Why I haven't Quit Publishing (Yet)

I've ruminated on this post for a while now and haven't been quite sure how to tackle it. Honestly, that's mainly because I can sum it up in one word: stubborn. The reason I haven't decided that this whole writing and publishing game is not my thing? Because I am probably the most stubborn person I know. But in a good way. I think :)

"Stubborn" kind of has a lousy connotation though: in reality for me it's more like dedicate, steadfast, or determined. But somehow, I end up back at stubborn every time I think about it, haha!

So, yeah, lately I have been contemplating why I haven't decided that I'm done trying to get my books out in the world. It has nothing to do with the writing itself (I know I can't give that up because it's the only thing keeping me marginally sane) but the querying and agent hunting and marketing and book sales that make me wonder if it's worth it. I work full-time in a job that is incredibly demanding and leaves me little time to market, nor funds to have someone help me out. And I worry constantly that I'm "serving two masters" and spreading myself way too thin.

Should I just stop writing and focus solely on my day job? I must ask myself this at least ten times a day.

But I haven't. And it's not born out of some inner confidence that I'm some amazing writer (I know I'm not--and I'm not fishing for compliments or anything, just being honest :), or some hope that someday I'm going to "make it to the big time" (because as cool as that would be, the odds are vanishingly slim). Nope. It's just because I'm stubborn, and I like telling stories, and there's still a thrill in the hope that someone out there may at some point enjoy one of my books. So, I'm plugging along, sleeping too little, pretty certain that I'm someday going to get a massive ulcer, but that's okay. I'm just going to continue on, a little pig-headed (where did that saying come from??), and try to have fun with it. Because, at the end of the day, what else is there to do? :)

So, inquiring minds wish to know: what are you stubborn/dedicated about?

Oh! And announcements :) I've been tagged in the Facebook Art Challenge and posting some of my favorite photos over on my page and instagram--that's been fun! And on the 4th, I'm over on Lightening Quick Reads with another short story. This one's a kissy one with Bea and Nathan from Surrender the Sky, lol! (Hey, it's February--what do you expect?)