Hard Work and the Pleasure it Brings

We've been working a lot around the house lately. And it gives me pleasure to see the results.

We now have freshly painted metal chairs to sit on the porch in.


We now have clean siding on the front of the house. And, we have taken off the shutters and cleaned out all the wasp nests.

We had to work hard, though, to enjoy the pleasures it brought us.

It's the same with writing. You can't enjoy the pleasures of getting published, seeing your name in print or winning contests unless you work at it and don't quit.

I have thought about quitting before. I've said "Why do I do this?" "I don't have a chance in getting published." "I'm not good enough."

And, you know, I may not be good enough yet. That's why I must keep writing and some day I will be good enough. Wonderful publishing deals don't come overnight.

They come with the little steps and pleasures you accomplish along the way. Such as winning 2nd place on the Writer's Wall at a writing conference or honorable mention for your picture book in a writing contest. Little things help keep you going. Such as an unexpected 2nd place in a local poetry contest for amateur poets. . .



And finally seeing your name in print with a story you wrote two years ago. . .



So, keep writing and some day our hard work and little steps toward publication will pay off.

My favorite quote. . . "A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit."

Don't quit and you and I will enjoy the pleasures that our hard work brings us.