Who Will Stop You?

Monday, August 16, 2010
By Jill Earl

"It isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me." - Ayn Rand

The latest rejection letter. A firm ‘no’ on that promising book proposal. The unsupportive spouse and kids. We encounter obstacles to our writing constantly. It’s so tempting to chuck it all and go back to our former writing-free lives, isn’t it?

Only problem? Writing’s become a part of you, sunken so deep inside that the only way it can escape is through that pen scribbling across paper---or through the blinking words appearing on the screen. So you keep researching markets and job leads, creating articles, submitting to contests, composing poetry, writing books. And the income’s coming in, sometimes steady, sometimes not.

Then a random, “You’re still at that little writing thing of yours?” or something equally condescending throws you. Or one of the above scenarios rocks your world. What do you do now?

Here’s the thing. There will always be naysayers along your writer’s journey, especially when you’re feeling your lowest. Question is, who will you let stop you?

Them? Or you? How about neither? It’s your call, so choose wisely.

Your writing future depends upon it.

3 comments:

PatriciaW said...

Great post, Jill, and that quote from Ayn Rand is a keeper.

Jill said...

Thanks Patricia! I keep a running list of quotes from well- and lesser-known folks and this is one of my favorites.

Joy said...

Hi Patricia,
I think all that you say also applies to dreams in general...who is stopping you from following/realizing your dreams...
When I follow my heart, my steps are full of ease...when my mind clicks on I tend to absorb external which sometimes stops or redirects my steps...

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