Writing is tough; the only people who don't think so are those who have never sat down and tried to write a proper story.
As a first time writer I have encountered lots of negativity; from those who think it isn't possible to be a writer without a degree in English, to those who think anyone who tries to be something more with their life will ultimately fail and waste their time. Whilst I am thankful for my friends and family, most of them don't know I am writing a novel, and those that do don't really understand the allure, so my support network is limited at best.
Like most other indie first timers I also have a day job to pay the bills, meaning any writing I do is crammed into my 'free time', which seems to be less and less with every passing week!
I know I am not alone, and I understand fully now why so many writers fail to see their work through to being published. It is easy to quit.
But this is why it is important to have dreams and goals. These are what get you through the hard times; times when you need to dig in deep and push away all the excuses of life which stop you writing. Now I know everyone has the goal of being published, but I see that as only the start. My advice is to have lots of goals and dreams; goals can be small things as you go along your writing journey, reiterating your sense of achievement. The dreams should be big; don't limit what you can achieve!
So as a starting point I'll sharel some of my dreams;
1. Have a 5 star review from a stranger - reviews are great, but if from your friends or family they are going to include a degree of bias. A stranger, someone you don't know or have ever spoken to, will give you their honest feedback. Now I fully expect I will get slated by some, called all sorts and be labelled the worest writer ever! But if I can get one, just one, all singing all dancing review saying my work is the best ever - well then it would have all been worthwhile!
2. Inspire another writer to publish - I believe in giving back to others. Like I've said, I'm new on this writing journey. Some people I hoped would have helped me, and those who inspired me to write in the first instance, have either not helped at all, or actually been a hindrance and negative. But there have been those who I didn't know who helped enormously, and I will be eternally grateful. Once I've completed this journey I want to help others in my position, to motivate and mentor them to see it to the end. That to me is what life is all about.
3. Go to Comic Con - this is the inner geek in me. If I could go to Comic Con in the USA on the back of my work, well that would be past awesome!
4. See Salvation on the big screen - this is my ultimate goal, the dream that keeps me going. I believe in my work, that it would make an awesome move trilogy. But convincing me is easy, it's the movie world that will be tough. Luckily I like challenges!
So those are some of my dreams, the things that keep me going when times are tough. If you don't have writing dreams, then get some fast, otherwise you run the risk of not seeing this through. If you know what your dreams are, no matter how small, share them with me and I'll keep pushing you until you achieve them!