Much has been bandied about in various writing communities about writing talent. While talent is good, it will NOT get your manuscript from idea to the editor's hands to the shelves in the store.
Only the hard work and determination will do that. Sitting down day after day and writing, continuing on setback after setback, rejection after rejection. Writing through laughter, tears, writing through the obstacles, writing when you don't believe you're enough. When the voice of Mr. Doubt sings a duet in your head with his friend Mr. Critical. Writing. Writing. Writing.
The books you see on the shelves were not written by people who had a bagload of mystical talent. Or who were favored. They were written by people who all had one thing in common. They never gave up. They never quit until they achieved their goal.
So I ask, 'Are you talented or are you determined?'
Monday, December 7, 2009
Are You Talented or Are You Determined?
Posted by Magnolia at 10:03 AM
Labels: determination, editor, fiction writing, goals, selling, unfinished manuscripts
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2 comments:
Talent is only the indication that with practice and polish, you might get somewhere. Unless we are talking about Mozart and other such prodigies.
For the rest of us plebians, determination, stick-to-it-iveness, learning, and practice, practice, practice make up 90% of our future success.
Talent lends those with it the ear, the vision, and the flare that those without it have to work even harder for. Talent doesn't mean the task of applying it is any easier.
Ah, I love this, "...Mr. Doubt sings a duet in your head with his friend Mr. Critical."
Had me smiling. What an accurate way of putting it!!
God's timing is what I say. Sure, I want to get an agent. Sure, I want to get published. Sure, I put tons of time and money into trying to make those things happen. . . BUT, God's will. God's timing. . . we we'll see what happens.
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