Success only flourishes in perseverance -- ceaseless, restless perseverance.
--Baron Manfred Von Richtofen

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Undaunted

Here's my husband putting up garden supports in defiance of six inches of new snow in the garden. On April 4. Why is he so undaunted? Probably because he knows the snow won't last forever, the weather will warm up, and his garden will be just fabulous. (You can read about it at his gardening blog.)

When it comes to writing, I've been feeling daunted lately, along with other unpleasant "D" words like doubtful, despairing, and depressed. I've been getting rejection letters at an unprecedented rate. I think that's because I've been submitting at an unprecedented rate, but it's still got me down. If you remember my first post, last fall I was really on fire. I felt certain that writing was part of God's plan for me. But with all the setbacks lately, I'm starting to doubt if that is really the case. But then I remembered what a wise friend taught me. You can't judge whether you are doing the right thing by how easy it is or how well everything is going. I mean, did I really expect that there wouldn't be any more rejection? That I'd instantly become a best-selling author? Okay, whatever. Does Tracy think a little snow means he'll never grow a garden? I don't think so. I'm trying to remember that just because things aren't going as great as I'd like doesn't mean I should just give up. Right?

Well, I hope I'm right, because I really don't want to quit, and I do believe that the things I felt last fall are still true, and that God is with me, no matter what. Thanks for the little reminder, Tracy.

7 comments:

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Just remember that sometimes it is the lessons we learn ALONG the way that really count. :D

Linz said...

She's right! And we can't appreciate the sweet without tasting the bitter! (I know - profound!!) =D

Love you! Hang in there and keep that pen moving! You have loyal fans out here who can't wait for your next story!

Kate Karyus Quinn said...

Oh, I like the comparison to believing in the garden although it's covered in snow, and believing in your writing even through rejections.

Just keep going, and know that we all go through these "snowy" patches:)

Nat said...

Wow, what your friend said about "the right thing" is profound. I've noticed in my own experience, that it's when I feel like I'm pushing against a wall and getting the most resistance, it's always turned out to have been the right thing. Keep goin; that Stupid Wall will realize you're a great writer soon enough. I bet the writing on it says so.

Angie said...

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone!

Danyelle L. said...

You can do it! The times that are the hardest also seem to be the times when we learn the most. Hang in there. :)

mandi said...

You're awesome Angie. I really admire you for getting out there and DOING IT. You keep plugging away and put yourself out there, even though you know there's a chance for rejection. That is huge! I am still in the "saying I want to, but not doing it" stage. So you don't know how much you inspire me. Keep going!!