IWSG September, 2021: Defining Success

 

“Success is falling nine times and getting up ten.” ~ Jon Bon Jovi 

This post was written for the Insecure Writer's Support Group monthly blogging event created by author Alex J Cavanaugh. Alex's awesome co-hosts this month Rebecca Douglass, T. Powell Coltrin @Journaling Woman, Natalie Aguirre, Karen Lynn, and C. Lee McKenzie!  Be sure to visit each cohost and Alex.

 

Now to the optional question this month: How do you define success as a writer? 

I’m a short story writer, but in recent years branched out to write the first drafts of four books. I've ePublished once and (in the past) had a few short stories published. Not much for a lifetime of writing, but I have tons of saved files and notebooks full of stories. Do I feel successful? And how do I define success? 

I write (just about every day) for 1-3 hours. This is a (huge) success. My commitment to writing fiction each day is my strength. Is that enough success for me as a writer? For me, success as a writer means completing my work for publication and getting it in the reader's hands. Income would be nice, but not necessary at this time in my life. 

“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” ~ Anne Frank

Successful writing starts somewhere, an idea that begs for liberation from your brain and a plan for development. After that, you must write, write, write, finish and launch. Then do it again and again.

There are many roads to success. How about a recipe for success (just for fun)?

Mix together these dry ingredients. 

½ cup of an idea, sifted (does not need to be fresh or unique)

½ cup of inspiration (often found in the oddest places)

1 cup of planning (on paper or stored in memory)

One pinch of a dream

Add the following fluid ingredients to the above mixture: 

Equal and large amounts of hard work and persistence.  

Optional, but highly recommended: one or more skilled mentors and/or groups of likeminded people (Find some at the IWSG website).

Stir.

Bake until your project is (accurately) completed. 

Share with others. 

And if this project 'seems' to fail, DO IT ALL AGAIN tomorrow. 

“A blank piece of paper is God’s way of telling us how hard it is to be God.” – Sidney Sheldon

What does success mean to you?

T.