One of the hardest parts of being a writer—or honestly, of chasing any dream—is the waiting.
You do the work.
You show up.
You plant the seeds.
And then… nothing happens.
At least, not right away.
It’s tempting to think you’re doing it wrong.
That you’re not good enough.
That you should be faster, bigger, better by now.
But the truth is, dreams don’t bloom overnight.
And the mindset you hold while you wait matters more than you might think.
Here’s how to tend your mindset and stay patient while your writing dreams take root.
Remember: Roots Grow Before Blooms
In nature, most of a plant’s early growth happens underground.
Roots spread wide and deep before anything pokes through the surface.
It’s the same with your writing life.
- The days you write but don’t feel inspired?
- The times you submit and hear nothing?
- The drafts that don’t come together yet?
All of it is root work.
It’s building a foundation you can’t always see—but one you’ll stand on later.
Keep Showing Up Without Measuring Too Soon
One of the biggest mistakes writers make is digging up their seeds to check if they’re growing.
If you constantly measure your worth by external results—likes, sales, praise—you’ll exhaust yourself.
Instead, measure by effort:
- Did you show up today?
- Did you take one small step toward your dream?
- Did you keep the faith when it would’ve been easier to quit?
That’s success.
That’s momentum, even if it’s invisible for now.
Celebrate Signs of Growth (Even Tiny Ones)
Not all progress looks like a book deal or a bestseller list.
Progress can be:
- Finishing a messy first draft.
- Sending a query even though you’re scared.
- Showing up for five minutes on a hard day.
- Feeling a little more confident this week than you did last month.
Small wins are signs of life.
Notice them.
Celebrate them.
The more you acknowledge growth, the more you encourage it.
Be Careful What You Water
Mindset is like soil—it can nourish you or choke you out.
If you spend your time feeding doubts, comparisons, and self-criticism, that’s what will grow.
Instead, water:
- Belief in your journey.
- Gratitude for what’s working.
- Faith that your writing matters.
Choose to feed the good stuff daily.
Even if you have to fake it a little at first.
Trust the Timeline You Can't See
Some seeds bloom fast.
Some take years.
That doesn’t make them any less worthy—or any less beautiful.
You are not behind.
You are not failing.
You are growing at exactly the right pace for your life and your path.
Trust it.
Stay in the Garden
Most people don’t fail because they aren’t talented.
They fail because they get tired of waiting and walk away before the blooms appear.
Stay in the garden a little longer.
Keep tending your dream with care, patience, and love.
The work you’re doing matters—even when it feels slow.
Your season is coming.
And now, for writing tips every weekday morning delivered to your inbox, get your free subscription to The Morning Nudge.
Suzanne Lieurance is the award-winning author of over 40 published books and a Law of Attraction coach for writers.
Learn more about her products and services for writers at writebythesea.com.
2 comments:
Suzanne, what a helpful and motivating advice for authors. I love the analogies "Mindset is like soil—it can nourish you or choke you out" and "Roots grow before blooms." Thanks for sharing!
Just lovely, Suzanne! Your emphasis on appreciating the little things so often gets neglected. It was only recently that my college fraternity sent me a beautiful little pin. It was an “award” of sorts for those who have supported their foundation for women in need. I was going to slip it into a scrapbook. I keep rather than frame it for my office which is something I advocate – – that is, to get the successes out where you will see them again and again, where they will continue to make you aware that what you have been doing even though it requires very little effort and is not famous or well known is important. . So, your article has changed my mind. I’ll order an inexpensive little frame from Amazon and put the pin and the certificate on the wall with other recognition and refuse to underestimate its importance simply because donations are something most anyone can do: the easiest ways to add to our communities is to donate but that doesn’t mean its not important ! That kind of support also has its place and can work as a cheerer- upper as well as any other—and do it on many levels!
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