One Necessity For Writing Success

Today's post asks the question What is needed for writing success? I'm not going to list them all but concentrate on one. 

As writers, I think we need to give 100% to reach our goal of qualifying as a successful writer. That's what Patrick Mahomes, MVP and winning quarterback of the Super Bowl does. Maybe you're not a football fan like I am, but to accomplish what this young man has done tells me he is not wishy-washy, on some days better than others, gives only when he is in the mood. Nope. He is out there giving his team and his fans 100% of his talent on a regular basis.

Writers must do the same. If you're in a funk and try to write something, it turns out to be less than perfect, doesn't it? A puny effort is going to produce puny writing. Less than enthusiastic writers end up with so-so writing. The more you give, the more you produce. It's as simple as that.

There are things that occur in our non-writing life that affect our writing. If we're really down about a personal problem, it's all too easy for it to show up in what we produce as writers. It's not easy, but when we write, we should shove all the personal life in the background. It will still be there for you to deal with when your writing time is finished. 

Consider a surgeon who is going through a divorce and child custody problems. When he has a patient on a table, he must devote his entire attention and expertise on the surgery he is about to perform. Dealing with the divorce waits for later. He owes the patient all his skill and full attention. We also owe something to our readers--to write to the top of our ability. 

We need to be enthusiastic, to give that 100%. Doing so benefits our readers and ourselves, as well. Writing to that 100% should make us feel good about our writing. It's a great boon on the road to success. If we aim for that high percentage, the rest will probably fall into place.