Comments on: 5 Areas We Need Permission for Success

By: Top Picks Thursday! For Writers & Readers 01-11-2018 | The Author Chronicles

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 18:00:58 +0000

[…] well. Anne R. Allen looks at 8 qualities more important than writing talent, Kristen Lamb explores 5 areas where we need permission for success, Joanna Penn wonders: why write when there are already too many books in the world, and Kathryn […]

By: Bryan Fagan

Bryan Fagan — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 16:31:32 +0000

When I make resolutions in December I ask myself if I will still be motivated in April. I force myself to be honest and by doing so I make sure I do not have a liquored up eggnog in my hand. So many of us make unrealistic promises in the final month of the year. We convinced we will suddenly become this new and fresh being in January. In truth that’s probably not going to happen. Think tiny steps and build from there and hopefully, when April comes around, you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.

By: Aurora Jean Alexander

Aurora Jean Alexander — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 04:08:14 +0000

I’m not really sure if we’re permitted to fail, or even make the slightest mistake. I heard some mistakes might have horrible consequences. *sigh*
I’m working on perfection. But then: perfection needs so much time, what if my book never gets published? So many doubts.

By: Mari Christie

Mari Christie — Mon, 25 Dec 2017 18:58:17 +0000

In reply to Scott. IMO, not only does it NOT need to be perfect, but you need to submit it in a mental state open to THEIR critique, and the improvements that will be made through the editorial process. So yes, best you can possibly make it, but no, you ain't gonna be perfect, and don't have to be. Further, even if you were, they'd find things to change. ;-)

By: Mari Christie

Mari Christie — Mon, 25 Dec 2017 18:55:59 +0000

Fear of success! Gah! I’ve worked through the others to a large extent, but this one… Water-freaking-loo. I have been feeling (yeah, gut feeling, FWIW), for the past few months, like I am on the verge of some huge career breakthrough, but the universe is holding off to keep me from shoving my foot through it in some completely heinous and idiotic way. Here’s hoping I can sort my crap, so the universe can come through with what therapy has finally taught me I deserve, even if I can’t figure out how to let myself have it… Thanks for this great post.

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 01:19:47 +0000

Yeah, I agree with the point about being afraid to duplicate success…well, if I ever attain success. One thing I keep questioning is: does the manuscript need to be absolutely perfect, free of any possible critique before it is submitted to an agent? I think that is my big fear, but as the post said: the world rewards finishers.

By: Maggie Mundy

Maggie Mundy — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 03:26:15 +0000

Thank you so much for this article. I have PTSD and so understand not being able to feel the real joy when I do suceed. I want to take 2018 as time to renew the ways I look at things. I will be kinder on myself and enjoy the whole experience because more than anything, I love writing.

By: Tammy Patton

Tammy Patton — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 05:08:00 +0000

I always enjoy your posts but this one really resonated. I never understood why, when things are going really well, I get anxious, and start imagining that something terrible is about to happen. Does our mind not know the difference between good excitement and bad? It’s an interesting concept. I think some of us, with ‘dysfunction’ in our past, struggle to believe that we really do deserve success, and happiness. We know it intellectually but on a deeper level, we’re not so sure…
Thanks for another thought-provoking post, Kristen. Happy Holidays!

By: Susan Trombley

Susan Trombley — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 00:31:39 +0000

Excellent post, Kristen. You nailed my struggles so perfectly that you could have been writing from inside my head! Especially the guilt about writing when there is laundry to be done. I always think that if I was a “successful” writer, I would feel less guilty about the time I spend writing, yet I do also fear the problems that seem to come with fame. Without a change in mindset, there really is no winning.

By: Bob Ivey

Bob Ivey — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 13:34:21 +0000

Kristen,

Thanks for this great post.

I’ve been trying to play the guitar for 20+ years now without much success. One thing I’ve noticed is my tendency to hesitate; getting off one note or chord and move on to the next for fear of getting it wrong. As you might expect this is bad if you are trying to keep a musical rhythm. But why should I care? It is just me and my guitar. And yes I suck at it just like my writing. But what has this got to do with writing, you might ask?

Fear of failure and waiting for the next shoe to drop has always been a part of my life. As an old fart now I feel that in my writing I have to craft the best possible sentence, paragraph and scene right out of the gate, even as a newbie, because there will be no time for a redo. So I hesitate or procrastinate rather than just write. Having a book published posthumously does me no good.