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| Photo by Alysha Rosly on Unsplash |
Years ago, I remember reading a post by Veronica Roth (The Divergent Series) about planning for success rather than failure. Try as I might, I couldn’t find the original post, but this quote by her captures the same idea:
One piece of advice I have is: Want something else more than success. Success is a lovely thing, but your desire to say something, your worth, and your identity shouldn’t rely on it, because it’s not guaranteed and it’s not permanent and it’s not sufficient. So work hard, fall in love with the writing — the characters, the story, the words, the themes — and make sure that you are who you are regardless of your life circumstances. That way, when the good things come, they don’t warp you, and when the bad things hit you, you don’t fall apart. –Veronica Roth,
I’ve often wondered if I’m afraid of success.
1. I have a tendency to never think my work is “ready” or done.
2. If I am successful, will the people I know in real life be offended in some way by what I write? (This actually happened in a hilarious novel I read recently, Miss Buncle’s Book.)
3. Will I get invited on worldwide book tours and never have time for my family or what really counts? (Ha! Ha! Probably not going to happen.)
Yet at the same time, I’m afraid of failure.
1. I have a tendency to never think my work is “ready” or done.
2. I hate getting rejections. Try as I might, I’ve never been able to completely toughen my thin skin.
3. And then there’s always the nagging question: What if my work is really bad or worse than I thought?
Recently I found out that my manuscript DEAR DIANA is a finalist for the Cascade Award with Cascade Christian Writers. Last summer this same manuscript was a finalist in ACFW.
I hadn't entered a writing contest for a novel length work in over a decade.
When I told my sister that I was a finalist last summer and that I hardly ever enter contests, she said, “Maybe you’d win more contests if you entered more.” Ah, the wisdom of sisters.
Right now, I am forcing myself to follow her advice. I have entered three different contests/awards this year. I plan to enter at least one more this summer. I’m letting my manuscript rest right now, but I will soon do a last pass so I can start submitting it. And I will make myself press send.
Entering contests has taught me something. It’s taught me to work to a deadline AND to accept that my work may never be perfect.
My husband, who’s an artist, likes to remind me that a piece of art is never done. You just decide when to walk away, which I have also learned as I've dabbled in watercolor.
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| A Christmas card I painted |
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I love the quote by Veronica Roth. It's so true. And your sister gave you great advice. I'm afraid of success too for other reasons. If your manuscript is a finalist in these contests (congrats!), maybe you should try querying agents or publishers who accept unagented submissions if that's your goal.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement, Natalie! I hope to start querying this soon.
DeleteTrue point about contests. And that is an excellent quote.
ReplyDeleteYes, I love that quote! Happy ISWG, Alex!
DeleteWhen I first took up writing I was afraid of success. I didn't want my love of writing to ruin my life. Now, I just want to stop getting rejections. hehehe
ReplyDeleteLife is a silly business.
Anna from elements of emaginette
Interesting! Yes, it's easy to go back and forth between the two--and it depends on what I'm doing. Querying does make us a little more on the fear of rejection side, doesn't it?
DeleteThe whole whether or not our work is ready for the public is a fear of my mine as well. There will always be mistakes we might find later but that's normal, at least, I think that's normal. We can never reach perfect in our work but we can try to get to nearly perfect.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.
Great point, Lissa! We can only get it as best as we can do, but perfect just doesn't exist.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI don't think any of my writing is finished. I believe it is good and can be published but if I read that same book ten years from now I would probably changed something. We're all human and with. aging our writing matures and we see a sentence or a paragraph that we would have written differently. That's life.
Have a lovely day.
Shalom shalom,
Pat Garcia
Yes, great point about how we will want to go back and change things. I think every writer experiences that. It's good that you believe it's good enough to be published.
DeleteSorry, I forgot to write my name. The Anonymous person above is me.
ReplyDeleteShalom shalom
Pat Garcia
I love the quote you chose. It really makes you think. And I never entered any writing contests before. What is that like? Is that a different type of writing in itself or what? I have had my work in box sets or anthologies but never in contests. Wouldn't know where to start of even if I am good enough. Thanks for the great insights.
ReplyDeleteKatie Jenkins at The Dungeon Crawlers Blog #88 on ISWG Blog List
For the contests I've entered, you've just sent in an excerpt of a novel (usually first few chapters + synopsis) or the whole story if it's a short story. It's not any different than regular writing or getting your work ready to send to agents or editors. Congratulations on having your work in anthologies and box sets!
DeleteCongrats on the multiple contest wins for something you wrote! As for success or failure, I don't honestly believe I fear either. At least not before I've submitted my work. I've had regrets afterward sometimes and a time or two I recognize that I've sabotaged my success. Equivocal, as always, a fickle human, writing hobbyist (wink-wink)
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you don't fear either. I think it helps thinking of it as a hobby and remembering that you are human.
DeleteThe common opinion is that success or failure are a measure of how others see our work. I don't think it is true. I see my success as my ability to generate stories. If I suddenly couldn't, if my brain stopped coming up with ideas and characters and their adventures, that would be a failure. I hope it never happens. Publishing though - I don's see it as success, exactly. Rather it is as if someone is saying: "Yeah, maybe that story of hers is decent enough for me, too."
ReplyDeleteThat's a great way to look at it, Olga! That's so true, and we shouldn't base our sense of self on other's opinions.
DeleteThat is a wonderful and noteworthy quote by V Roth. I began writing to keep my father's memory alive. Everything I wrote I wanted him to be proud of just in case he was looking over my shoulder. Yes, excellent quote. Happy IWSG Day, Jenni.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great motivation! I lost my dad a few years before I started writing, but he lives on on many of my dad characters. 😊
DeleteYay for entering more contests! Wishing you all the best.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Yvonne!
DeleteContests are great ways both to give yourself a boost for placing and your work a boost. I have a couple authors who enter everything and do well in most. Tough keeping up with the award stickers on their covers!
ReplyDeleteThat's great and good for them! What a nice problem to have. 😊
DeleteI'm taking that tactic this year of submitting my work more. It can't attract any attention (or earn a sale) sitting on my hard drive. @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
Exactly! I was inspired by your post!
Delete"A piece of art is never done. You just decide when to walk away". That is such genius advice, I'm adding it to my board. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDebs posting today from Fiction Can Be Fun
Also found at Debs Despatches
I'm glad you gleaned something to inspire you, Debs!
DeleteWhat a wonderful post, Jenni! I so agree. My first book just published. Determination: A Mother of Five Conquers College. And I'm terrified what others might think about it. And like you said. It was more of a need to be finished with this endeavor so I can move on with other story writing. Here's hoping all goes well with my memoir.
ReplyDeleteOh, I LOVE your painted Christmas trees. Well done!
Aw, thank you, Victoria! I can imagine how both exciting and scary it is to send your book into the world. It sounds like you put your heart into it, and I'm sure it will do well!
DeleteThat quote is brilliant, Jenni! I definitely am who I am! 😂 I love your husband's advice. I come from an extended family with many talented artists. I've never asked them how they decide when a piece is finished. Now I will. Don't you love sisters! I have three, each different, and each with unvarnished advice (um - butt-kicking) to give. Good luck with your entries! 🍀
ReplyDeleteThank you! Sisters are the best! I'd love to hear what your artist family says about how they know they are done.
DeleteBrilliant article (I know so many writers who feel exactly the same way) and great advice! Its hard to walk away from your story, you can polish it forever! Congratulations on the contest successes and great idea to enter more. Doing well in competitions is great for building confidence!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Valinora! So true about how hard it is to walk away.
DeleteCOngratulations on being a finalist! Hooray for your sister's advice! The Fairy Tale Fan book sounds like one that adults will enjoy reading to kids. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol! I hope you enjoy it!
Delete