Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Q is for Quitter

This is what I'm not. There are many fun words that start with Q. Some of which go along with writing, like query, but the word quitter or quit resonated stronger for me today.

It's SO easy to quit when something is hard. So easy to quit trying to lose weight when sitting at the computer is much easier than hitting the pavement for a rain pelting run. It's easier to quit practicing the piano than it is to force yourself to sit on a hard bench day after day pounding the ivories.

For a moment, for a split second, I thought about not writing anymore. When my publisher and I split ways, it just seemed too hard, too overwhelming, and too depressing to keep going. I wanted to hole up and feel sorry for myself. I wanted everyone else to feel sorry for me too. I soon found I was miserable taking that route, so when my self imposed pity party was over, I pulled myself up by the boot straps and got back to work. I had to. I love writing too much.

Don't quit what you love. Don't quit what will make you healthy. Don't quit trying to improve your relationships. It's why we're here on earth--to learn to press forward, to learn to overcome difficulties, to become stronger, happier, healthier people.

This song says it all . . .

So, let the sun shine in, face it with a grin
Smilers never lose and frowners never win
So, let the sun shine in, face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in
Don't be a quitter!

20 comments:

Krista said...

So right, Melissa! I'm glad you didn't quit writing. Part of beating the temptation to quit is remembering or finding what we love about the thing we're doing. Will I see you at Storymakers?

the writing pad said...

Glad you didn't quit! Thanks for inspiring thoughts, well expressed - a lovely, uplifting post :-)

PK HREZO said...

THanks, Melissa! This is such a good reminder. I hear myself telling my kids they can't give up on something just cuz it's hard. We have to follow the same advice. And writing IS hard, publication even harder. But in the end, it's what we love to do.

Old Kitty said...

No, mustn't quit!! :-) Your dreams and health and happiness are worth the effort!!

Great stuff!!! Thank you! Take care
x

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Good word choice: Quite a few bloggers were blogging the dreaded "Q" word: Query!

I agree -- one musn't quit. Pause, maybe, and rethink. But quit? Never!

Unknown said...

Quit is a dirty word in my vocabulary. As an unpublished author (well, I've co-written a pb book and it's published) of my own work, I have to admit that I've had many days where I thought it would be easier to quit. No such luck. I get so crabby if I don't write. I have to let that creativity out some place, and the page is exactly where it's supposed to go. We can't achieve our dreams if we quit.

Angie said...

I know I feel like quitting on a regular basis, but I can't. That's a good thing! Thanks for a little pep talk today.

Langley Cornwell said...

This post makes me happy. I love that song!

I’m A-Z Blogging on Langley Writes about Writing and Langley’s Rich and Random Life

Gregg Metcalf said...

Great post! As they say, "Quiters never win and winners never quit." I hope to never quit the race I am in as I press toward the mark, or reward of the Son of God!


Gregg Metcalf
Colossians 1:28-29

Gospel-driven Disciples

Jeri said...

I love that song. it's the one my mom used to sing on the days when she'd come into open the blinds and wake us up in the morning.

Unknown said...

You hit the nail on the head. Gotta keep after what you want. If you love it, you won't stop.

Sig

Jennifer said...

Great song and I agree never give up, never give in.

Hart Johnson said...

Very good advice! I am pretty good about not quitting EXCEPT dieting... I fall off that particular wagon frequently. My worst tendency though, is to just keep adding stuff... I quit nothing and I just have too much on my plate...

Laura S. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Laura S. said...

This is a wonderful post! Writers can always use a boost of encouragement. :) And I'm your 400th follower, woohoo!!!

Thanks for stopping by my blog, Melissa!

(PS. I like how under favorite books in your profile you put "there's no such thing." SO true. It's much too hard to choose a favorite!)

Neurotic Workaholic said...

Good for you for continuing to write. It can be very tempting to quit sometimes; I've found that one way to avoid quitting is to make whatever you want/need to do into a regular habit. So, for example, it was much easier to work out regularly once I got used to going to the gym on the same days each week.

Blaze McRob said...

Great post! Never quit! Good for you. I admire spunk.

Ella said...

Great post; I have been down about some of my art work and needed this!
Thank you; nice to meet you!

Anonymous said...

"Never give up, never surrender!" -- Galaxy Quest

Denise Covey said...

Hello Melissa. Lovely to meet/follow you. Q is the hard one unless you're doing a travel series of posts for the challenge. Qwerty keyboard looking at me here.

Thanks for popping by and following my travel blog. I'm no quitter either!

Denise<3