Tenacity by Terri Weldon

As I sat down to write this post I saw my two adorable West Highland White Terriers and one word popped into my mind – tenacity. When they determine to do something they don’t give up. And in my house, more often than not, their persistence pays off. But that’s a story for another day.

If you’ve been writing long, then no doubt you’ve discovered the need for tenacity and all of its synonyms such as persistence, determination, perseverance, resolve, endurance and many more.

Before you’re published you need to adopt the tenacity my terriers possess in order to learn your craft, write your first novel, and then polish it until it gleams. More often than not you’ll receive at least one rejection letter from an agent or editor during this grueling process. The urge to give up and quit will be strong. So sink your teeth into your writing and refuse to give up no matter what obstacles the world throws at you.   

 

 

Know what? I hope I don’t sound like the voice of gloom, but the need for tenacity doesn’t go away after you’re published, if anything the trait becomes more important. Fears start bombarding you. What if I never sell another book? What if I can’t find an agent? What if my sales are too low? It took me three years to write the first book in this series. What made me think I could write the second book in six months? That’s when the terrier in you kicks in with tenacity. Take a deep breath and keep writing. After all, that’s how you became published to begin with.

 

And then there are the demands on your time: children, day jobs, committees, spouses, aging parents and a hundred other things. That’s when you have to buckle down and decide if you’re in this for the long haul. Am I doing what God desires of me? If you answer yes then keep plugging along. God will give you the endurance and time to write. He will help you carve out an hour in the morning or late at night to write. The strength to turn off the television and read a craft book instead. And sorry folks, but I’m not talking about a knitting book. Instead read a book that will help you plot your novel or edit your first draft. Giving up an hour of sleep on a rainy day or turning off your favorite TV program might be hard, but when you’re holding a completed manuscript in your hand you will be glad you did.

I like to think I’m somewhat tenacious. After all, I haven’t given up writing yet, but I know I still have tons of room for improvement before I’m as focused as Crosby and Nolly Grace. What about you? Are you as tenacious as my Westies?

Terri Weldon is a lead analyst by day and an author by night. She enjoys gardening, reading, and shopping for shoes. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction. She lives with her family in Oklahoma. Terri has two adorable Westies – Crosby and Nolly Grace. Terri is a member of ACFW and OCFW, a local chapter of ACFW. Her dream of becoming a published novelist came true in November 2013 when Mistletoe Magic, released from White Rose Publishing.

Readers can connect with Terri:
 

Website: www.TerriWeldon.com.
Blog: Seriously Write

Ten Things I've Learned About Writing by Deborah Vogts

This Wednesday as we continue our Writer’s Journey, we’re privileged to have author Deborah Vogts share what she’s learned along the journey to publication. Her debut novel, Snow Melts in Spring, released in June, 2009. Welcome Deborah!

Ten Things I’ve Learned About Writing

Things I’ve learned since I began writing the Great American Novel, twenty-three years ago in high school:

1. I’ve always heard to “write what you know,” but I’ll add to that, “write what is on your heart.”

2. Join writer’s groups and critique groups to hone your knowledge of the craft.

3. Networking with writers, agents, and editors is important. Plan to attend at least one conference a year.

4. Not only do you need a good handle on basic grammar and style, but your ideas and plotlines must be fresh and interesting to break into today’s market.

5. Learning never stops – always study the craft. Read books and magazines, take an online writing course or one from a local college, and attend writer’s workshops.

6. You can’t give up. The only writer who succeeds is the writer who doesn’t give up.

7. Ninety percent of the battle is completing the book.

8. Your work doesn’t end once the book is written. Marketing is a huge word in today’s publishing world.

9. Not everyone needs and agent, but having one may help you get published.

10. Let God be your guide. Request his help and guidance as you write, each and every day.


Please visit her Web site to find more writing tips and information about Deborah and her books.

Deborah Vogt grew up on a farm in SE Kansas with pigs, cattle, horses and sheep, as well as space to run free. The books she writes are set in the country and are written for those who live in the country, have moved from the country and still hold it in their hearts, or those who have never lived there but long for the simple life it offers. Her Seasons of the Tallgrass Series captures the spirit and dreams of ordinary people living in the Flint Hills of Kansas-one of the last tallgrass prairie regions in the world. Deborah and her husband have three daughters and raise and train American Quarter Horses.