Have you been making progress on your fall writing goals? I have to admit that I have good days and not-so-good days. Today was so-so. I received a rejection on a piece that I believe in—one that I know is good. And while this particular essay will not be published by this particular journal, I’ve decided to remind myself that the piece is just not right for this journal at this moment in time. Even deciding to believe that feels like an accomplishment!!

Sometimes we have to be the biggest fans of our work. We need to recast our doubts into possibility. Again, easier said than done.

One of my all-time favorite books on creativity is Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. Have you read it? Really, check this one out today. Here’s a quote from it that is on my mind:

“If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you don’t bring forth what is within you, what you don’t bring forth will destroy you.” - Gospel of Thomas

So get your words down. Bring forth what is in you, whether the final product succeeds or doesn’t, do it. It doesn’t have to be perfect and you don’t have to understand what you are doing. Just keep going. This something that you are making is your own encounter with inspiration. Seize it!!

What are other ways that you keep yourself going when the work feels like a burden?

With you in the trenches,

Melissa