Tenacious Seeds Can Produce a Great Crop by Jean Dewitt

Writers are kind of quirky people—they work in solitude, they hope in quietude, they pour out their hearts in a world of their own creation. They give their utmost and their best, so when they finally send their 'baby' out into the world it can crush their spirit if it isn’t received with open arms!

Tenacity is a quality that every creative person needs, but especially writers. Why? Because while the artist can 'show' his or her work and receive instant feedback, the writer cannot do that. The writing process can take months and even years, so clinging firmly to one’s objective has to be a strong resolve, and believing in your work is not a luxury, but essential to survival! So the seeds of tenacity can often produce a great crop!

The poem 'Don’t Quit' has some inspiring words: “Often the goal is nearer than it seems to a faint and faltering man. Often the struggler has given up, when he might have captured the victor’s cup.” The path to success has many quitters along the way, but maybe, just maybe, they might have been winners had they positioned themselves mentally to 'hang on tight,' whether the ride is bumpy or not.

Some projects take years before someone has the vision to 'see' its potential, but that shouldn’t halt the creative flow. Just move on to another one and keep that one in the back of your mind…resurrection may still take place. After all, there is a season for all things, and timing is a reality, not a fable. Did you know that Steven King’s first book, Carrie, received 30 rejections and caused King to give up and throw it in the 'circular file?' Who knows what might have happened had his wife not fished it out of the trash and encouraged him to resubmit it?

Sometimes greatness flows from the struggle…it produces a more worthy book or piece of writing, so never regret struggling for your craft or waiting to see it acknowledged. Embrace both the highs and lows of the journey, and remember to keep tenacity as your closest friend!

Jean Dewitt is a poet, artist, songwriter, and blogger. She is bonkers about good biographies, persistent in her pursuit of learning French, and just plain weird when it comes to symmetry. She is a 'quiet' philanthropist (or 'good deed doer) according to the Wizard of Oz) who liked to make a difference in people’s lives. She enjoys too many things and wishes she could be more focused (suspicions of ADD have crossed her mind!) One of her dreams is to have a library just like Professor Henry Higgins (My Fair Lady)…ladder and all! Visit Jean's website at www.gloryjean.wordpress.com.