Stress

You could write a great book and yet have no one ever buy it or much less, read it.

Another person could write a mediocre book and it ends up flying off of the shelves.

Which is which, is often subjective. But either way, it’s likely both authors put a lot of time and effort into their work. Both had to overcome their fears and their naysayers to take the leap and publish.

What You’re Doing Is Valuable

Just because something doesn’t seem all that great doesn’t mean a lot of work wasn’t put into it. Just because something seems simple doesn’t mean it wasn’t a challenge to create. The same goes for something that seems brilliant―it doesn’t mean the author wasn’t afraid it was total crap and would be laughed at.

Not everything we create will be a NYT’s bestseller or the next blockbuster of the summer. That doesn’t mean it’s not good. It doesn’t mean you didn’t work your ass off to create it. Sometimes it’s a timing thing, sometimes it’s not as good as you hoped it would be, and sometimes the work you do now is just practice for the better work you’re going to do later. And you know what? That’s okay. It’s still important.

I say a lot in my new book Serious Writers Never Quit and I hope the ultimate message you get from it is that what you’re doing is valuable. It means something. Even if you never read the book, I want you to know that. Don’t quit. Whatever you’re working on right now, whether it’s in contemplation or in actualization, is important.

Everything is a process. Everything we do is about growth.

I hope what I created yesterday meant something and will stand the test of time. I hope what I create today is better than what I created yesterday. Just as I hope what I create tomorrow will mean something too. I hope everything I create means something to someone, somewhere.

We don’t always know if people will ‘get it’ before we create something. And you know what? Sometimes we won’t know afterward either. It doesn’t mean you didn’t create something valuable and it doesn’t mean you didn’t work hard. But with that said, I’ve worked hard on everything I’ve put out there. And with that said, some people still think I’m lazy and my work sucks (Hell, I’ve told myself that on more than an occasion, too).

I have no control over what other people think and, quite frankly, neither do you. We can only press on, whether people realize what we’re trying to do or not, or for that matter, how much sweat goes into it.

So please allow me to share something with you, just this morning a kind person named Will, sent me a message telling me how much my work keeps him going, no matter how much he’s wanted to give up.

Will, if you’re reading this, let me just say, back at you, my friend. Thank you.

Sometimes I’ve wanted to give up on this whole writing thing too. There are days, weeks, and even years, when the work can be all-consuming and there’s very little payoff. Sometimes people don’t realize what goes into your work. Sometimes others think what you do is effortless. And, more often than we’d like to admit, there are those who simply don’t care.

So, yes, sometimes it’s all a bit much, and I have to wonder, what am I doing it for?

And then, seemingly out of nowhere, just when I’m wondering if anyone really, truly cares, a message like Will’s comes along.

Every now and then we need to be reminded of what’s important.

Keep writing. Keep creating whatever it is you create. Never quit. You might not hear from them as often as you’d like, but there are those who truly care and appreciate you.

Your. Words. Matter.

Curl up in a blanket if you have to. Cry, if you have to. Hell, get a little drunk if you have to. But know this, when you’re done, it will be time to unsheathe your warrior’s pen and get back to creating that which only you can create!

Serious Writers Never Quit.