Don’t be a writing wimp!

“The Army taught me…when things get tough, to push harder.” 

Angie Papple Johnston

Yes, this career can be challenging. Yes, there are times when you question why you beating your brains out and wearing your fingers to the bone drafting queries, writing articles, sending out book proposals, doing corporate projects when you could be doing something — anything!—that offers a guaranteed paycheck. (Although these days, precious little is “guaranteed”!) 

And so you tell your writing friends and your mother and anyone who will listen (or can’t avoid you) that this career sucks with a capital S and there is no way anyone can make a living at it. 


Uh, huh. Now that you have vented for the day (or, depending on how much venting you did, for the week or possibly the month), quityerbitchin’. Stop being a wimp about it and get back to work. 

There are plenty of people who hate their jobs but don’t have a choice about it. You chose this career. And with the it comes all those lovely little tests that measure your commitment. 

And really, are you only aggravated with the drawbacks (and every job has them!) or also dealing with some fear issues? When you read about writers who earn, if not six figures, at least an income half-way there, is there some little voice inside saying that could never be you because you don’t have what it takes — and you are very much afraid that voice is right? 

Assuming you have the needed ability, gift and skillset to be a writer, maybe what is keeping you from having more good days than bad is self-doubt. If you believed that ultimately you would succeed — that you could achieve the financial success and/or publication credits (although the two are not mutually exclusive) you desire —  wouldn’t you work a little harder right now? 

Then do it now. Work harder. Push harder. Write more. Write better. Submit more often. Give up less frequently. It’s your life, your choice.