Patience

Well here we are, halfway through the first month of the brand new year. Sadly, and to my growing frustration, I have yet to do any significant work on my WIP.

By now I had hoped I would be much, much, further along in this book-writing process than what I am … like, at the stage where I have a draft as good as I can get it, out in the hands of beta readers, stage of the process. And from where I am sitting, that goal is still looking a very long way off.

Of course, I have very good reasons why I’m not there yet. Kids home on holidays, health issues, plot and character revelations that I’ve put on the backburner but nevertheless will take a lot of time and hard work when I get round to tackling them, the fact I’m still climbing that writing learning curve … and life, in general, getting in the way.

But still, I find myself wanting to beat my head upon the wall. Other writers manage to tackle obstacles of all degrees and variety in their lives and still get their books written; why can’t I?

I have to keep reminding myself – be patient. My journey is my own. As long as I am making progress, it’s all good. I will get there, in the end.

To make sure I keep this in mind - and to prevent me from pulling out all my hair in frustration - today, I’ve printed out a few quotes and stuck them above my desk where I can see them every time I sit down to tackle my writing.

Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.

~ Saadi

Have patience with all things, but chiefly, have patience with yourself.

~ St Francis de Sales

Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties and obstacles vanish.

~ John Quincy Adams

You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.

~ Franklin P Jones

(Heh, that last one is on the list just because it makes me chuckle … wryly.)

Are you patient with your writing? How do you keep going, when you’re frustrated and far from where you want to be? How do you keep perspective?

For the final word on the topic, I give you that great bard of the 1990s, Mr Axl Rose, and his musings on patience, that most elusive of human qualities ... so knot your bandanas, slip into your tight leathers, and enjoy … and remember to have just a little patience.