really need both to help me with my writing. Great post, thanks for sharing.
Good motivational post. I forget these things sometimes. Just now, I'm at the point where I need to take this advice and get my thrid WIP rolling, whatever it may be.

Best Regards, Galen.
Carol Kilgore said…
Cassandra - I set goals, too. Goals for the day, week, month, year. It all depends. I have to write them down, though. If I don't, I tend to think they're not as important.

Galen - Good luck with your next WIP. Maybe keep thinking about it and start writing on January 1.
Terry Odell said…
Thanks for sharing - and good timing. I really have to line up my ducks as I start down a new career road.
Carol Kilgore said…
Don't let any of those little quackers get outta line :)
I wish I had read this earlier as I spent today doing just about everything other than working on my manuscript! Now I’m inspired, so tomorrow will be better. By the way, I don’t like snorkeling either. I thought I was the only one.
Carol Kilgore said…
A sister snorkelhater. Two things made it bad for me - being forced to breathe through my mouth, and the feeling of claustrophobia. Beautiful scenery, but no thank you. Attack that manuscript with a vengeance.
Marisa Birns said…
Carol, I want it too! I want to pour the words (a Pinot Noir? Since it's good for health) and everything else that goes with living a writerly life.

Thanks for this. You've motivated me, Coach!
Carol Kilgore said…
Alrighty then . . . get in there and play!

.