Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Perseverance...You gotta have it!

Hey all, I'm glad to be here and thought I'd give my first, and late posting, about a word that has proven its worth. Perseverance. Without this, you can't succeed in life, let alone writing. For now, I'll keep it short and focus on writing.
My first novel, Secrets Revealed, part of the Relics of Nanthara trilogy, took 5 years to write. Not a big deal, since many authors take several years to write a novel. Did I have to persevere to finish it? Yes, but exercising the definition didn't kick in until after the novel was completed. What do you mean? The book went through a total of 14 edits (about 5 with the pros) before it was polished for publication. Still I pressed.
Really? Wow! Nope, the worst part was before the novel was accepted by MuseItUp Publishing. Thinking my first draft was 'da bomb', I couldn't believe nobody wanted it. After what I've learned, I could see why. It was learning the techniques and rules of writing which was the key. Still I pressed.
I was rejected by close to 100 agents and publishing houses. Still I pressed. I had folks speak against me, behind my back, trying to destroy the dream and direction I was given. Still I pressed. Then, the most recent rejection letters began coming back carrying positive merits by the agents. Aha! I knew my story was good. Now, I'm getting somewhere. Still I pressed.
I have a family with three kids and a full time job as a chiropractor. When will I have time to write? Still I pressed. During this time, instead of griping and complaining, I used it to perfect my skill. Am I still learning? Absolutely. And it paid off when one day I received my inaugural email into being a published author by a credible and award winning publisher.
You can't give up no matter what you decide to pursue. Believe in your skills and what you write. If you write with a message, there will be someone you will touch with your words. Therefore, you must persevere, or all will be for naught. And it will pay off. I am now awaiting my third book contract while editing my fourth novel. I have websites up for the trilogy and for my fourth novel for folks to see and read and enjoy...because I persevered. Take care and see you all next time.
By the way, here are the websites: www.relicsofnanthara.weebly.com (and) nuclearfist.weebly.com
Nick G. Giannaras

1 comment:

Sandra Cox said...

Well said, Nick. If there's one thing a writer needs to be able to do, its persevere in the face of adversity, cause there's certainly plenty that comes along....