Caroline Starr Rose

picture book and middle-grade author

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Question For You

23 Comments

What motivates you to keep writing?

Over the years, two facts have kept me going: I have something unique to say and my writing can, through persistence, only improve.

What motivation has worked for you?

And for a fabulous post about practice and persistence, stop by Liesl’s blog today.

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Filed Under: the writing life

Comments

  1. Tabitha Bird says

    January 29, 2010 at 1:22 pm

    I said I wanted to do it and damn it I am going to try:)

    I can, I want to, I will.

    Reply
  2. Kelly says

    January 29, 2010 at 2:26 pm

    I think the challenge keeps me going. I want to see my dream of being published become a reality. I am very competitive! (Plus the supportive writing community and my writing group help keep me going as well!)

    Reply
  3. Jonathon Arntson says

    January 29, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    The image of my name on a cover has kept me going. Simple and cheesy, but it’s been doing its job.

    Reply
  4. Rowenna says

    January 29, 2010 at 2:42 pm

    It’s like having no brakes–I can’t stop! That, and a nagging perseverance that, long road or longer road, I’ll get to hold my own book someday.

    Reply
  5. Liesl says

    January 29, 2010 at 3:51 pm

    Ditto to your reasons. I’m also very stubborn, but when doubt starts to override the stubborns, my husband is very supportive.

    At the end of the day though I just can’t stand giving up. Maybe one story won’t sell, maybe not the next one either, but like you, I know I can get better with practice and patience. I just posted on my own blog about 10,000 hours of practice.

    Reply
  6. Valerie Geary says

    January 29, 2010 at 3:52 pm

    2 things… which might be a bit strange to some people:

    1. People who write (and sell) books because they are famous… not because they have any sort of talent. I think: “If they can do it, then I absolutely can. Now… stop watching TV and go write!”

    2. Older writers… and by older I mean 80’s-90’s (sometimes 70’s works too). Writers who have been at it for a long time successfully. I like to know that I have the rest of my life to work on perfection.

    Reply
  7. Shannon O'Donnell says

    January 29, 2010 at 3:54 pm

    My children! My little 7 y.o. wants so desperately to buy a book of his mommy’s – how could that NOT motivate me?! 🙂

    Reply
  8. Michelle says

    January 29, 2010 at 3:54 pm

    I turn to the supportive people around me. When I feel frustrated with my writing, my husband or the Slushbusters keep me going. And chocolate makes almost everything better!

    Reply
  9. PJ Hoover says

    January 29, 2010 at 3:55 pm

    Nice profile picture, btw.

    I just can’t imagine myself quitting. There is so much about the business I enjoy. Of course, those small bits of good news really help keep the motivation going.

    Reply
  10. Veronica Barton-Dean says

    January 29, 2010 at 4:10 pm

    How could I deny something that is so much a part of who I am. I tried once and it didn’t work very well.

    Reply
  11. Caroline Starr Rose says

    January 29, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    PJ — Thanks!

    Valerie — I really relate to your second point. It’s liberating to realize we have a lifetime to improve, if we work at it.

    Michelle — for me, it’s peanut butter

    Reply
  12. Jennifer Shirk says

    January 29, 2010 at 6:02 pm

    Money.

    (just half kidding):)

    Sometimes it’s just the sheer challenge to finish a book.

    Reply
  13. Lily Cate says

    January 29, 2010 at 7:47 pm

    I just love it.
    Nothing else gives me a feeling of accomplishment like when I have spent a few hours a day writing.

    Reply
  14. Jemi Fraser says

    January 29, 2010 at 10:42 pm

    Love. Joy. Fun. Addiction? Obsession?

    Reply
  15. Katie Ganshert says

    January 30, 2010 at 1:03 am

    Just the joy I get from creating something that brings joy to others. That keeps me going.

    I love your new profile picture. 🙂

    Reply
  16. Sharon Mayhew says

    January 30, 2010 at 2:15 am

    What motivates me? When I get a personal rejection it gives me a glimmer of hope reminding me, I can do this…It makes me hope that one day a child is going to be able to pick my book off a bookshelf in the school library. 🙂

    Reply
  17. Elizabeth Munroz says

    January 30, 2010 at 7:43 am

    What Rowenna said… I couldn’t have said it better. Consider my comment a ditto.

    Reply
  18. Karen says

    January 30, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    Encouragement from my family and critique pals…and chocolate.

    Reply
  19. laurel says

    January 30, 2010 at 3:43 pm

    I feel more fulfilled as a person when I am writing and miserable when I’m not.

    BTW, I found you through Fiction Groupie, read your profile and was thrilled to my toes to find another Amadeus fan!! Well… there it is. (-:

    Reply
  20. Corey Schwartz says

    January 30, 2010 at 4:23 pm

    I don’t think I could keep going without the occasional personal note saying “you are so close!”

    Reply
  21. Anna says

    January 31, 2010 at 6:21 pm

    Caroline, I just wanted to let you know that I gave your blog an award on my post on annastan.com today. Come by and check it out. 🙂

    Reply
  22. Shelli says

    February 1, 2010 at 1:55 am

    my spirit cant live without it. something is missing when i don’t

    Reply
  23. Sarah Skilton says

    February 1, 2010 at 3:25 am

    What motivates me is that there’s nothing I’d rather spend my life doing, or trying to do. I also love the idea of writing something that momentarily becomes another person’s escape. I love to read so much that the possibility of being a good book in someone else’s life is an incredible honor.

    Reply

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