Tuesday, August 3, 2010

YOU are courageous!

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.~Mary Anne Radmacher

I've learned that writers are courageous people.
  • If you've taken an idea, fleshed it out, then put it on paper, you're courageous
  • If you've poured your heart and soul into a story, you're courageous
  • If you've finished a manuscript, you're courageous
  • If you've offered up your work for review and critique, you're courageous
  • If you've typed a query letter and clicked send, you're courageous
  • If you've dropped a manuscript in the mail, you're courageous
  • If you've received rejections, yet continued to have faith in and submit your work, you're courageous
Is there anything you'd like to add to the list?

In the words of John Wayne, "Courage is being scared to death...and saddling up anyway."

You, my writer friends, are very brave indeed!

photo credit: photobucket.com

50 comments:

  1. I really needed to add that quote today. Thank you.

    I would say that is you if you "listen" to criticism that is given and grow from that which is constructive while discarding that which is not, that you are courageous.

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  2. Why, thank you very much, Julie. That was very nice of you to remind every one of us how scary it was/is to climb out on a limb with our writing...and even our blogging. I think that we sometimes forget just what it is that we have accomplished thus far, while we all have our sights focused on that three-book deal with Viking or whoever! Thanks for the encouragement.

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  3. THANK YOU JULIE! *puffs up chest* I feel better already... I've done some... no wait, ALL those things! ;D

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  4. I needed this-- was on a downhill slope today--thank you!

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  5. If you've ever truly left a bit of your heart and soul on the page, you're courageous...(and with this post I believe you have!)

    thank you for the wonderful post.

    ~bru

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  6. I love this! Just like Terri, I needed to hear it right about now. The last one is so true. Sometimes pushing forward can be the hardest thing in the world and we forget how courageous it makes us. Thank you!

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  7. Julie, so inspiring. *smiles* It's always nice to remind each other. Thanks.

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  8. Thank you so much, Julie. Yes, we are brave for trying.

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  9. Julie - great post! It's hard to remember that it takes bravery to make repeated attempts at publishing - especially when the sting of rejections gets to you. So strange, I actually just blogged about how hard it is to do what we are all trying to do today. You and I must be on similar wavelengths. I'm hoping to get some great success stories in that will pump us all up! If you know anyone that would like to contribute a story, feel free to send them my way:-)

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  10. wonderful post! thanks for the reminder!

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  11. This is just the kind of post I needed today. Thank you!

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  12. Thanks for this, Julie. I couldn't agree more. :-)

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  13. Great post! I have one to add: If you took a long break from writing and you return to your WiP -- and even if you think you've lost your spark, you power through and get back on track, you ARE courageous!

    That's where I am right now...!
    ((hugs)) Nicole

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  14. Have I mentioned how much I love this writer/blogging community? You're all awesome. Good luck with your writing today.

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  15. Wonderful post! I never really thought of it that way, but that is really sweet and very true. It turns out I am courageous!
    I would like to add that if you take criticism and ask for more, than you are courageous. It's hard to ask for more details about what is wrong sometimes, but if you can do that than pat yourself on the back.
    Great post, Julie!
    Happy writing,
    LReneeS

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  16. this is a lovely, beautiful and inspiring post.

    Just what I needed.

    thanks <3

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  17. Outstanding, Mrs. Julie.

    How about this one: If you've ever read your story aloud in front of a camera, you're courageous.

    - Eric

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  18. Love this - it's very inspiring!

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  19. Huge hug. This is so inspiring, Julie <3

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  20. I love 'Courage doesn't always roar.'
    So perfectly true in so many ways.

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  21. So true. It takes a lot of guts and courage to expose yourself and your work in front of others.

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  22. Guys, thanks so much for your comments. We all do have courage, even if we sometimes forget.

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  23. Why thank you! I haven't thought about it that way and I'm suddenly feeling kinda cool. ;)

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  24. You're SO right, Julie! Writing takes so much courage. And I think the more we step out there, the braver we will get.

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  25. Thanks for leaving the comment on my blog. I'll be sure to post up more when I hear back from the magazine, and since it's online I'll post up the link when the story goes up as well.
    Happy writing,
    LReneeS

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  26. Hey Julie. I don't know if you saw on my blog but I'm doing this thing where each week or so I interview a writer in the blogging community.
    Would you be interested in being the first writer I interview? (If so, comment back to me and let me know so I can email you the interview questions).
    Happy writing,
    LReneeS

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  27. Thanks Julie, for the reminder. Sometimes I forget that I am courageous (to take writing as a career we have to be very courageous indeed, as writing is not for the faint hearted) and give in to the lows.

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  28. "What we writer's got that they ain't got, courage." Thanks for reminding me to "Put 'em up, Put em up."

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  29. I'm glad you like my story selection. You definitely should blog about yours when you have it figured out.
    Thank you; I'll email you now...

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  30. Lovely quote, Julie! And you're right--writers are courageous. I would add it takes courage to shelf a book you adore but just isn't going to make the cut to published. That's very hard to do!

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  31. What a great post. I feel a lot better about writing now. :-) thanks for this.

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  32. If you stalk your favorite writer until she relents and takes a picture with you - you're courageous. *please note, no actual authors were harmed in preparation for this comment

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  33. Nothing to add. I think you and the Duke said it beautifully. :)

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  34. Thanks for your comments, my brave writer friends!

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  35. Aww...thank you so much for that :)

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  36. Hi Julie!

    That's a great quote. I definitely need to frame that. :)

    And thank you so much for commenting and checking up on me. It was a very sudden hiatus -- I just had to take a step back from blogging because I was rather overwhelmed. But I'm slowly coming back now, and can't wait to catch up with you and everybody else. <3

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  37. Sandy, I'm glad to hear everything ok. You were missed!

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  38. I need to post this by my computer where I write.
    Thanks Julie! this was wonderful!

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  39. Thanks for the pat on the back! I may not be published, but I am courageous. :)

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  40. So true Julie:) Many people talk about writing, but unfortunately so many never do it.

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  41. Julie, Thanks for posting this... sometimes I get disCOURAGED with my blog writing... but I appreciate this enCOURAGEment to keep writing!

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  42. Julie,

    Thanks for your post on my blog. And I like my new background too. I get bored easily so it will probably change again. :-)

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  43. Love this list! Thanks! I'd also say if you've read your masterpiece and realized you need to learn more about the writing craft--you're courageous!

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  44. Looks like you have impeccable timing because I think you've cheered up a few writers after reading this. & I include myself!

    Can't think of anything else to add -- the list sums it up well.

    Thanks for posting it! :)

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  45. Aw! I LOVE this post!!! I couldn't agree with it more! That's one of my favorite quotes, too!

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  46. Great post and being a writer does take courage. I always wince a little when I hit the send button or drop something in the mail slot. But I keep doing it!

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  47. Everyone, thanks so much for your comments. It's nice that we each know what the other is going through, and how it takes guts to put our work out there!

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  48. Great post, Julie! Thanks for being encouraging to so many writers!

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  49. I truly love this post, Julie. :)

    And I agree with you...I too love this writing community of bloggers.

    Love,
    Lola

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