Determination and Perseverance

Not that long ago…I wasn’t going to give up writing but I did wonder exactly what kind of a career I was going to have.

I’ve been writing since high school, but I only started pursuing it as a career in 2009 when I sent out my first story. Over the years, I’d submit things here and there while running a now-defunct small business selling handmade jewelry and for the last number of years, freelancing and ghostwriting articles, short stories and books for others. 

But my love of writing never waned, even if I wasn’t racking up a ton of publishing credits. Still, when everyone else is getting publishing deals and has new stories, novels, novellas and all those other cool things coming out, it isn’t that strange to feel like you’re being left behind. 

Knowing there was no way I was going to give up, I looked at my work and set out to fix the things I could control. My craft. My storytelling ability. 

Over the last few years, I’ve been taking a ton of workshops (thanks in part to being granted the HWA Scholarship in 2018) – classes from Michael Knost and Nancy Kilpatrick; a bunch from Richard Thomas; most recently ones from Kristi DeMeester, Gwendolyn Kiste, David Corbett and soon, Stephanie M. Wytovich. And each one has given me something to add to my arsenal, a way to be a better storyteller.

This past year, I’ve had 12 short stories purchased for publication.  Two poems, as well. And 11 pieces of micro-fiction published. That’s more than all the other years I’ve been submitting stories combined.  

I know it’s natural to compare yourself to other writers. I do it all the time. So if you see me continually posting new publication news, I don’t want you to get discouraged if you aren’t doing the same. We all move at our own pace. For me, it’s all about knowing in my heart I could never give up writing, even if it’s taking me longer to reach my goals than I expected.

Don’t stop trying. Don’t give up on that thing you want the most.

I might never get a big publishing deal. But maybe that isn’t my focus. To have readers pick up my work, to enjoy it, and to share that joy with me – that’s the thing that compels me to get back behind the keyboard every day. The thing that drives me to keep improving. That’s what inspires me.