Linda Jo Martin

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Writerly Success

October 20, 2008 By Linda Jo Martin 7 Comments

Success is a seductive word. It leads you to think there’s something more that must be achieved – some unobtained happiness that waits for your arrival. You strive and look forward, then pout when things don’t progress as quickly as desired. Is writing really that hard?


Do you think success means you must get published and paid? Or is success something that happens every day just because you managed to spend fifteen minutes writing?

Perhaps success comes with the completion of a goal. If you’ve always wanted to write an e-book, you’d be thrilled at the moment your first one was completed. Successful writers know that joy comes from a job well done.

Success could be staring you in the face right now. Perhaps the self-awareness of knowing you’re a writer is the greatest success of all. To know you’re meant to write, to set words on paper, to share thoughts in writing, is a conscious understanding of your literary talent. You know that writing is for you and you’re for it.

Whatever makes you feel successful, I believe that for you today. I believe you’ll attain your goals, develop your writing skills, and find joy in the work you do. I believe, and with my believing comes absolute certainty that the path you’re taking is the right one for you.

Know joy in the way you walk, for it is your unique journey through life.




Comments

  1. Urlaub spanien buchen says

    November 6, 2008 at 10:31 am

    Like you, I also believe that success comes with the completion of our goals; and for me, we definitely succeed when we overcome our fear of doing something. I just remember my favorite childhood motto: “try and try until you succeed” 😉

    Reply
  2. R J Medak says

    October 30, 2008 at 12:20 am

    I like your definition of success, Linda Jo.

    To me, just knowing that I am a writer and feeling it inside is the cake, being published is the icing on that success cake.

    Reply
  3. LindaJoMartin says

    October 23, 2008 at 4:15 am

    Thanks, Eugene… you won’t find me writing anything more about the election this year. I’m looking forward to having it over with!

    Reply
  4. Eugene says

    October 22, 2008 at 5:20 pm

    Now everyone is talking about the American economy and eclections, nice to read something different. Eugene

    Reply
  5. Eugene says

    October 20, 2008 at 5:16 pm

    Nice article. Thanks. 🙂 Eugene

    Reply
  6. LindaJoMartin says

    October 20, 2008 at 12:36 pm

    So true… there’s nothing quite like finishing what you start. So much better than living with a lot of loose ends.

    Reply
  7. Lea Schizas says

    October 20, 2008 at 9:42 am

    Hi LindaJo. Interesting topic. To me, success means to have completed a project. Publishing is one way to measure success but if a writer doesn’t complete that project, then the ‘success measure’ fails.

    Love your blog.

    Reply

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About Me

Hi, I'm Linda, the Book Lady, and I'm excited about reading. A book is a gift you give yourself. It is so much fun to open that cover and discover what was hidden within. Books share the wisdom of the ages with us. Who wouldn't want that? So I read frequently and encourage reading. If you're a reader, let me know by becoming my friend on GoodReads.


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