Monday, April 1, 2013

Anchor

Today is the first day of the A- Z challenge. Want to know what this challenge is all about it, here is the link . My theme this year is Path to Publication! I am looking froward to meeting all my fellow A-Z challengers along the road.

Anchor

My path to publication was not short. It was long, and windy, and filled with, what at times seemed like, insurmountable hurdles. Patience, a thick skin, perseverance are all things we talk as aspiring writers, all things that are easier philosophized about than actually done. Without an anchor, without someone to remind me to dig deeper and write harder, I would've given up with the first rejection.

Here are my anchors:

Becky Wallace and Mary Waibel Two of the best CP's the writing community has ever seen and the only two people in the world that have read everything, and I mean everything, I have ever written! They help me plot, understand the darkness and self-doubt that creeps into my writer's mind, and aren't afraid to tell me a scene sucks. Without them, I would not be half the writer I am today.

So who are our anchors in this crazy path to publication? Who keeps you grounded and on track when you want to toss that manuscript out the window and give up?

23 comments:

  1. What a nice shout-out to your buddies! All writers need at least one anchor to keep hold of this writing life. Two anchors even better!!

    Happy A to Z-ing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

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    1. Thanks, Marcella. They truly are my anchors!

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  2. It's great to have people you can trust around you.
    http://sallys-scribbles.blogspot.co.uk
    #1134 A - Z
    P.S. You've still got word verification on

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    1. Thanks for reminding me to take it of, Sally. Though I did, but alas I forgot :)

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  3. Great post!!! Even though I do have some external anchors (a great family, awesome CP and betas), my biggest anchor is inside. Maybe it's ego or ambition or just plain love for telling a story, but whatever it is, it keeps me going even when things get ugly.

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    1. That is my ultimate goal, Kate, to be my own anchor. Thanks for commenting!

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  4. How sad is it that I don't have an anchor? when I bring up writing to my husband, he gets these grand ideas of him doing the illustrations and me writing a graphic novel, but his ideas are all the same- chesty male, boobilicious female in trouble, lots of sex and fighting- not my cup of tea. Anyhow- looking forward to reading more of your posts.

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    1. Laughed out loud at his... ahh...theme ideas for graphic novels. And if you ever need someone to whine to or to push you along, Stephanie, give me a shout. I will be your anchor.

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    2. My husband too -complains there isn't enough sex in my books! I think there is just as much as the story needs....

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  5. I think sheer stubbornness keeps me grounded when I want to toss my manuscript out a window.

    But my brother is actually a huge help too.

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  6. I like your choice of Anchor, we all need one...

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Madeline. Heading over to your blog now to see what the letter A inspired you to blog about!

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  7. So sweet a post! I think the people on the interwebs and my own partner in crime, Amalia Dillin, keeps me grounded. Also, the chocolate.

    Definitely the chocolate.

    <3

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    1. Arghhh... how could I forget chocolate :)

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    2. Oh yes, chocolate for me too! and wine.

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  8. Wonderful advice for a writer! Look forward to the rest of your posts!

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  9. My anchors are mostly the entire community at large, the cheer squad (plus honesty) that is my little critique group, and the knowledge that I can get really good critique at the Water Cooler if I need it ;)

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    1. thanks for commenting, Trisha. Critique groups are like gold.

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  10. I love how you have separated your anchors out and each has a purpose. Perfect!

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  11. Trisha, Since your word is Anchor, I have to share one of my favorite singers, Mindy Gledhill. Here is her song, "Anchor". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AWRHBHDVlQ

    The Write Soil

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