Into the Fire

Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God

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Passionate: right or wrong. Writes love stories with a passion. Raw Romantic Redemptive

What have ya got?

 

Travis Thrasher recently posted that he was hard-headed enough to keep banging on the doors of publishing until one of them opened. http://thejourneyiseverything.blogspot.com/2011/03/keep-on-knocking-writing-tip-64.html  

 

So how ‘bout you? Are you stubborn enough to persevere—or should we use the religiously-correct term of “determined”?

 

Does your belief in your work, your intention to improve, your dedication to craft, make you impervious to rejection?  

 

Admittedly, I’m stubborn. But maybe not in the way this publishing business requires. Maybe I haven’t got what it takes to be considered a viable author in CBA.

 

I can gut out a lot of things but I’m old enough now where they have to make sense to me. Maybe if I was younger, I could use my innate resilience to keep plying my trade at the usual places.

 

So tell me: what have ya got? Are you gutsy enough, determined enough, believe in the system enough to keep pursuing the dream? I hope you are and you do . . .

 

 

Lord, I’m grateful for wherever you take me. Help me to follow you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

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9 responses to “What have ya got?”

  1. Brenda Anderson Avatar
    Brenda Anderson

    That was an excellent post by Travis Thrasher & a good reminder. By nature, I’m NOT a persistent person. In my pursuit of publication, I believe this is a lesson God’s working hard at teaching me. I’m always amazed when people comment that I’m tenacious. Really, I’m not. I would love to give up on trying to get published, but God won’t let me.
    In yesterday’s sermon, a church leader talked about King Saul and how he got impatient waiting for God to act, so Saul took matters into his own hands. I saw myself right there. I believe God has not called me to self-publish (where I know he’s called others), yet that temptation is always before me. I’ve a bajillion excuses why I should self-publish, but to do that would be an act of disobedience. I wouldn’t be any better than Saul.
    So, with reluctance I press on, because I know it’s the right thing to do–not because I’m gutsy or determined.

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  2. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Well, Brenda, I think you just proved your determined gutsy behavior. You’re determined and gutsy enough to do the right thing–to pursue the path God designed for you. It isn’t easy and it requires a tenacious spirit when we lean in the opposite direction from His instruction. Blessing follows obedience, and He will honor your commitment to His instruction. Good for you.

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  3. Mark H. Avatar
    Mark H.

    First, I have to ask if I’m resilient enough to force myself to find the time to work! Then we’ll worry about the system…

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  4. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    There’s a season coming for you, Mark. When it is, I don’t know. Just do it when the time comes and reap the benefits of your obedience. It would be a shame to waste your talent.

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  5. Mark H. Avatar
    Mark H.

    Thanks, Nicole. You’re always full of encouragement.

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  6. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Just statin’ the facts, man. 😉

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  7. BK Jackson Avatar
    BK Jackson

    I’ve only submitted my manuscript once and it was rejected, to which I thought: “Cool! I was rejected!” (which is a billion times better than not submitting and I really did value the learning experience from the rejection and didn’t take it personally).
    But that doesn’t exactly make me the voice of experience to know how much guts I’ve got. But I don’t see myself stopping any time soon.

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  8. dayle Avatar
    dayle

    The responses I’ve gotten confirm that my craft is of publishable quality. The only thing keeping me from being published is pitching a story a publisher wants. My novel had some very close calls so all I need to do is keep writing and eventually the right story will find a home.
    The only thing I’m worried about is that I truly love the story I’ve written and I’m not sure I can write a better one. Time will tell.

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  9. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Brenda J., you’re right. Some very good writers have gotten a bajillion rejections before somebody wised up to their talent. Keep on keepin’ on!
    Dayle, absolutely of publishable quality, and that story warrants a risk. Don’t give up on it but write some more. One day . . .

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