June 24, 2011

Okay, you prepared (Stage One). You explored your options (Stage Two). You got started (Stage Three). Now you’re ready for Stage Four of “The Five Stages of Success”, where you survive and thrive.

Start-Up Speeds

You might have had a very fast start. That would be the writer who published the first thing he submitted, or his first novel was a Newbery Honor Book. These overnight successes are at the extreme end of the bell curve.

The other extreme end of the “survival and growth” stage is where you find the most dedicated, determined writers. They sell articles about “how I made my first sale on my 239th submission” or they sell a book they’ve been working on diligently for twenty years.

Average Writers

Most of us fall somewhere in the middle. This stage is the most challenging, partly because it’s usually the longest. There is a lot to learn about the writing business, and improving one’s writing craft simply takes time. If you know that and truly understand it, you will enjoy this stage of your success so much more.

It shouldn’t be rushed through. Try to resist society’s “instant gratification” message when it comes to your writing. More and more, I’m receiving emails from new writers saying, “I haven’t had a response in two months from a publisher. I shouldn’t have to wait to be published!” And I think, Why not?

Writers for centuries have had to wait and practice and revise before being published. And thank goodness they did! Even writers like Jane Austen didn’t write early drafts that were very good. So don’t get in a rush. All you will accomplish by that attitude is getting material self-published that is way less than your best is going to be. Nearly everyone I hear from who did this regrets it later.

Growth is Fun

So where’s the success in this stage if it takes such a long time?

I believe there are dozens and dozens of mini-successes spread throughout this stage. They include things like:

• finishing your first book
• attending a conference
• making a new writing friend
• small sales and large sales–celebrate each one!
• being asked to speak to kids or librarians
• the years your income taxes reflect “black” instead of “red”
• good reviews
• book signings (whether you sell many books or not)
• autographing books for your friends and family
• and so many more!

During this “surviving and growing” stage it’s easy to get fixated on all the things you can’t do yet. Don’t forget to notice–and celebrate–that you ARE making it! You are growing. You are getting there, step by step.

One Regret

If I could do one thing over in my writing life and make one change, this would be it: Celebrate everything!

Pat yourself on the back if no one else does. Reward yourself for each little success. We certainly go on and on about our rejections. Let’s go on and on about the successful steps we make!

6 Comments »

1. 

   Everyone, thanks so much for your comments. I’ve been out of state for a week, and am finally able to sort through all the comments left while I was gone.

   We ALL need to celebrate each step that we are successful!! And success comes in small increments sometimes.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — June 24, 2011 @ 4:22 am

2. 

   Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Kristi! Good advice to all, new writers and “old” writers. I appreciate the reminders.

   Comment by Joan C. Webb — June 24, 2011 @ 5:52 am

3. 

   I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts this week, Kristi. You are truly inspiring! It is so much easier to focus on the negative, but I love the idea of celebrating the successful steps. It is each and every small successful step that leads to the greater good.

   Thank you for your wise words.

   Karin

   Comment by Karin Larson — June 24, 2011 @ 9:28 am

4. 

   Kristi, I’d like to recommend a book: Word Work by Bruce Rogers Hale. I wrote a review for the Bulletin because it is exactly about this stage.
   Here’s the link: http://www.amazon.com/Word-Work-Surviving-Thriving-Writer/dp/1931229171/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308944202&sr=8-1-fkmr0

   Comment by Vijaya — June 24, 2011 @ 1:37 pm

5. 

   Dear Kristi,

   I totally agree – celebrate each step! A writer’s waiting and worrying life is dreary enough but we have to learn to cut down on the drearies, and learn to add more ribbons and meringues. This is the way I want to exist!

   Claudine

   Comment by Claudine — June 25, 2011 @ 2:03 am

6. 

   Kristi, you said, “If you know that [improving your craft takes time] and truly understand it, you will enjoy this stage of your success so much more.” That really hit me, because I have NEVER considered the Learning and Waiting Process as a stage of success before. Now I will. When I wake up and write when I don’t feel like it, I will celebrate. When I wait to hear back from an editor with a good attitude, I will celebrate! When I write and keep sending things out while I’m waiting on that editor, I will celebrate! Thanks for the great reminder. Today I am celebrating the fact that I have consistenly written two pages every day for the past 18 days, and 7 of those days were when I was on vacation with my family. (Not all of those pages were good, but I am celebrating that I am developing consistency and diligence):)

   Comment by Heather — June 25, 2011 @ 9:17 am

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