Saturday, August 31, 2013

The Keys to Publishing Success -- Pursuit of Happiness

Hi, folks, I'm finishing up my series on the keys to publishing success. This  week I'm going to chat about the pursuit of happiness. It's one thing that many writers overlook. Happiness is important, but we forget to seek it.

We all have challenges, internal and external . Many of us are broken and limping forward anyway. Often times, circumstances are far from fair. We may be trapped by our own failings or the failings of others. Our mental and/or physical health may be failing. How are we supposed to be happy?

Good news. You can cultivate happiness.  Here is a list of happiness habits that may help lead you to happy ground. Put them into practice to find success.

Seek your truest writing self in your stories. Really know what you are about. I'm heartfelt, humorous, and intriguing. Find your own little thematic triptych. Know thyself.

Choose to think about the best possible outcome for your work. Not in a fairytale way, mind you. If you haven't written a book, you can't sell one. But, if you've done your research and sent out the submission or query, why not believe that it is going to work?

Kill the monster. It's time to decide that jealousy is worthless. Let it go. Every time you say you are not good enough because someone else is better than you --  you are jealous. Stop it.

Make the target bigger. If your goal is to be on the New York Times Best Sellers list. Fine. I like your ambition. But if that is your only goal, boo. I want you to add 20 things to your list. Here is the rule. If you don't have a 70 % chance of achieving your goals, you need to keep thinking.

Review your goals every day. Post them on the fridge. Put them on the inside of your car visor. Make them your screen saver on your computer. Remember what you want and work toward it.

Stop saying you'll never be published. You are not lame. You are not the worst writer ever. You are not a failure. Remove yourself from the presence of those who say you are just dreaming, this will never happen, and this is a waste of time. Cut out the noise.

Share your genius. Do what you can to help others in your community find their way. Encourage the community around you. Did you know success breeds success? 

Okay, that is some stuff to think about. If you have some more personal habits that bring happiness to your writing life, share them here! Let's get what we need. Here is a link to a helpful clip about happiness: The Secret to Better Work, Shawn Achor, TedX.

Thanks for dropping by. I will be digging into writer myths next month. Seize the day.

Here is the pic -- "Comet PanStarrs above the Sun."




 
Here is the quote for your pocket:
Trust your heart if the seas catch fire, live by love though the stars walk backward. E.E. Cummings

32 comments:

Leandra Wallace said...

Great thoughts- plus I needed to read some of these 'cuz I've been in a very black mode of self doubt here lately. So thanks!

Molly/Cece said...

Sorry you've been in black mode of self doubt. I hope things are looking brighter. :)

Vijaya said...

Molly, you know me ... happiness is truly a habit. But what has really changed me is: Seek ye therefore first the Kingdom of God and His justice, and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matt 6:33). Absolutely everything falls into place once He is the center of your life.

Judy Bodmer said...

Happiness is a choice. When feeling down, I decide to think different thoughts. And start praying for others who I know need help. Getting my mind off of me is a game changer.

Molly/Cece said...

Hi, Vijaya! I so agree! This little verse whispers in me almost every day: Micah 6:8. "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Molly/Cece said...

Oh, Judy! I miss you and your wise ways! I'm so glad you shared this. Hug.

Mirka Breen said...

*LOVE* this, Molly.
I can be negative along the way, but none of us would do what we do if we didn't dream, hope, and even expect good to come.

Trudi Trueit said...

Thanks for the pep talk, Molly! My favorite is 'share the genius.' Teaching helps me to deconstruct my own writing process and discover how to improve my work. Plus, fanning the creative flames in others is so rewarding. I always come away from the experience feeling inspired and that I got much more than I gave!

Molly/Cece said...

Hi, Mirka, I think we hard-wired for dreams, hopes, and expectations. I do. Thanks for dropping by.

Molly/Cece said...

Trudi! Enough can never be said about the value of teaching. Thanks for sharing a bit of your genius here! ;) Glad you stopped by. :)

Unknown said...

Success breeds success is so true, Molly. I'm a firm believer in writing communities. They work if they're run the right way. SCBWI does a fabulous job at this, and you my friend, are one of the best. ;) You offer up your wisdom and support and share it with those who are in search of success. Thank you!

Molly/Cece said...

Hi, there, Candi! I happy to offer what little help I can. In truth, I don't ever think myself apart from SCBWI -- a long list of SCBWI folks have helped me with their wisdom and the support, and continue to do so. I am a worker bees in the SCBWI hive. I really just try to do my part.

Becky Shillington said...

Thanks so much for this, Molly! I love the idea that the Pursuit of Happiness is one of the Keys to Publishing Success! = )

Molly/Cece said...

Thanks for posting, Becky. The pursuit of happines is a definitely a key to publishing success. It is probably a key to all success. ;) Molly

Suzanne Furness said...

Hi thanks for visiting my blog today. I love these sentiments, I am a firm believer in positivity. Great to meet you.

Donna K. Weaver said...

Love, love, love the image of cultivating happiness. I totally agree. One of my favorite sayings is: Our perception controls our reality, so look for what's right in the world.

Andrew Leon said...

I don't tend to pursue happiness in that I don't think, "this will make me happy," and then go after that thing. My goals come from other areas and the act of pursuing them makes me happy.

Molly/Cece said...

Hi, Donna, welcome to the blog! Great quote. What we chose to perceive is really the key.

Molly/Cece said...

Hi,Suzanne! Nice to meet you too!

Molly/Cece said...

Hi, Andrew! I think that you have hit the nail on the head, happiness is a result of pursuing things we care about. Thank you for dropping by.

Yolanda Renée said...

Love, love, love your attitude! Such great inspiration! I do all you suggested, my refrigerator is plastered with my goals. Including a million dollar bill with a watering can above it! :) If only!

Unknown said...

Love the multi-goal approach! If you don't allow yourself to have multiple targets to shoot for--some big, some small--you're destined to feel like you're not accomplishing anything. And if writing has taught me anything, it's that little victories often lead to big ones. :)

Molly/Cece said...

Hi Yolanda! I'm not sure I can go for a million yet, but 100,000 feels totally possible. I'm adding that to the slide show! Thaks for dropping by.

Molly/Cece said...

Hi E.J., I feel exactly the same way. We must be kindred spirits! I wave and say howdy! (I am from Texas.)

Melissa said...

I like your attitude and your perspective. :)

Molly/Cece said...

Thanks, Melissa! And thanks for stopping in.

Julie Musil said...

I love your thoughts on happiness! I think happiness is a choice. I choose to be happy :)

Molly/Cece said...

Hi Julie, it's the best way to live.

Nissa Annakindt said...

I'm currently 'seeking my truest writing self' by writing stories based on the characters I've been making up stories about for years, but have been afraid to share with anyone. It's a little scary since if readers reject THESE characters they are rejecting a big part of me, whereas other characters in other stories I have much less connection with.

Molly/Cece said...

Hi, Nissa loves cats, I'm glad you are being brave. I would encourage you to not connect yourself with your work. If readers are unmoved or reject your work, you simply have some more work to do. You will find a way to communicate your vision.

Tonja said...

I agree it's best to keep a positive attitude. Also good to be realistic and do the work.

Molly/Cece said...

Well said, Tonya. ;)