Last summer I declared to myself, “I am a writer.” I had ambition, enthusiasm, and dreams of success. I also had no idea what I was doing!
The only way I would truly see myself as a writer was to believe it, versus believing it when I saw it.
When I created this blog, I took a step toward supporting my declaration. I didn’t know where my steps would take me.
Along my journey, I learned alot. I read books on the craft of writing. I learned how to use WordPress for managing this blog. I created a Twitter account and fumbled with my Tweets. I created a Facebook Fan Page for me, as a writer. I joined an online community of fellow writers. I read other bloggers and saved their “how to” articles in my Favorite Places. I followed their formulas for success.
I wrote everyday. I posted to my blog twice a week. My work helped me discover my writing voice. This discovery led me to have confidence in publishing my book, I’M IN, for Amazon Kindle. I was a self-published author! I considered myself a professional writer.
And then it happened… NOTHING…
Nobody commented on my blog posts. I have a handful of subscribers on my mailing list. I have a few Fans on my Facebook page. I sold a handful of books. Where was the fame and fortune that the books and bloggers promised if I followed their keys to success?
I built a platform and no one came to hear me. I tried to do too much, too soon, and my expectations were too high.
I lost my passion. My creativity vanished without warning. Words escaped me.
I was the hare who was beaten by the tortoise. I sprinted at the start, before warming up and I wore myself out. In effect, I “pulled a hammy” and injured myself.
I quit writing. I quit the race.
After a few months of blaming my injury on “Writer’s Block” and “Mitigating Circumstances” I have stopped making excuses.
I am a writer. I have a voice that has healed. I am ready to speak and to be heard again.
No more Twitter! No more Fan Page! No more resistance disguised in lame excuses! No more seeking success, as defined by others!
I will be the tortoise and not the hare.
I will write for my love of writing. I will continue to be authentic and honest. I will be successful each time I have the courage to hit “publish” and send my words out to the world.
Thank you, family, friends, followers, and supporters for your patience.
Be Kind. Be Thankful. Be Significant
Peter
