Unemployed, a single mother and frankly, just plain ordinary, J.K. Rowling's outlook on life was dim at best. So, how did she go from the depths of despair to the life of a billionaire?
She took an "idea" about which she was enthusiastic and started crafting it into a manuscript, one word at time. That’s it. Magic and wizardry she did not possess, inside connections she did not have. The dedication to bring to life that which would otherwise haunt her until it was produced is how she arrived.
So many of us aspire to be writers, we have loved it, lived it, tried it, failed at it and mostly wondered about those who had achieved writing success, "How did they do it?" There is no textbook way of getting there. No "10 steps to arriving." That would be too easy, and besides, the art and spontaneity would be lost.
If those we admire most in the field were asked, "How did you do it?" The resounding consensus would most likely be the same.., "We did not quit." "We did not let someone tell us we were not good enough." "We re-submitted again and again." Rowling's first rejection letter came back as quickly as they had received her manuscript. Had she let that phase her, she still may be a teacher and living hand to mouth.
Believing in yourself and never giving up sounds cliché, and working when you have no hours left in the day sounds unfeasible. But deciding that you can conquer those will be the difference from "aspiring" to "arriving."
She took an "idea" about which she was enthusiastic and started crafting it into a manuscript, one word at time. That’s it. Magic and wizardry she did not possess, inside connections she did not have. The dedication to bring to life that which would otherwise haunt her until it was produced is how she arrived.
So many of us aspire to be writers, we have loved it, lived it, tried it, failed at it and mostly wondered about those who had achieved writing success, "How did they do it?" There is no textbook way of getting there. No "10 steps to arriving." That would be too easy, and besides, the art and spontaneity would be lost.
If those we admire most in the field were asked, "How did you do it?" The resounding consensus would most likely be the same.., "We did not quit." "We did not let someone tell us we were not good enough." "We re-submitted again and again." Rowling's first rejection letter came back as quickly as they had received her manuscript. Had she let that phase her, she still may be a teacher and living hand to mouth.
Believing in yourself and never giving up sounds cliché, and working when you have no hours left in the day sounds unfeasible. But deciding that you can conquer those will be the difference from "aspiring" to "arriving."
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This pep talk is timely-- thank you-- given my novel just received a form rejection slightly smaller than an index card and slightly bigger than a postage stamp. :)
ReplyDeleteBut, as you said, it's possible to find solace and renewed hope in the age-old concept of "try, try again." We'll see what happens in the near future.
Thanks for the inspiring post. I needed a push right now and you just provided it! :)
ReplyDeleteJenn and Heather,
ReplyDeleteI am glad I could be of inspiration. I wish you well.
Exactly what I needed to hear today... Thank you!
ReplyDelete