In 1993 I deposited ten manuscript submissions into the post office bin…and mentally began spending the money. It was a no-brainer. After all, I’d written the next bestselling novel, one worthy of bidding wars and movie options. Oh my, what was I going to do when five publishers wanted my book at the same time?
My dream was going to come true, and I knew it wouldn’t take long!
Slo-mo forward ten years. Yes, TEN YEARS. My first copy of that published book finally arrived. I cradled it to my chest and cried.
What a hard journey. Ten years was such a long time. Of course, I know now that the first five years were wasted, all because I was looking for The Shortcut. You know the one. The one that allows you to zoom past the poor dummy who doesn’t have access to The Secret.
Rather than repeat that journey here, please check out past instructional posts here, here, and here, where you’ll learn The Secret of how I finally found The Shortcut. (Actually, you’ll find the right path–the real path–to publication. The three posts I listed here are just a beginning. There are lots more posts in the Archives that cover what you need to know.)
But the reason I want to address this subject and ask you read these posts is because of a verse I found today. I wish I had seen it and recognized its value all those years ago.
Proverbs 20:21 says, “An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end.”
I can look back now and know that I was one who did NOT need to succeed early. Oh, I wanted to quit a thousand times during those ten years, but praise God, I didn’t. As it turned out, those struggles made a huge impact on so much more than my writing. They changed my life.
Through ten years of trials and tribulations, I learned:
- to try and fail, and try again
- to talk less and listen more
- to receive criticism with humility
- to recognize greatness when I see it, and opportunity when I don’t
- to have patience and grace for others who also search for the elusive shortcut
I know the world isn’t a very different place because of my books and my journey…but I am.
And I’m so blessed.
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Christian Writer’s Den Writers Pen More Than Half a Million
Words!
That’s right, as of August 31, 2011, you’ve written over 528,000 words. Congratulations to these Christian Writer’s Den readers who’ve received another entry into the end-of-the-year drawing for $100!
43. Patty Willett-7,594 words
44. Tim Knopp-11,319 words
45. Cindy Patterson-11,187 words
46. Marilyn Turk-13,882 words
47. Eddie Snipes-13,341 words
September’s up and running, so now’s the time to get to work on your goal of 7000 new words on a book project this month. Need more info? Check out the MoGo7000 guidelines here.
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Calling All Kudos
Have you:
- Signed a contract?
- Released a book?
- Developed a new blog or website?
- Had an article published in print or online?
- Won an award?
If so, we want to celebrate with you! Send me your good news and it’ll be announced in next week’s blog.
Be sure to use this format:
- Your name
- Your state
- Link to your blog or website
- Your good news
- Link to your good news, if online
Can’t wait to hear what you’ve have been up to!
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Parting Words from The Word…
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3
I pray God’s blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
