My husband and I took a recent trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico. One of the fun activities we did there was to climb Atalaya Mountain.
The trail itself isn’t hard (3.4 miles round trip, with only a few steep spots), but the sudden change in elevation made this Texas girl dizzy at first. My husband marched on, no problem, but I made us stop several times to rest. We got hot and sweaty, then it rained on us and we got cold and tired. I wasn’t sure I could make it the top, then, I had an epiphany to help you and me both…
Writing a novel is a lot like climbing a mountain.
Here’s a few reasons why:
Learn to Live with the Unknown
Atalaya Mountain does not have mile markers, so I never knew how far we’d traveled, or how much further we had left to go. The #1 question that kept running through my head as I pressed one was, how much longer?
I asked myself that over and over, but with different emotions behind it: whiny, angry, and sometimes with complete desperation.
The same is true for writing. You constantly question yourself:
When will this story be finished?
Is it any good?
Will readers like it?
Despite all these unknowns, you must keep going. Your story is close to ‘publication ready’ when you start winning contests with that piece, are offered literary representation or publication, or when qualified, unbiased beta readers tell you it’s ready. It’s time to release your story into the world and start a new when one you’re just moving commas around.
Connect to Others on the Same Journey
I’m a talker. My husband is not. I said hello to everyone we passed up and down the mountain. They most always smiled and said hi back.
When it got to the point I wasn’t sure I’d make it, and there was yet another happy hiker almost skipping down the mountain, I’d stop and ask them, “How much longer?”
Their responses encouraged me to keep going when I wanted to quit.
Unfortunately, other writers can’t give you an exact answer on how much longer? However, I’m still a firm believer in writing friendships (online and when possible, in person) for camaraderie, for guidance, and for reassurance. I can name you several true-blue online friends I’ve made since starting Mudpie Writing who help keep me focused on my dreams.
We write alone, but we flourish under the right set of writers.
The Struggle is Worth It
There’s only way up that mountain.
You must hike it.
There’s only way to finish your story.
You must write it, one word at a time.
Nobody’s going to ring your doorbell and hand you first prize for your poem, offer you a book contract for your novel, or give you a five-star review if you haven’t finished your story. Just do it, despite the self-doubt, fear and frustration.
The courage and commitment it takes to be a writer is 100% worth the hassles. I’m reminding myself this constantly as I pen novel #2 in the Pennies from Burger Heaven series that I plan to publish it 2016.
I hope you’ll join me on your own journey. Together, we can reach the top.
How do you handle your writing frustrations?
Please leave a comment. I’d love to chat.
Pick up your FREE copy today of the mystery, The Moon Rises at Dawn (SkipJack Publishing). Read, enjoy, repeat.
“It’s alright / I learned my lesson well
You can’t please every one so / You got to please Yourself”
Many thanks to Ricky Nelson (Garden Party, 1985)
Wow, is it really THIRTY YEARS since I got this incredible piece of advice from some song lyrics???!
Says it all, really: it’s something I’ve tried to live by in all my writing!
That’s always been one of my favorite Ricky Nelson songs, Paul. I heard it just the other day. It really is sound advice to live by. Best of luck and thanks for stopping by.
Hi Marcy!
So excited to see your novels come out!! When will we see the first one? (I’ve been out of the loop for a while, so I apologize if you’ve announced it somewhere and I missed it.)
One day at a time, one step at time, one word at a time … I keep being reminded that it’s not so much FOR the destination, but IN the journey that we live our lives. And, knowing that, some of my creativity will be expressed as I find my own, unique way to be IN that journey.
It requires much self-reflection and shutting off a lot of the voices, in my head and online, no matter how well-meaning they may be. These are some of the questions I ask myself, a lot:
1. Does it have to be a struggle? How much have we been conditioned to see it as a struggle?
2. Just because others have found success doing a particular thing in a particular way, does that mean that’s what I must do?
3. How do I WANT to be IN this journey?
It turns out, being “out of the loop” over the last couple of months has been so very good for me mentally and spiritually, not so much because I’ve found all the answers, but more because I’ve discovered such questions. 🙂
Cheers to the journey!!
Great to hear from you, T.O. You sound so much calmer and happier than before you moved. I agree your time offline has served you well.
I plan/hope/pray to publish both books in 2016. I want to get #2 finished before I release #1.
You’ve been asking yourself very wise, thought-provoking questions. I’ve also been asking myself…does THIS have to be such a struggle? I keep trying to remind myself that the answers WILL come for my plot and my life if I give myself enough grace and space, but that’s HARD to remember when I’m amidst the fear and confusion.
One day at a time. One word at a time. I LIKE that. xo – m3
Marcy: You picked the perfect place to ask profound questions. I’m from that area and God reigns supreme there. I love the altitude because you have to breathe deeply of the clean fresh air. In doing so, it releases the toxins you keep within. Yes, writing is a lot like climbing those “hills.” But, it strengthened your muscles/brain and you found endurance you didn’t know existed. Bravo! Go again in a few months and you will be surprised how much easier it is to climb that mountain path this time.
How cool that you’re from the Santa Fe area. Once I relaxed and stopped struggling against HOW MUCH LONGER, I was able to enjoy the journey up Atalaya. And, as you know, the view was SPECTACULAR.
I’m trying to relax against struggling with writing this new novel, too. Profound questions…I like that term, Rhonda. Thanks!
thank you so much for this article it came in the right time. I’m tired and overwhelmed by the work that need to be done for my book and I see all the steps that i didn’t cover and I’m starting to panic but this article helped me to cool down. one step at the time that my motto today thank you again
Yes, just slow down and BREATHE. One task at a time, and you’ll get what you need done. Plus, you’ll enjoy yourself SO MUCH MORE when you slow down. Remember, “Happiness is the journey, not the destination.” Good luck!
WOOHOO – yes, yes, yes!
I am glad you had fun adventure that inspired this powerful post #HUGSS
OODLES of love
K
Thanks, Kitto. Santa Fe is ALWAYS a powerful adventure. Hope you’re well. Much love.
Thanks for this post Marcy – I love the mountain climbing metaphor. Yesterday I had one of those dreary days. My novel is written, edited, beta-read, edited and edited and edited more. For me, the agent search has been the steepest part of the climb. There is no shortage of discouragement out there for authors who want representation and a traditional publisher. Finding ENCOURAGEMENT is key. Today I had my Thursday morning writing group. Meeting with other writers is like a shot of adrenaline – my “writing friends” (including you) are critical to my staying power. If we’re going to climb mountains, we need to have a supportive community making the journey alongside us.
No doubt, Julie, finding literary representation is TOUGH. Two things: 1) it’s a numbers game. For every no, takes you closer to that wonderful yes. 2) That said, ONLY query agents that you’d love to have. It’s too important of a partnership to accept mediocrity. It’s better to have NO representation than the WRONG representation.
It’s funny how people who live in the mountains call them “hills.” People like me, who are from the flatlands and swamps look up that same “hill” and say, “Up there?” You might say, it’s a real eye opener.
I love the comparison to writing. It fits well for me right now. I took a friends advice and I should be able to finish my work.
Thanks Marcy 😉
Good for you on your persistence to finish your work. I appreciate your support on my journey and for sharing your thoughts with us. Best of luck!
I love this metaphor Marcy and agree! Especially about the uncertainty and making writing friends. It’s hard to climb a mountain alone, and I’m so grateful for all my real life and virtual friends.
Yep, Dana. Having writer friends helps keeps me sane. I truly don’t know what I would do with out them all. Hope your writing is going well.
This is an amazing comparison! Although there are many struggles both in climbing and writing, the only way to succeed is to go on. I am so much a fan of this idea; that the most important thing is not the destination but the journey. The destination is just the MOTIVATION for the journey.
Great tip, very inspiring and spot-on! 🙂
I LOVE this, Natasha! The destination is the MOTIVATION for the journey. So real, so true, and so wise. I appreciate your insights!
Oh, so true . . . so true. I am currently revising my first mystery novel originally written in the mid 1990’s. Since 2002 I have self-published one short inspirational and commercially published one novel (Western-humor). Through this journey I kept learning how to improve my writing, both in the approach (outline if you will) as well as the drafting and ESPECIALLY revision! I honestly spend probably close to as much time on streamlining my writing process (how I organize a novel) as I do actual writing. While this obviously slows down the process, I truly believe I am “closing in” on a process that will allow me not only to complete a project (short story or novel) but also to minimize the number of revisions. For me, it’s important to keep my eye on “the prize” (a completed project) but not to FOCUS on it. Rather I like to look at my daily victories and know each day I accomplish something will bring me closer to the end and I can call a project “finished” and submit. Climbing a mountain might actually be easier than writing a book!
I’m so happy to hear from you, Jack. Congrats on refining your novel-writing process. I need to spend more time up front outline, so I can spend less wasted time. Sounds like that’s just what you’re doing. Fantastic!
Your article came at a critical time as I am nearing the stretch towards the goal of completion of my first draft. Unfortunately, I’m hung up with dialogue and POV. My friends from our critique group call me out on this constantly. It’s a hard climb but I’m determined to make it to the top, step by step, day by day. I’ll keep this article to remind me that it’s the destination that is the motivation for the journey.
Glad my post was helpful. And be careful with your critique group. It’s not just what they say, but HOW they say it. You may need help with your dialogue and POV, but you should leave your group motivated to improve your manuscript, not leave feeling beaten down.
That said, good luck on finishing your first draft!
Remember it is not just the journey it is the destination! loved the article Rhonda and all of the interesting comments! I hope my book is own its final leg just submitted my last review to publisher!
I’m glad you enjoyed my post, Cindy. CONGRATS on your final review to you publisher. Good luck with your book!
? I can’t believe I missed this one ?
But I’m glad I found it!
I am so happy to have you as my writer friend ❤️ You’re a true inspiration and whenever I feel tired/annoyed/helpless as I’m writing my novel I remember you and how you’ve motivated me to believe in myself and keep writing.
I love you ?
Ahhh, Lujain,
What a thoughtful thing to say. I’m so grateful you told me that. My heart is quite full. I love having you as a friend, too. xoxoxoxo
Delightful analogy. I just read one from a voice coach yesterday. The comparisons she made between voice/singing were as clever as yours. I have been truly enjoying your posts.
Fantastic! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post and Mudpie Writing. Made my day. Thank you! 🙂