My family recently watched Soul Surfer. Based on a true story, this inspirational movie is about Bethany Hamilton, a young surfer girl whose arm was bitten off by a shark.
Bethany fought insurmountable odds, but battled her way back into the sport she loved and became a pro surfer.
Bethany spoke a line in the movie that resonated with me:
"I don't need easy. I just need possible."
It reminded me that we writers have chosen a goal that isn't easy. Our goal involves a tough industry that's constantly changing. It's based on the subjective opinions of other people. Are we crazy or something?
We're no more crazy than the people who thought we could walk on the moon. Putting books in the hands of eager readers is a bold and vital goal. It can be exciting, but it's also frustratingly hard.
But writer friends, we don't need easy. We just need possible. After all, if Bethany could surf with only one arm, surely we can handle a mountain of rejection letters.
Have you seen this movie? If so, what was your opinion? And do you ever feel like this business is just too darn difficult? If so, maybe these quotes will help:
"The trouble with doing something right the first time is that nobody appreciates how difficult it was." --Walt West
"Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success." --Abdul Kalam
"Where there is no difficulty, there is no praise." --Samuel Johnson
"Storms make the oak grow deeper roots." --George Herbert
"Difficulties are things that show a person what they are." --Epictetus
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