Perseverance Is The Answer

Judith Ashley

As I sit down to write this month’s post, I’m almost able to cross off an item on my “To Do” list that’s been there for about ten years. It doesn’t really matter what the item is, what does matter is that I’ve kept it on my list and worked on making it happen. Time has passed. I tried several options until I found one that works. A small glitch today means it isn’t completed today but it will be done tomorrow, or at the latest early next week. What did I do over the years to finally reach my goal? I persevered.

As I’ve read the Genre-ista’s posts during the month of November, the stories of so many remarkable women were inspiring. Perseverance was one of the key attributes all of the women had. Staying the course, keeping on keeping on – real life mothers, grandmothers, aunts, real life women from history and then the women from fiction. Against remarkable, daunting, overwhelming odds (you get the picture) these women persevered.

An attribute worth cultivating if you are a writer is perseverance. This month our guests are all Self and Indie published romance authors. These are writers who not only persevered with their writing (they have completed stories ready to publish) but also took charge of their writing career and are doing what needs to be done to get their stories out there. In other words, they’ve called upon a double dose of perseverance.

Another important aspect of my life is my weekly call with my two Intention Sisters. One of them has also dubbed us her ‘Dream Team’. We check in with each other and offer support through brainstorming, ideas, or just listening as we each persevere in manifesting the life we want. January will mark the beginning of our 4^th year. An inveterate list maker, I still have my first list of Intentions one of which had to with being published. While I’ve yet to be published in book length fiction, I’ve several short, short stories on the Free Reads site. I’ve three completed manuscripts and the outlines for four more. I’m editing the completed manuscripts and look forward to 2013 when I send them back out into the wonderful world of publishing to see if the agents and editors who’ve requested my work are interested in representing me or publishing my stories.

As the years have unfolded, what I realize is that as long as I persevere, I have a chance to manifest my dreams. Life happens to all of us – little events and big ones but if we persevere, we can cross another item off our list.

And, last but not least, I believe that because of perseverance, I will be published in either 2013 or 2014. What about you? What role do you see perseverance playing in your life in general and your writing life in particular?

May 2013 see your dreams become your reality. Blessed Be.