The Drive of a Writer

A while ago, my husband and I bought the P90X DVDs with the full determination to get in amazing shape. Without a doubt, they are an intense and comprehensive program but like many users, we went in with a temporary mindset to get in shape. The real question is "what's next?"

Needless to say, the DVDs were used at first and then soon forgotten. Only recently have I pulled them out, dusted them off and starting working out to them again. Truly, I am amazed at how pitifully out-of-shape I am. I caught myself feeling quite embarrassed this week as I leaned over and grabbed my knees, gasping for breath after only twenty minutes of the plyometrics DVD in the series. But (there's always a but), it will pass.

So where am I going with this? Simply put, I meet tons of writers who get out there with the pure intention of getting published. They sit down, start typing away, give their work to a few family members or friends to read and start writing an action plan for their big destiny. Then it happens. They send the manuscript out to some agents, join a critique group and in come the red X's and track changes. In comes the rejection.

In this case, I think of writing like any difficult endeavor out there (even exercise). To do it well, takes time, patience and a strong will. It's easy to say you're going go on a diet but as our society knows, actually losing weight and becoming healthy means changing your life and habits. It's also easy to say you want to write a book and get published. With enough hard work and dedication, I'm sure you will, but then what? That's the question many writers forget to ask themselves. Just like an exercise routine and a good nutrition plan are needed to lead a healthy life, continually writing and study of the craft is needed to grow a great writing career.  Publishing is just the start of a new chapter and with it come more complexities.

 Do you have the drive to hit the finish line and keep going? If not, why are you writing?

Filed under: Toni Kelly, Writer's Life, Writing Topics