Writing Isn’t a Bowl of Cherries – It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint
If anyone ever told you that a writing career is a “walk in the park,” they were selling a fantasy. The truth is a little messier, a little harder, and a whole lot more rewarding when you finally get it right.
“We accept that writing is not going to be that proverbial bowl of cherries and that it involves stamina, dedication, and commitment.”
In this post we’ll unpack what that really means, why the “never‑say‑die” mindset matters, and how to keep the momentum going even when the world seems indifferent to your manuscript.
1. The Reality Check: Writing Demands Grit, Not Glamour
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| “If you love writing, it will flow effortlessly.” | Even the most passionate writers hit blank pages, endless revisions, and moments of doubt. |
| “One great story will launch you overnight.” | Most books (and articles, scripts, blogs) crawl to a modest readership before they ever find their niche. |
| “Rejection is a sign you’re not good enough.” | Rejection is a data point. It tells you what didn’t work, not who you are. |
Stamina. – Think of your writing practice as a long‑distance run. You won’t win the race by sprinting for ten minutes and then stopping. You need a sustainable pace: a daily word count, a weekly revision schedule, or a set number of writing sessions per month.
Dedication. – This is the promise you make to yourself that you’ll show up, even when the coffee is cold, the Wi‑Fi is spotty, or life throws another curveball. Dedication is the habit that pulls you out of the “I don’t feel like writing today” mindset.
Commitment. – Commitment is the broader contract with your craft. It’s the decision to finish the manuscript you started, to edit the drafts you hate, and to polish the final product until it shines—no matter how many rounds it takes.
2. Embracing Rejection: The “Never‑Say‑Die” Attitude
“Even when done, and the rejection slips mount up, it will require a never say die attitude.”
Rejection letters are the writer’s version of a gym’s “you missed a rep” notification. They hurt, but they also build muscle. Here’s how to turn each “no” into a stepping stone:
- Collect, Don’t Internalise
Keep a simple spreadsheet:- Title/ProjectDate SentAgency/Publisher/AgentReason (if given)What you learned
- Extract the Gold
Every editorial note contains a nugget of feedback. Strip away the polite fluff and ask: What can I improve? Use it as a concrete action item for your next draft. - Batch Your Submissions
Don’t submit one manuscript at a time and wait three months for a response before moving on. Send several query letters or article pitches in parallel; the odds of a “yes” increase dramatically. - Celebrate Small Wins
A polite “thank you for your submission” is still a win—it means your work reached a professional inbox. Treat each acknowledgment as a milestone.
3. Publication Is Not the Finish Line
“And even when the manuscript is accepted and published and doesn’t become an overnight sensation, you cannot give up.”
Getting the green light is a huge victory, but it’s only the beginning of a longer journey:
a. Post‑Launch Promotion
- Micro‑marketing: Share a single paragraph, a character sketch, or a behind‑the‑scenes anecdote on social media each day.
- Email List: Offer readers a free short story or a bonus chapter in exchange for their email. A loyal list can boost sales for future projects.
- Community Engagement: Join genre‑specific forums, Reddit threads, or Discord servers. Answer questions, give feedback, and let people know you’re an active member of the community.
b. Iterate, Not Stagnate
Your first book may not be a bestseller, but it gives you data:
- Which chapters were most downloaded?
- Which keywords drove traffic?
- What reviews highlighted strengths and weaknesses?
Use that intelligence to fine‑tune your next manuscript, marketing copy, and even cover design.
c. Diversify Your Portfolio
Don’t put all your creative eggs in one basket. Write articles, short stories, or serialized content alongside your novel. Each piece builds credibility, expands your audience, and provides additional revenue streams.
4. Practical Toolbox for Staying the Course
| Habit | How to Implement | Time Investment |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Pages (Free‑write 10 mins) | Keep a notebook by your bed; write whatever comes to mind. | 10 mins |
| Scheduled Word Count | Set a daily goal (e.g., 800 words) and use a timer. | 30–45 mins |
| Weekly Review | Every Sunday, glance at your rejection spreadsheet and progress chart. | 15 mins |
| Reading Sprint | Read 1–2 chapters of a book in your genre for inspiration. | 30 mins |
| Physical Movement | 5‑minute stretch or walk before each writing session to reset brain. | 5 mins |
Consistency beats intensity. It’s better to write 500 words a day for a year than to crank out 5,000 words once and then go silent for months.
5. A Real‑World Example: From Rejection to Resilience
The author of “The Quiet Harbour” (a fictional but relatable case study) received 27 rejection letters before a small independent press took a chance. The manuscript didn’t skyrocket to the bestseller list; sales were modest, but the author:
- Leveraged the press’s newsletter to build a 2,500‑subscriber email list.
- Released a free prequel novella that attracted 1,200 new readers.
- Used the feedback from the first edition to rewrite the ending, which earned a 4‑star review on a major retailer site.
Six months later, the author secured a contract for a sequel, and the combined sales of both books exceeded the original expectations. The key? Never giving up after the first publication.
Bottom Line: Keep Writing, Keep Trying, Keep Growing
Writing is a marathon of stamina, dedication, and commitment. Rejection letters are inevitable, but they’re not verdicts. Publication is a milestone, not a finish line. As long as you maintain a never‑say‑die attitude, you’ll keep forging ahead—turning each setback into a stepping stone and each modest launch into the foundation for your next breakthrough.
Your next paragraph is waiting. Put pen to paper, hit “send” on that query, and remember: the bowl of cherries may be far away, but the trail you’re blazing today will eventually lead you there.
Thrills, Spills, and just a dash of Romance 