Don't give up.

Today is one of those days, where I just have to say...

Don't give up. 

 

 

When you have to kill (or cut) a beloved character...

When your editor tells you to cut your favorite scene...

When you forget to backup and you lose your first fifty pages...

When you hit delete instead of save...

When you get your first negative review...

When you receive a rejection letter...

When someone tells you there are better things to do than write...

When people look down on you...

When you feel downtrodden and alone...

When your heart breaks for your characters...

When the hopelessness of your characters reaches your own heart...

When your heart breaks for the loss of your protagonist...

When you've finished your first draft and dread the edits...

When you can't sleep at night because you have too many ideas...

When your boss keeps you overtime and you don't have time to write...

When your editor asks you for a full rewrite...

When you look in the mirror and you don't recognize yourself anymore...


Don't give up.

That's not who we are.

We're writers. We're Christians. We're strong enough to get through this.


Romans 12:11 (NKJV) - Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord


That's what we should be. So...


When you have to kill (or cut) a beloved character... Go back and read one of their best scenes.

When your editor tells you to cut your favorite scene... Keep a copy for yourself.

When you forget to backup and you lose your first fifty pages... Cry it out, take a deep breath, and write it again. It'll be better this time.

When you hit delete instead of save... Check your system recovery, hit undo, or write it again.

When you get your first negative review... Remember that everyone gets them, and not every story is for every person to read and enjoy.

When you receive a rejection letter... Remember how picky editors can be, and try again.

When someone tells you there are better things to do than write... Politely tell them you think differently.

When people look down on you... Smile and think of what they're missing.

When you feel downtrodden and alone... Remember your Father is always with you.

When your heart breaks for your characters... Know that your readers will feel the same.

When the hopelessness of your characters reaches your own heart... Reach back and cry on their shoulder.

When your heart breaks for the loss of your protagonist... Know that it's okay to cry.

When you've finished your first draft and dread the edits... Take a deep breath and read your favorite parts, so you'll know it's not all bad.

When you can't sleep at night because you have too many ideas... Keep a pad and pencil by your bed, so you can write them down and sleep.

When your boss keeps you overtime and you don't have time to write... Remember that this is only a stepping stone, and that someday you'll be able to write full time.

When your editor asks you for a full rewrite... Know that they're used to being chewed out, but it's better if you send them cookies afterward.

When you look in the mirror and you don't recognize yourself anymore... Smile and introduce yourself. Maybe this new you is pretty cool too.


[love]

{Rani Divine}