Kristi Tuck Austin asked Sadeqa Johnson:

Is there one thing that every writer should have?

Sadeqa Johnson The will to succeed. You have to tune everyone out and really focus on your goals with tunnel vision. When I decided to quit my job in publishing to pursue writing, my father called me and he was furious. He shouted, "What did I spend all that money sending you to college for so that you could quit?" He didn't see my vision. All he could see was that I was throwing away a well paying position to pursue the unknown. It was nerve-wracking for me, and it took a while to get over what he said. Eventually, I let it fuel me to stay the course. It kindled me to show up at my computer every day, set my office hours, not answer the telephone, and turn down lunch dates so that I could work. Remember, there may be people who believe in your dream, but more often there will be the naysayers. Your will to write has to quiet all of those voices of doubt, fear and give you the will to push on.

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