The journey behind every no.

Sometimes I wish I loved math. Loved solving equations. Where, if I got the problem wrong, I could jump back to the beginning to get it right. The journey might take a few minutes, even hours. But it would be solved within a short period of time. To me, that sounds like a quick resolution. Going from a no to a yes in a matter of minutes? Yes, please! (Math peeps, you'll probably tell me differently, but for the sake of my post, let me have this one, k?)

When it comes to writing novels, there is never a quick resolution. Especially when you hear NO to a book you've worked months, even years on. Am I right, writers? After submitting two of my books for months to literary agents, I heard nothing but, "No, thank you." The no's hurt. The no's dig up every insecurity you've ever had. But it also sets you back to the very beginning of your journey. Game over. Start again. 

With each no, I've started again. Started from the beginning. I've waited for the right idea to hit. Then planned the outline; developed the characters; conceptualized the story. Wrote the first draft. Edited the first draft. Perfected the second and third draft. Until, months and months (and months) later, I have a completed manuscript. And then? I try again. This time, hoping for a yes.

Of course, with each book I write, I grow. I become a stronger writer. A better story teller. No journey is wasted if you desire to grow. But it's long. It's hard. There is no quick resolution. There is months and years from beginning to end. And it can feel overwhelming at times. Especially at the beginning. Wondering if the journey--the long, lengthy, painful journey--is worth it.

But, while I haven't heard my "yes" yet, I am 100% committed to the journey. It's hard. But it sharpens my skills and feeds my soul. It's not a quick resolution, but it allows for creativity to bloom. It's long, yes. But I'll write and write and write until I can't write any more. Because the ending is always worth it. A finished book. A new story. Characters to love. That, in itself, is one big yes.  


​