The Best Tip I Ever Received

             The Best Tip I Ever Received.

How many times have you heard it said; I’m going to write a book about it one day. How many people do you know, have actually followed through and written that book? If writing were easy, everyone would do it, but it’s not. It takes dedication and commitment to start at the beginning, work it through to the end and not quit during the half-way hump in the middle.

It may take years of practice, before you even feel comfortable enough to send out your written work. Nerves come to the fore as you hesitatingly hit that send button. Anxiety arises, as you put your first work out into the ether, for all to see. It takes guts to send your work off, when you don’t initially know if you’re any good as a writer. You only find out how good you are, once you’ve done it, once you’ve pushed aside the nerves and sent that work to an editor, or publisher.

I’ve been a writer for over 20 years. For quite a while, not much happened. I’d post my work off, expectantly awaiting the magical words: “Congratulations on becoming an author.” After a time, I began do doubt my abilities; abilities which had taken years to perfect, as I considered on numerous occasions; it was all too hard. Perhaps I should let it go. Just quit.

The best writing tip I ever received was; “It’s not always the finest writer that rises to the top, but the one who perseveres.” I don’t remember where I read it, or who said it, but those few words gave me the courage and inspiration to continue, in spite of my early misgivings toward my perceived skill-set and talent.

You see, in perseverance we become superior at our craft. As our craft improves, we gain recognition in our field. When you have a message that needs to be heard, sometimes it doesn’t matter whether or not you’re a great writer. A great message can go a long way.

We all start somewhere and not all of us have a university education. Some of us take longer to reach our destination than others, but if we don’t quit, if we keep going, one day our dream will be realised and that’s in any endeavour, not just writing.

Aim to be the best in your field. Study every day and don’t quit. Keep going, even if you don’t see the desired results at first. Keep going, even when others around you quit.

To be the best in your field takes consistent action, study and improvement. To be the best writer is to practice, practice, practice. Read, study and write. Write every day. Write to a word count. Write when you’re sad, when you’re happy, when you don’t feel like it, when you’re too busy. Write, just because you love it. Do this and you shall rise above your colleagues.

Keep going and never quit. Become the best you can be and success will follow. As a writer of numerous articles, books and blogs, I know the value of perseverance. Don’t think you don’t have what it takes, instead, learn to do what it takes. Your time will come, for as it says in the bible; the soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich. (Proverbs 13:4).

Doggedness, dedication and diligence. A no quit attitude. Persevere and practice. And don’t stop until you receive the prize. Follow the tips and guidance of those who’ve gone before you and remember, it’s not always the finest writer that rises to the top, but the one who perseveres.