[Recommended Link] On Failure

There's a great post written by author J.M. McDermott (Last Dragon) about failure on the Apex Book Company blog about failure.

He talks about how failure is a natural occurrence and then touches on how people perceive successful authors:

People perceive authors with book deals — multiple book deals — and awards-nominations, if not awards, as successful writers. It feels odd to encounter that when I'm out and about. I don't feel like a successful writer. Every project is a struggle to get out into the world. Every story is a wrestling match against all the distractions of the world. How many times in a day I fail is amazing to me. How many times in a year that I fail makes me want to drink absinthe until the world blurs into a haze if I think about it too much. Fortunately, I don't think about it too much. — SOURCE: People Fail All the Time at Apexbookcompany.com

I feel that this post is one every aspiring writer should read, because McDermott's words are extremely honest and grounded. To quote the cliché: success is in the eye of the beholder. When I was younger, I used to feel embarrassed whenever I talked about my failures. Later on I found there was no reason to feel that way. After all, if you don't fall down — how can you get back up? How can you learn? Grow? How do you know when you're successful if you don't fail?

The other reason why I recommend this post, is for any of you who are feeling a little down in the dumps. McDermott offers some words of advice to help you get through the tough times. So when you have a chance, pop on over and read: People Fail All the Time at Apexbookcompany.com.

Related posts: An Open Letter to "New" Writers