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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Keep Going

I have a promising idea for a nonfiction project. Last week I checked out a stack of books from my library and dug in to the research. Once I began, I felt overwhelmed by the mass quantity of information. In frustration, I considered the unthinkable: quitting.

Sunday at church, the message included two powerful words. Keep going. I needed to hear that. I'm not afraid of hard work, but sometimes I let doubts creep in about my ability to handle certain things. I know I'm capable of this project, I just need to focus.

Yesterday I pushed through that wall. I dove in to the research with gusto. I narrowed my focus, and my vision is taking shape. How will it turn out? I don't know. But there's one thing I'm sure of: I'm not quitting.

Let's face it--some ideas are worth pursuing, and others are quit-worthy. Have you ever felt like quitting a project, but it turned out to be great? Or have you ever started a project, but decided it was quit-worthy?

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