Sunday, January 17, 2010

Fighting the uphill battle as an aspiring author by Johnny Ray







I know when facing a mountain side of reason to reconsider it appears to be overwhelming. You could simply give up and try something different or think of a way around it. But sooner or later the fact remains to see what is at the top you have to make it there first. Looking back later, the climb can be an interesting reminder, a way of showing others how to proceed.






Yes, at times it is important just to be able to hang on to how far you have come. The support groups built along the way can help, but it is important to find the rocks that will give you one more chance to climb one more flight.



There is a saying when climbing--never look down. The same is true in writing. We all have to start somewhere, but it is not where we have to stay. Reaching for one hold after another takes concentration and effort. With each step we gain confidence. We learn what works and what does not.






I know what keeps me going. I never learned how to fail. It may take me longer but the only way I know to become a best selling author is to keep climbing and keep writing everyday.








Today I want to hear what keeps other people going to make it to the top. What are your motivations? How do you continue to climb one day after another?

24 comments:

H.E.A. said...

When you're passionate about something, it's as natural as breathing. You can't NOT do it. There's no other choice. Despite the odds and the obstacles, sometimes you have to have faith in where your intuition is guiding you. There's also the thrill of trying, the thrill of the climb, so to speak. Great post!!

Nyn said...

I think the thrill of the climb is the unknown. No matter what we expect to find at the top it is somehow...different than we imagined but surprisingly wonderful!!
Nyn
from Blog Catalog

Edward G. Talbot said...

for me the key is short term goals. Forget the goal of becoming a bestselling author, what do I want to do today, or this week? And related to that, focus on the things I can control. I can't really control whether an agent or publisher picks up my book. I can't control whether Barnes and Noble or Borders carries it. I can't control whether someone likes it or not. Sure, I have some impact on these things, but not control. So I simply don't focus on the outcome of things that are externally driven.

johnny ray said...

Thanks, and yes I'm very passionate about writing. I must be, I work 10-14 hour days. Getting to the top will be exciting, but having fun along the way is great.

Yordie Sands said...

Hi Sir Johnny... I think the most daunting thing about writing, is not just looking back but also looking toward your goal. I've come to believe that the writing is it's own reward.

I want to finish the work I've started, but it seems to have it's own schedule and my story continues to reveal itself to me regardless of what I want. hehe... go figure... hugzzz

Arabella said...

Johnny -

I'm not sure if it is my stubborness or passion which keeps me going year after year. If something isn't working then I have no problem in re-inventing myself. So many people are afraid of change that they get stuck in their old and unproductive ways, but I've always found it to be exciting...I like challenges! So, I would have to say that challenges, passion and a bit of stubborness all combine to keep me motivated to move forward.

Great post - you got me thinking on this Sunday morning...thanks!

Marie Rhoades
http://SallyLeeHomeAccents.com
http://SallyLeeByTheSea.blogspot.com
http://SallyLeeFragrantHome.blogspot.com
http://ThatGirlCanCook.blogspot.com

johnny ray said...

Edward, I agree. One step at a time, but always knowing the top will be reached in time.
Yordi, I also agree. That is what keeps me working day after day. I always get excited about what my characters have planned for the day.

Anonymous said...

Yes, it does follow the same discipline as climbing a mountain! And I hadn't put writing into the same category before, but I actually used a meditation of climbing a mountain during my last run at childbirthing. Any creative act (whether birthing children or giving birth to artistic creations) could follow that progression. How neat - thanks for posting it :)

geogift said...

Wonderful site +++

http://valentine-geogift.blogspot.com/

http://geogift.blogspot.com/

mortgage21 said...

HI sir Jhon...you have great spirit,..keep spirit with your writing,...

gabriele said...

You take a calculated risk when climbing a mountain of fame. A friend said to me yesterday that she has no compassion for people who risk their life for it. Sometimes, there is the option to go back when unexpected circumstances are too risky. Would you risk your social life, a great love affair or family obligations for reaching a writer's summit of ultimate success. You may notice the odds on the way to the mountain of fame. The prospect of eventual glory may however only be an illusion which blinds you. Would you deserve compassion in such a case?

johnny ray said...

gabriele , I understand; I've been through a lot. Fortunately, I have a wife now that wants me to make it to the top of the mountain and is fully supportive. With this I've no doubt I will succeed. As far as the rest of the world, it will have to wait as this is my focus and my passion now. This is something I think you understand.

Lisa Kessler said...

I keep myself going by promising myself that it will only take one YES! :)

Keeping a sense of humor helps too...

It'll happen eventually... Don't give up! :)

Lisa

Romina said...

I am passionate about writing and it keeps my day better. Of course there are blockages that one need to hurdle but all these make our lives meaningful and exciting.

Amy Clare said...

Like Edward up there said, short-term goals make the little successes a lot more satisfying, and I find if I keep this sort of mentality I can keep doing what I'm doing a lot easier.

Even if I write something that only one person likes, I'm still thrilled that the one person liked it.

And eventually, more and more people will come to appreciate what you're doing.

Summit Your Life said...

“Few persons come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them. There are deep wells of strength that are never used.” (Admiral Richard E. Byrd). Keep forging ahead.
Garrison
www.SummitYourlife.com

johnny ray said...

I agree. The amount of energy inside is more than enough to get the job done. Especially when you see it as one step at a time and each step remains enjoyable.

Daisy Soap Girl said...

Oooh so true. What I do when I find myself in a slump is take a walk or drive to a different environment. I may go the park, a museum, a shopping mall, botanic gardens, anywhere. I always take my camera because one picture can speak a thousand words when least expected.

Unknown said...

I'm impressed.

Anonymous said...

Johnny, I hope to continue their good adventures. Have a good day's work.

johnny ray said...

Thanks I hope to keep climbing and looking for the top. I have some more blogs on writing you should check out also. See a full list here http://www.sirjohn.org/bloglist

tikno said...

Keep the spirit and enjoy the life, a way to keep us on the current achievement. That's what I learned from this post.

Sam D. said...

It inspired me to learn more on writing. For me you need to possess the strength and the courage,
to conquer WHATEVER you choose;
It's the person WHO NEVER GETS STARTED,that is destined FOREVER to lose! We need to just keep going and going :) Best regards

Agnes said...

Wow, what a great post. Thanks so much.