The Winner of Beth Vogt’s book, Wish You Were Here goes to Melissa Isaksen!
I’ve been writing for years now. Not going to say how many, just suffice it to say, A LOT. And so far, I haven’t had a book published. I did have several short stories published in Woman’s World and a few articles in national publications, but no book. I’ve had very nice rejection letters. I didn’t submit in the hopes of a nice rejection letter, though.
Quitting isn’t an option. But how long does one keep plugging away without reaching their ultimate goal? I don’t know. But I do know that if Susan Boyle (of Britain’s Got Talent fame) had given up, the world would’ve missed a beautiful voice. 
And then there are those legions of writers who submitted one more time after hundreds, some even thousands, of rejections only to hit the big time. Like J. K. Rowling, or Louis L’Amour (over 400 times), John Grisham…the list goes on.
Before you quit reaching for that goal, watch this video. Garrett McNamara is a legend in the sport of big wave surfing. Surfers dream of catching the big one — that wave that will ride them into the world records. Garrett wasn’t even going out to surf on this day–he was too beat up from the waves the day before, wiping out over and over. But he went out for one last time, and made a Guinness World Record ride.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=fSz7a5EX5BY
Why did he go out again? For the same reason I keep writing. I love to do it, and a rejection letter isn’t going to make me stop. I know God’s timing is perfect, but even if I never publish a book, I’ll keep writing until I don’t love it anymore.
What have you kept on doing despite rejection or failure?
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Comments 14
Fantastic post today, Pat! Great reminder that success doesn’t always come overnight.
Author
Thanks, Michelle! If you’ll notice, that guy ain’t young…lol
I’m with you, Pat! I’ll write as long as I can come what may. But it’s not just writing — it’s improving our writing, being teachable, learning, and most of all, enjoying the journey. I’m blessed (and thank God all the time) that I’m traveling this journey with you and others who hold such an important place in my heart.
Author
You’re so right, Johnnie…it’s about the journey and how we travel that journey and Who we travel it with. I, too, am blessed that we’re travelling it together.
Richie says he gave up a long time ago. Darlene just slapped him up side the head. Tommy Ray is still trying to figure out the question.
They are why I haven’t given up.
Author
I love that about Laid To Rest, Patricia. You are having so much fun with them! Can’t wait until it’s out there.
What a neat, neat post, Pat. I’m sending this to my “wave-loving” east coast beach family.
Author
Thanks, Cheryl! This post is actually a response to those who ask why I keep writing after getting so many rejections. So glad you stopped by.
I woke up this morning with these thoughts, which I wrote down to develop for a future devotion I’m to write–must have been anticipating your great post: Keep going and growing. Do today what you could not do yesterday . . . And love the fitting Susan Boyle photo–what an inspiring moment in history that was.
Author
Keep going and growing. Do today what you could not do yesterday. I love that, Dee.
Great post, Pat. Writing is a lot like pursuing a singing career. When I was a student at Oberlin Conservatory, a famous singer visiting campus told us a successful singer considers himself doing well career-wise if he lands 5% of all things for which he auditions. To us, not getting the job was as normal as breathing. We didn’t call it rejection. I didn’t run into that until switching to college teaching. And now, writing.
Author
Often we expect instant gratification…we want to write a book, someone will publish it. We don’t want to pay our due…like learning the craft, etc. Thanks for stopping by, Paula!
What keeps me going is basically twofold:
1) knowing one day I’ll have to give an account for my deeds to God.
2) The golden nuggest are in the doing, not the getting. It’s not about the destination, but rather the journey that brings peace, joy, laughter and friendships. As long as I have those, no matter how long the journey lasts, the destination will be a dreaded foe.
Author
Oh, Reebs, that is awesome. You bring all three of those things to me! Thank you for being my friend.