Perseverance

I’m willing to bet that most writers will tell you that writing and the pursuit of having a book or books published can sometimes be grueling. Blood, sweat, tears. . . the works. A friend of mine, for example, has been working very hard for double digit years honing her writing and storytelling skills, striving for publishing success—her dream. She’s been discouraged, she’s been beaten down, she’s been sucked under by doubts thicker than the worst kind of quicksand. Yesterday, though, she called me to share awesome news. A renowned and very famous, award-winning author came upon one of my friend’s manuscripts in a critique situation. The author deemed this manuscript to be stellar. Not only did the author praise my friend’s writing, plotting, and character development to a large audience, but the author offered to hand-deliver my friend’s manuscript to the author’s very own editor!

I can’t get this story out of my head. Not only am I beyond thrilled for this writer-friend who has never given up in the pursuit of her dream, a person who truly deserves this encouragement and praise, but because the author’s kindness and generosity blow me away.

This story reminds me of wonderful words from Confucius:

It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.

Cheers to perseverance!