November 23, 2009

Winston Churchill once said, “Continuous effort–not strength or intelligence–is the key to unlocking our potential.” I believe he’s right. Over the years, the writers I’ve seen succeed were the ones who refused to give up.

I’ve been surprised sometimes too. Some of my most brilliant students gave up after a rejection or two and never were published. But I have books on my shelf from medium-talented students who refused to give up on their dreams–books published by large New York publishers.

Plugging Away

I’ve been remembering that principle this month during NaNoWriMo when I was either sick or gone or interrupted. Many days, I felt weak and the novel sounded silly and self-serving, but I kept plugging away. Last week I was about 8,000 words behind. Today I am almost caught up–only by doggedly plugging away.

Samuel Johnson said, “Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance.” In a like vein, Helen Keller (one of the most determined people you’ll ever read about) said, “We can do anything we want to as long as we stick to it long enough.” That’s good news to me! Is it to you?

It’s Your Choice

We may not be the most talented writers. We may not be the most clever or well read. We may not have an MFA in writing or be able to afford expensive writing conferences. BUT we can each choose to persevere, to stick to it till we finish.

Know where you want to go, and map out a clear strategy on how you plan to get there. There are many ways to study and grow, ranging from free online courses and books to expensive MFA programs at pretigious colleges. But in either case, the only person with an advantage is the one who refuses to quit.

Is that YOU?

11 Comments »

1. 

   Hi Kristi,
   Perseverance… I’d forgotten about that.
   I’ve been derailed this month by major things beyond my control & I was thinking to myself I should give up for now & try again later. But Later never seems to come along.
   While I may not hit 50,000 words - I can start writing daily again (starting today) to develop goods habits & to persevere through this rough patch to the green pasture on the other side…
   Thanks for the inspiration.
   

   Comment by Ally M — November 23, 2009 @ 12:18 pm

2. 

   Ally, I got derailed early in the month by things beyond my control too, and very quickly was nearly 10,000 words behind schedule. Actually, it was a comment made by a daughter of someone who left a comment that jarred me loose. She had told her mother, “If you quit now, you KNOW you won’t make it to the end. At least if you keep going, there’s a chance you will make it.” Out of the mouths of babes! And yes, much of writing is starting over–again and again!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — November 23, 2009 @ 12:21 pm

3. 

   Yes, Moi!

   Kristi, I am thankful for you and your wonderful blog. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

   Comment by Vijaya — November 23, 2009 @ 12:31 pm

4. 

   Vijaya, I’m glad you’re not a quitter! Some days it doesn’t sound like much, but at least we can have grit! Sometimes you just have to dig your heels in!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — November 23, 2009 @ 1:06 pm

5. 

   Thanks for the excellent post, Kristi. I love your focus on what we can control - our choice to continue writing - vs. all the things out of our control, including our inherent, perhaps genetic, talents.

   The only thing I’d add is that some of us might believe in perseverence but find ourselves less resilient than necessary. For me, learning the tools to become and stay resilient has been crucial to persevering - and flourishing - as a committed writer.

   Comment by Carol Coven Grannick — November 23, 2009 @ 2:24 pm

6. 

   Carol, you are soooo right! If we can’t bounce back from what life throws at us, if we don’t learn how to pick up the pieces and keep moving, perseverance won’t do many of us a lot of good. I just clicked over to your blog and LOVED what I read so much that I subscribed to it. I hope other readers will too. I am anxious to read what else you’ve written. We seem to be on the same wavelength!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — November 23, 2009 @ 3:12 pm

7. 

   It’s great news to me that I don’t have to be brilliant. In fact, it’s great news that being brilliant is almost a liability sometimes. Not giving up, I can do. Hurray!

   Comment by Beth Mac — November 23, 2009 @ 3:37 pm

8. 

   Beth, I find it very comforting myself that I don’t have to be the next J.K. Rowling in order to succeed. There are times you can feel that way, with all the pressure to market and sell those big numbers. You’re right: not giving up, we can do!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — November 23, 2009 @ 5:53 pm

9. 

   Whew. Sometimes i think you’re walking around in my head.
   I know this month (this past week, really) has severely challenged my ability to bounce back, but I seem to be winning. I find writing to be a welcome diversion from the sad reality that is life these days, so that helps. It also helps that it doesn’t have to be “good”. It can be “good” later. I’m sooo NOT brilliant. heh. ;}
   Thanks, Kristi!

   Comment by Yvette — November 23, 2009 @ 10:20 pm

10. 

    PS - not that I want to start a political discussion, but Winston Churchill was right about a great many things.

    Comment by Yvette — November 23, 2009 @ 10:22 pm

11. 

    Yvette, I loved your comment that the writing didn’t have to be good now–it can be good later. That’s such an important mind-set to have. “Right now, what I’m writing is good ENOUGH.” And yes, Churchill was a great leader and bold (political or not!)

    Comment by Kristi Holl — November 24, 2009 @ 6:04 am

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