Don't Quit at the One Yard Line

Most people give up just when they're about to achieve success. They quit at the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game, one foot from a winning touchdown. -- Ross Perot

I've always written, and always will. Even if it's just poetry, love letters, or in my personal journal. People outside my family don't read those words, and for the longest time, I was okay with that. When I mention the idea of quitting, this isn't the writing I'm talking about.

When it comes to writing fiction and pursuing publication, have I considered quitting? Yes.

Am I proud of that? No. But I'm keeping it real on the blog. I'm not one of those bulletproof writers who says, "I'll never quit." Believe me, I've considered it, especially after a punch-in-the-gut rejection. I've wondered why in the heck I'm doing this to myself. But I've learned to nurse my open wounds for a few days, then gather courage and move forward. Why? The "what if" factor.

Whether you're pre-published or published, have you ever asked yourself, What if I'm 50 yards from the end zone? 20 yards? 10? What about one yard from the end zone?

What can be worse than the pain of rejection? The pain of regret. Always wondering, If I hadn't quit, what would've happened? How close was I?

In case they're helpful, here are some important points to remember:

• Many people say they want to write a book, but never do.
• Many people start writing a book, but never finish.
• Many people finish writing a book, but never edit.
• Many people edit their books, but never have them critiqued.
• Many people have their books critiqued, but never submit.
• Many people quit after rejections pour in.

If we keep going, even when times are tough, we set ourselves apart. If you're pre-published, and you're thinking about quitting...don't. You may be at the one yard line, and don't even know it.

Rachelle Gardner wrote a great post, 8 Ways to be a Happy Author. It'll definitely put a spring in your step, and remind you why we do what we do.

Confession time: have you ever considered quitting your pursuit of publication? What kept you in the game? 

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Don't quit--your future readers NEED you!

We all get discouraged. Our first drafts are birdcage-worthy, and rejections pile up. Successes rain down from the sky, and sometimes we feel like we're standing in the only dry spot. It's times like these that cause many writers to quit.

My advice? DON'T QUIT!

In my opinion, the biggest fault with quitting is that you'd be giving up on yourself. We've all heard the quote "the only difference between the published writer and the unpublished writer is perseverance."

You know who else loses if you quit? Your future readers. If they're giving up precious time and money to buy books, don't they deserve the best? Aren't they worth the scrutiny and hard work?

Imagine this:

Picture Book Authors--Your reader grabs your book from the shelf and then settles into her mom's lap. She memorizes your words, and turns the worn pages herself. She learns about friendship, family, and acceptance in a joyful way because you didn't give up.

Middle Grade Authors--Your reader struggles through an awkward time. Her body and her life are changing faster than she can register. She's still wearing braces, and she's taller than the guy she's crushing on. Her hair and clothes aren't like the other girls', and she wants nothing more than to fit in. She clings to your character like a good friend, because you didn't give up.

Young Adult Authors--Your reader stands on the creaky bridge between childhood and adulthood. She's hanging on for dear life, because drama is all around her. Family troubles plague her. At school, she feels like she's "in" one day and "out" the next, and she knows that one wrong move can ruin her reputation. She can be bullied on Facebook, and each text she sends could be forwarded to a wide audience. She'll read your book and know that she's not alone, because you didn't give up.

Adult Authors--Your reader is stressed out and needs escape. Work is crazy. Traffic on the freeway tightens the screws on her neck. Bills to pay, kids to shuttle, house to clean. When she steals a moment away, she'll sink in a bubble bath and wet the pages of your book, lost in thought. She'll drag your book to soccer practice, or listen to it on tape while commuting. Late at night, your book will rest in her lap while she waits for her teen to come home, because you didn't give up.

When times are tough, don't be discouraged, be inspired. And think of your readers. They don't want you to quit. They need you.

Do you ever get discouraged? If so, how do you handle it? And do you imagine your readers, and what they'll think of your book? If you're published, do you imagine who's reading your book, and where they're toting it around to?

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