Question For You
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.
I said I wanted to do it and damn it I am going to try:)
I can, I want to, I will.
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!)
The image of my name on a cover has kept me going. Simple and cheesy, but it’s been doing its job.
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.
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.
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.
My children! My little 7 y.o. wants so desperately to buy a book of his mommy’s – how could that NOT motivate me?! :-)
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!
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.
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.
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
Money.
(just half kidding):)
Sometimes it’s just the sheer challenge to finish a book.
I just love it.
Nothing else gives me a feeling of accomplishment like when I have spent a few hours a day writing.
Love. Joy. Fun. Addiction? Obsession?
Just the joy I get from creating something that brings joy to others. That keeps me going.
I love your new profile picture. :)
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. :)
What Rowenna said… I couldn’t have said it better. Consider my comment a ditto.
Encouragement from my family and critique pals…and chocolate.
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. (-:
I don’t think I could keep going without the occasional personal note saying “you are so close!”
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. :-)
my spirit cant live without it. something is missing when i don’t
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.