Paths to Becoming a Successful Writer

Becoming a successful writer is hard work. Many months or years may go by before your work is published. Writers take personal ownership of success through diligence and perseverance. It's not easy to work at something regularly for a long time and not receive a monetary reward right away. 

But then there are those times in life when we seem to be in the right place at the right time. An opportunity comes along when we weren't expecting it! (or working for it). I think it's a good thing to anticipate those moments.


We're all on a path.

We know our destination, but what the scenery looks like on the way isn't always predictable. We're human and there is only so much we can accomplish. We have to be careful we don't bury our heads in so much work, we become anxious, frustrated, exhausted, and even depressed when success seems out of reach.

Whatever your belief system, I am sure we can agree, the moments of being at the right place at the right time comes to all of us now and then. A breakthrough, a connection, an idea, someone who knows someone - just "happens" to come our way. It's not luck for a certain few. It's a gift sent to us in different ways and meant to encourage, inspire, and yes, even clear the path for success. 

The important part is to remember and be grateful for those moments. It will give you a healthy, balanced perspective.  

By all means, work your hardest. But don't forget to revel in the expectation of being in the right place at the right time. Enjoy your path!

How about you? Have you had a moment that seemed to come out of nowhere, helping you succeed in your writing career? What was it and what did it do for you?

~~~




Kathleen Moulton is a freelance writer.  You can find her passion to bring encouragement and hope to people of all ages at When It Hurts -http://kathleenmoulton.com/






Photo Credit: Etrusia UK / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

10 comments:

T. Forehand said...

Thanks for the encouraging words. We are on a path and we can do so much to make the way successful.

Suzanne Lieurance said...

Hi, Kathy,

I continue to have moments - or opportunities - that seem to come out of nowhere and help move my writing, or writing career, forward. My first book contract seemed to come out of nowhere simply because I volunteered to help other children's writers in my area. I guess what they say is true - "what goes around, comes around."

Happy writing!

Magdalena Ball said...

It really helps me to think of this as an ongoing journey - rather than a destination. Just fronting up each day and doing the work is the point. I do like to look for the moments though Kathleen - the serendipity of finding just the piece of information you want or being contacted by someone for a project that aligns exactly with what you need to be doing.

Mary Jo Guglielmo said...

Great advice. It is a journey. You need to climb the hills and move through the valleys.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson said...

I strongly believe that as writers we can be in charge of our own careers these days. But having said that, I also believe that part of succeeding is recognizing opportunity when it comes visiting. When we learn to do that, it makes the path lots smoother! (-:

Shirley Corder said...

Thanks Kathy, This was a good reminder for me today. Yes, Strength Renewed was a direct result of not just one but many such moments. An "out of the blue" gift of an American Christian writers' conference for a start. The book proposal landing up in the hands of the one editor I wasn't going to show it too as I knew she wouldn't want it. (She did!) These and other "happenings" can be read in full at http://www.shirleycorder.com/ViewPage.asp?StrengthRenewed.

Kathleen Moulton said...

Thank-you, ladies, for sharing your thoughts.

I wish you all unexpected moments that bring you great success!

Kathy

Karen Cioffi said...

Kathy, well said. Being able to 'see' opportunity when it comes a knockin' is important. Being prepared to answer the door is just as important, if not more so. :)

D. Jean Quarles said...

So often it seems I have those moments. Now I wonder if I show enough gratitude for them.

Kathleen Moulton said...

Great point, Karen! Got to be prepared.

Jean, it's true we all need to pause and be grateful.

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