Friday, May 13, 2016

Challenge Yourself

The publishing industry is a very hard nut to crack. I’ve been doing this for years and it definitely has its ups and downs. The most rewarding thing is to get praise for your work, whatever that may be, whether it’s an article, or poem or a full length novel.

I think the challenges are what you put yourself through. It’s how high do you want to go? What are your goals on becoming a published author? Nowadays anyone can publish anything. There are several different ways you can go from posting things online to having a paperback of your own work in your hands.

I’m constantly moving the bar around, to see how far I can go. Although, I’m inching my way upward, it’s an uphill battle. It gets harder with each step. The rejections might play a big role on your advancements. If you’re getting nothing but rejections, it’s even harder to move forward. At times it’s like you’re hitting a brick wall. Some people don’t make it. Some people have it really easy. I can’t compare myself to them. I can only compare myself to me and only me. Here’s the thing. Back to rejections. They can suck the life out of you and cause you to stop writing all together.

Whatever you do, do NOT stop writing. If you love writing, then write. No matter how many rejections you receive, never let anyone take your writing ability away from you. You don’t necessarily have to get published. Maybe that’s not your journey. But don’t cut writing out of your life completely because you feel like a failure. Writing is a great mental exercise and it will keep you healthy!!! Think of it that way.

It really depends on how far you want to go with your writing. It’s always good to challenge yourself. Keep going. There will be so many stumbling blocks along the way, but it will help you become a better writer.


It’s good to set goals in writing. I will write 500 words a day for 3 months. That would be a lot of word power built up right there. I will write in my journal every day. I will write a poem a week. Anything. The goals are limitless. Don’t limit yourself because you feel like you’re not moving forward. You are in your writing. Always remember that.