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

Friday, August 19, 2011

Qualities of a Writer Part VII: Perseverance

per·se·ver·ance[pur-suh-veer-uhns] noun-- steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. 


I've saved the best--or most important--for last. You've probably seen the quote at the top of the blog.

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


As soon as I saw that quote in my fighter combat book, I knew I had to make it my motto. Perseverance is the hallmark of my life and in my opinion the single most essential quality for a writer at any level to possess. It is patience, courage, enthusiasm and confidence all rolled into one.

You write a book and your crit partners tear it to shreds.  
Keep on going!

You submit and submit and submit and submit and gather hundreds of rejections.  
Keep on going!

You get writers block and stop believing you can achieve anything.  
Keep on going!

You sell a book or story, but it doesn't end up being published.  
Keep on going!

You publish a book, but it gets lousy reviews.  
Keep on going!

There is never, ever any excuse to quit. And I don't mean just at writing, either. Life is amazing and fantastic and downright hard!

You can do it!

19 comments:

Aubrie said...

Great pep talk, Angie! Now back to submitting... :)

Christine Rains said...

Thank you for the pep talk! :) And I agree, perseverance is the most important quality of a writer.

Rebecca Blevins said...

I agree, Angie! Perseverance is one of the most important qualities a writer can have, and one I need to develop. :) Thanks!

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Angie, you're one fabulous friend and mentor. Thanks for being so awesome! *HUGS*

♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥
Can Alex save Winter from the darkness that hunts her?
YA Paranormal Romance, Darkspell coming fall of 2011!

tiffany said...

sometimes i don have the patticence to perserver thanks for the encourgement

MaDonna Maurer said...

I'm going to write this and post it at my writing desk. Perfect! Thanks!

Terry W. Ervin II said...

Right on, Coach Angie! :)

Angie said...

Thanks, you guys! You can always count on me for some encouragement. And, lucky me, I can always count on you too!

Melanie Goldmund said...

I think my perseverance is more restless than ceaseless, actually.

Sometimes I think that my writing journey is like being stuck in traffic -- stop and go, stop and go, stop, stop, stop, stop, go a little, stop ... why is there never a good song on the radio during the stopping times! ARGH!

Well, anyway, you get the picture. Is that true for anybody else, or is it just a product of my ADD, where I get distracted, go away, then force myself to remember what I was doing, and come back to it?

Very inspiring picture, Angie! *discreetly wipes away drool* Baron von Richthofen is hot. I mean, inspiring. Very inspiring.

Angie said...

Hot and the world's greatest flying ace! I like the traffic analogy, Melanie. Thanks for stopping by!

Shallee said...

This makes me think of the line in the movie Galaxy Quest: Never give up, never surrender! Perseverance is absolutely key in writing.

Unknown said...

Reminds me of Finding Nemo. "Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming."

I love that quote on perseverance. I think I could persevere if I could find the motivation. ():)

LTM said...

oh, thanks, Angie! This is exactly the point I'm at right now... feeling so discouraged.

Keep on going! :o) <3

Carolyn V said...

Great advice! Just what I need right now. =)

Abby Annis said...

Awesome advice! Just about ready to start submitting again, so perfect timing on this! Great post! :)

Cindy Beck, author said...

So true. Perseverance even trumps talent! Thanks for the advice.

Angie said...

Thanks, Cindy. I appreciate you stopping by.

Anonymous said...

Just the spoonful of sugar AND medicine I needed Angie, thank you. =)

Angie said...

You're welcome, Samuel. Thanks so much for stopping by!