Blog

2022 Encouragement for the Writer
Tuesday, January 4, 2022 by Cindy Sproles

2022 is a new year. Duh...right? Of course it is, but as we begin a new year, encouragement to push ahead is important. Start out your new writing year on the right foot. Change your attitude from whinny to determined. Here are some thoughts from my own walk to publishing. Did I grow weary? Yes. Did I feel a little sorry for myself? Yep. Everyone does. But I perservered and you can too. Be prepared for the bumps and toe stumpers. Bandage them up and move ahead because you are a writer.

My first writers conference was . . . well . . . intimating. I attended alone. The days before GPS and maneuvering my way through the one-way streets of downtown Asheville was a little disorienting. Why Rand McNally would run me through downtown Asheville when the interstate was direct was beyond me!

The line of conferees waiting to check-in wound around three rows thick. Peers were reunited, chattering about their writing news. All I knew was, I wanted to be a writer.

If this wasn’t enough, my hand oozed poison ivy. Wrapped loosely in gauze, I resembled a mummy. I made my way to a small sitting area where I tried not to scratch at the muck. Soon an attractive young woman sat next to me. She eyed me and the menagerie of bandages before she leaned close and whispered, “I heard people were itching to get in here. I just didn’t think it was true.”

I stared as the edges of her lips turned up, and she burst into laughter. I’d made my first writing friend, the wonderful Gina Holmes. That was the better part of fifteen years ago. So Gina, if I never said thank you, forgive me. And THANK YOU!

That first conference, I was out of place, awkward, and uncomfortable, but the one thing that kept me plodding through the discomfort was the desire placed in my heart. I wanted to be a writer.

Ten years later, that desire has not changed. I still want to be a writer – a better writer. Stronger. Yet getting to the goal is not easy. We must learn the craft. Make time to write and push forward to our best work.

Your first writing decision is what type of writer do you want to be? Is your desire to be a knuckle-down, determined-to-be-published author or a recreational writer? Only you can make those decisions.

It’s essential to weave your way down the writing pathway that gives you a clear view of your passion. It determines your future as an author. If writing for joy is all you want to do, that’s fine. Learn to write to the best of your ability. Should your desire to become published, then learn the craft and accept the challenge that follows:

Publication is a slow process – Unfortunately, it can’t be rushed. The average publication time for new writers is five to eight years. I chose to “wait” on publication knowing the time frame of acceptance was filled with scrapes and bumps. IT WAS WELL EARNED when I secured a contract, and my writing was top-notch. Self-publishing wasn’t an option in those days. Writers had to wait for traditional publishers to take notice. I still think this was a good thing.

Believing in myself – I had to learn to accept rejection as part of the process. It wasn’t personal. My work wasn’t rejected because I wasn’t nice enough. It was rejected because it wasn’t ready, and I needed to continue honing. Stomping off and insulting the publisher because I wasn’t ready to publish was childish. The adage “good things come to those who wait” had new meaning. I had to believe in the desire that burned in my heart – I wanted to be a writer.

pixabay.com & sweetlouiseI developed an attitude of gratitude – Of course, we think our work is perfect, and often we’re a bit offended when it’s rejected, but creating the right attitude from the beginning takes our writing experience to a new level. It allows us to give up the attitude of entitlement, letting us focus on the work that must be accomplished to make our piece sing to the hearts of those who read it. Be grateful for the guidance of those who offer critique. Learn from their experience. Rejoice in refining a good work into an excellent work. Your time of publication will come.

Understand the “Moment” – That sweet friend I mentioned had already published two fiction novels, when she asked, “Cindy, where do you stand on this Appalachian novel?” My nonchalant response was, “Don’t know. I’ve given it to my agent. She’s shopping it, and I’ve moved on to the next project.”

Nothing stunned me more than for her to say, “Then publication will happen soon.” The thought process behind her wisdom was simple. When we climb to the point we have done our best on a project, then release it – we’ve reached a level in our writing career that marks excellence in our craft. In other words, we do our very best to make every effort to edit and clean up the work. Then we accept it and move on ahead. Spinning our wheels ends. We come to grips with “the moment” we know our work is the best it will be. Publication came very soon when I stopped obsessing with the past project.

I always wanted to be a writer. It gnawed and picked at my heart until I finally listened to the sweet call God offered me to use my gifts. My prayer continues “to be a writer,” and the desire burns hotter than ever before.

What is your desire, and are you willing to forge ahead through the challenges to be a writer? Passion and the love of the craft drive us to stay the course. Before you know it, you will no longer just want to be a writer. You are a writer. Start your new year BELIVING THAT!

 

Photo 1 used by permission pixabay, christy1 & sweetlouise

Share This Blog:


Comments

Deata From PA At 1/22/2022 3:04:01 PM

I enjoyed this post so much I saved it to read again. A number of things have given me a good swift kick in the rear and I’m finally typing my first official attempt at a manuscript! Thank you.

Cathy Mayfield From PA At 1/6/2022 3:30:31 PM

To be blunt, I want to be a novelist. Period. I've studied texts, attended classes and conferences, taught novel writing, and edited our daughter's first and second novels. It's my turn. I'm willing - but have no support at home. "Family comes first" is my family's motto. Guess who gets called most?

Elizabeth H. Van Lie From Montrose, CO At 1/5/2022 1:37:27 PM

I am a writer because friends corrected my articles, poems and stories. They opened my mind and enlarged my small thoughts. I am a writer because God said, "Go."

Edwina E Cowgill From GA At 1/5/2022 12:17:03 PM

Thank you for this encouraging post! I am a writer, but I want to be a better writer!

Joyce McCullough From Tennessee At 1/5/2022 8:47:46 AM

Thank you, Cindy. You have always been an encourager and an inspiration to me.

kelly evans From At 1/5/2022 7:29:38 AM

Needed this today. Sometimes we have to ask ourselves the hard questions and wait for the answer. Then. Then we pull up our sleeves and get to work. Thank you. ??

Mountain Breeze Writer


Previous Posts

Deep and Wide or Sick and Tired?
Cindy Sproles
12/18/2023

What Would Jesus Do?
Cindy Sproles
11/10/2023

Chick, Chick, Chick
Cindy K. Sproles
9/30/2023

In My Inperfections
Cindy K. Sproles
8/27/2023

By the Hair of my Chinny, Chin, Chin
Cindy Sproles
7/21/2023

What Dumb Cluck!
Cindy K. Sproles
6/29/2023

Where to Draw the Line?
Cindy Sproles
4/27/2023

Submit! ME?
Cindy Sproles
4/14/2023

Why Are People So Mean?
Cindy Sproles
3/30/2023

I'm Getting Old
Cindy K. Sproles
3/3/2023

To Hear or Not to Hear
Cindy Sproles
1/28/2023

Happy New Year, Happy New Year News
Cindy Sproles
1/9/2023

Happy Neuter Year
Cindy Sproles
12/31/2022

Facing Reality - Aging Parents, Aging Children
Cindy Sproles
12/30/2022

Word of the Year for 2023
Cindy Sproles
12/24/2022

My Grown Up Christmas List - Three Things to Adulting the Right Way
Cindy Sproles
12/13/2022

Weebles Wobble but They Don't Fall Down
Cindy Sproles
12/6/2022

The Man In the Middle
Cindy Sproles
11/24/2022

Diversity is More Than Color
Cindy K. Sproles
11/14/2022

Love in Motion
Cindy Sproles
11/7/2022

Deadbeat or Deadline
Cindy Sproles
10/31/2022

Backstory - The Reader Doesn't Care!
Cindy Sproles
10/18/2022

The Color of Scared - The Final in Seeking Spiritual Renewal
Cindy Sproles
10/14/2022

The Color of Scared - Second of Three in Seeking Spiritual Freedom from Fear
Cindy Sproles
10/9/2022

The Color of Scared - First of Three in Seeking Spiritual Freedom from Fear
Cindy Sproles
10/3/2022

Fog, Mist, Morning
Cindy Sproles
9/29/2022

From a Rooster to a Hen
Cindy Sproles
9/24/2022

Writing from the Hip
Cindy Sproles
9/19/2022

Soggy Scrubby and the Long Goodbye
Cindy Sproles
9/13/2022

Wramping Up for ACWC
Cindy Sproles
9/10/2022

Rest Not, Want MORE!
Cindy Sproles
9/3/2022

Reality for Me
Cindy Sproles
8/17/2022

The Truth in Publishing
Cindy Sproles
8/11/2022

Beyond
Cindy Sproles
8/4/2022

Working with an Editor
Cindy Sproles
7/7/2022

Two on the Way
Cindy Sproles
2/26/2022

The Party's Overrrrr!
Cindy Sproles
2/22/2022

2022 Encouragement for the Writer
Cindy Sproles
1/4/2022

Every Day is New
Cindy Sproles
1/1/2022

Beginning Anew (An Eldercare Note)
Cindy Sproles
12/31/2021

Five Ways to Kill Your Publishing Opportunity
Cindy Sproles
12/30/2021

A Dollar Wisely Spent
Cindy Sproles
12/28/2021

Silent Night
Cindy Sproles
12/25/2021

Back Pocket Projects
Cindy Sproles
12/21/2021

Things are Back on Track - I think!
Cindy Sproles
12/18/2021

Wonky is Hard
Cindy Sproles
4/25/2021

Present Yourself Approved and Professional
Cindy Sproles
1/28/2021

Integrity - An Authors Valued Trait
Cindy Sproles
1/8/2021

Homonyms – Did You Sea/See Them Their/There?
Cindy Sproles
1/8/2021

Writer Self-Care - Welcome 2021
Cindy Sproles
1/4/2021

Hope in a New Year
Cindy Sproles
1/1/2021

One More Christmas Thought - Taken from ChristianDevotions.US blog
Cindy Sproles
12/25/2020

A Christmas Saga - Joy in the Season
Cindy Sproles
12/24/2020

When Writing Grows Hard
Cindy Sproles
12/22/2020

Permission to Quit - No Way
Cindy Sproles
12/18/2020

The Power of the Pen
Cindy Sproles
12/15/2020

The Good, The Bad, and the Memoir
Cindy Sproles
12/11/2020

The Immeasurable Power in You
Cindy Sproles
12/8/2020

Scratch It Till It Bleeds
Cindy Sproles
12/5/2020

Closing Up Shop - Renting or Selling Our Parent's Home
Cindy Sproles
9/5/2020

Humility in Writing
Cindy Sproles
7/7/2020

Let it Percolate
Cindy Sproles
7/3/2020

Mentoring - A Wise Choice
Cindy Sproles
6/29/2020

Divorce My Words?
Cindy Sproles
6/23/2020

Icy Self-Talk Will Freeze Your Writing
Cindy Sproles
6/19/2020

The Power in You
Cindy Sproles
6/16/2020

Waiting
Cindy Sproles
6/12/2020

Who Really Sells Your Books
Cindy Sproles
6/9/2020

Social Media When You Aren't Social Media Minded
Cindy Sproles
4/20/2020

What Really Is Important
Cindy Sproles
4/12/2020

In the Midst of Chaos
Cindy Sproles
3/17/2020

The Heart of God
Cindy Sproles
2/14/2020

Writing in a Pickle
Cindy Sproles
1/30/2020

The Adult Day Care Alternative
Cindy Sproles
1/23/2020

Social Media Blitz
Cindy Sproles
1/19/2020

The Joys of Aging
Cindy Sproles
12/30/2019

The Reality of Who We Are?
Cindy Sproles
12/22/2019

Publishing Trends
Cindy Sproles
11/30/2019

Be Thankful ANYWAY
Cindy Sproles
11/28/2019

Writing Your Mission Statement
Cindy Sproles
11/19/2019

Perseverance to Write
Cindy
11/16/2019

Common Sense Tips for When You Write
Cindy Sproles
11/9/2019

The Battle is Fought
Cindy
10/15/2019

Twelve Tidbits of Wisdom from Top Christian Writers
Cindy Sproles
10/5/2019

Pray with Fire
Cindy Sproles
10/3/2019

The Easy In
Cindy Sproles
9/24/2019

The Art of Self-Editing
Cindy Sproles
9/10/2019

Questions, Questions
Cindy Sproles
9/6/2019

15-Minute Appointments - Important Networking
Cindy Sproles
9/3/2019

Don't Close Your Eyes - Bob Hostetler
Cindy Sproles
2/5/2019

Love Your Faculty
Cindy Sproles
10/17/2018

Forging Ahead after Rejection
Cindy Sproles
7/17/2018

cindysproles.com Privacy Policy
Cindy Sproles
6/4/2018

Closing Up Shop - Guiding Seniors to Letting Go
Cindy Sproles
4/9/2018

Publishing Naysayers
Cindy Sproles
3/16/2018

In Prayer - I Write
Cindy Sproles
3/3/2018

Keep Them Reading
Cindy Sproles
1/12/2018

Encouraged - Even When . . .
Cindy Sproles
1/2/2018

Christmas Tears
Cindy Sproles
12/18/2017

Holiday Elder Care - Be an Elder Elf
Cindy Sproles
11/12/2017

Grateful for a Dream I Didn't Know I Had
Cindy Sproles
11/9/2017

Keep Them Reading
Cindy Sproles
11/1/2017

Chicken Soup for the Soul - Writer Call Out
Cindy Sproles
10/27/2017

Five Ways to Assure Your Work will Find the Slush Pile
Cindy Sproles
10/24/2017

23rd Psalm Revisited
Cindy Sproles
10/21/2017

Contentment in Writing
Cindy Sproles
10/19/2017

5 Common Sense Tips to Better Writing
Cindy Sproles
10/10/2017

Overshadowed
Cindy Sproles
8/21/2017

Chicken Soup for the Soul Callout - Stories about Love
Cindy Sproles
8/21/2017

Five Keys to Overcoming Rejection
Cindy Sproles
8/12/2017

Writing Call Out - Chicken Soup for the Soul
Cindy Sproles
8/10/2017

When Words of Encouragement Wane
Cindy Sproles
6/28/2017

Writing Truth with Love
Cindy Sproles
1/13/2017

Oh To Be A Writer
Cindy Sproles
1/4/2017

Why Write?
Cindy Sproles
1/1/2017

Scammed
Cindy Sproles
6/21/2016

The Pain of Unsolicited
Cindy Sproles
3/9/2016

Not Alone: A Literary and Spiritual Companion for Those Confronted with Infertility and Miscarriage
Cindy Sproles
11/21/2015

Thankful Despite . . .
Cindy Sproles
11/20/2015

Stepping Up to Na-No-Wri-Mo
Cindy Sproles
11/16/2015

The Gift of No Gifts
Cindy Sproles
11/2/2015

Writers Be Encouraged
Cindy Sproles
10/15/2015

Keep ‘Em Reading – It’s the Writer’s Responsibility
Cindy Sproles
8/13/2015

Saying Goodbye
Cindy Sproles
7/17/2015

Overcoming the Fear of Writing Failure
Cindy Sproles
7/8/2015

Making the Move – Home to Assisted Living
Cindy Sproles
6/17/2015

I Kid You Not
Cindy Sproles
6/6/2015

Hearing the Call to Foster – Renee McCausey
Cindy Sproles
1/13/2015

Throw Out the Crutches
Cindy Sproles
1/10/2015

So You Were Asked to Be A Beta Reader?
Cindy Sproles
1/10/2015

REJECTIONS – Aaughhh!
Cindy Sproles
1/5/2015

The Bachelor – Stephanie Reed
Cindy Sproles
12/14/2014

The Making of a Servant
Cindy Sproles
11/30/2014

Miracle in a Dry Season Review – Yvonne Lehman
Cindy Sproles
8/27/2014

Write Anyway
Cindy Sproles
8/26/2014

World Blog Tour – Catching Up with Cindy Sproles
Cindy Sproles
7/22/2014

The Progression of Life
Cindy Sproles
7/17/2014

Instrumental Writing Helps – Aaron Gansky
Cindy Sproles
7/4/2014

The Question Saga
Cindy Sproles
6/29/2014

Defy the Night – REVIEW
Cindy Sproles
4/28/2014

When the Work is Hard to Do
Cindy Sproles
4/1/2014

My Heart Belongs to Him
Cindy Sproles
2/14/2014

Review of The Vicar’s Wife
Cindy Sproles
2/2/2014

The In on Self Publishing – Part 2
Cindy Sproles
12/29/2013

The In on Self Publishing – Part 1
Cindy Sproles
12/26/2013

In a Pickle
Cindy Sproles
10/1/2013

Bigger and Better
Cindy Sproles
9/27/2013

Putting SOCIAL back in Media
Cindy Sproles
8/10/2013

After the Conference Ends…
Cindy Sproles
8/8/2013

Here a Tweak, There a Tweak, Everywhere a Tweak, Tweak
Cindy Sproles
8/2/2013

Can You Hear Me Now?
Cindy Sproles
7/23/2013

Golden Years, Cherished Moments
Cindy Sproles
3/20/2013

Broken Heart Syndrome
Cindy Sproles
9/26/2012

What About Our Elders
Cindy Sproles
8/24/2012

A Minute – A Lifetime
Cindy Sproles
8/10/2012

Water, Water – Who’s Got the Water
Cindy Sproles
7/31/2012