Monday, June 30, 2014

Just Two Options: Quit or Keep Trying by Linda S. Glaz


Open the email, take a phone call. Another publisher has stopped its fiction line, dropped historicals, decided to go edgy, not go edgy. Each day brings new pieces of information in this ever-changing industry.
We share the info with each other, with clients, with prospective clients and often panic sets in. One less place to go with a new author. Or a published author looking for a new home (especially now that they are out at one of those closing its fiction).
The fact of the matter is, every aspect of life is always changing. And the literary world is no different except that it seems to be evolving faster than most.
A writer can look at it one of two ways. The changes are either a challenge or a defeat. A chance to grow with the times or throw up your hands waving a white flag. Besides, what may look like bad news today, could be opportunity tomorrow.
I may sound like a broken record (for those of you who remember the sound), but if a writer wants to succeed, he or she will accept that there are only two options for writers as the bad news increases day to day: he can either quit or she will keep trying. There’s no other road to success.
The prize goes to the man or woman who continues to fight to the end.
Perseverance.

 

9 comments:

Rick Barry said...

Agreed. Discouragements happen, but new opportunities arise, and new doors open. Always better to be standing there knocking when the door opens rather than off somewhere else...

Linda Glaz said...

Absolutely, Rick. In the last couple weeks, so many folks have asked what's going on? And there are no definitive answers, but you hit it on the head. Be waiting, taking advantage of opportunities, and being there when the moment is right. Everyone can cry oh, poor me, but few look beyond to what the future holds.

Elaine Stock said...

Thanks for this encouragement, Linda. Lately, I've come to realize and accept that He is leading me--all of us--to the place where He wants us to be, and that place will always be the right opportunity at the most perfect time.

Linda Glaz said...

It's always hard to remember, for all of us, as we're impatient and want responses asap!

Diana Flegal said...

My Dad used to say, "When my ship comes in I don't want to be at the airport". :-)

Linda Glaz said...

I love that, Diana! My dad was full of little sayings as well. Don't you miss that?

Davalyn Spencer said...

Amen.

Unknown said...

Great perspective, Linda!

Linda Glaz said...

Thanks, Julie. Sometimes just breaking it down to its basic elements is helpful. Quit or keep trying really are the only choices. I waited 20 years for publication, and believe you me, it was a long 'keep trying'.