Pursuing Your Dream

What does it take to pursuit your dream?

Passion

Perseverance

Pain

All of the above?

Is it more than just hard work?

I listened to a webinar today from Jennifer Blanchard. She spoke about what happens after you write your first draft. The information covered the editing process all the way through publishing. She even gave possible timelines.

For me it was a reality check.

I’m not sure what I was expecting when I began this pursuit of my writing dream. I don’t think I quite believed the length of time it would take for others to take notice of my writing. I don’t even think I knew what it would take to write an entire novel.

When people talk about the one novel a year for this author or many years for that person, I think I didn’t want to believe it. I wanted to believe that mine would be different. That I would be the one to beat the odds.

It may be me, someday. However there are some things that are in the way of my own success:

I need to finish my novel. I’ve finished one, that in my rewriting process has turned into three and I am only about 1/3 of the way through the first one.

I need to send in my work. Since I also write flash fiction, there is a possibility for publication but I would need to submit work.

I need to edit my work. I’m pretty sure I have tried to convince myself that my work doesn’t need editing. I know it’s not true but I can dream and still not get my editing done.

I also need to keep writing. Before this week I would have said no problem. Not now. This week has been challenging to keep going, though I continue to write.

Everyone has their own path to their dream. My own path is not without its pitfalls and dark places. However, there is plenty of light for my way. I will persevere.

How are you pursuing your dreams?