Sherry Kyle here to encourage you from my laptop in Central California. 

Here’s a quote we all can identify with as writers:

"Real courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what." 
-Harper Lee (To Kill A Mockingbird, 1960)

If you’re anything like me, you feel this way daily. When I place my hands on the keyboard, I wonder if the words I’m going to write will be any good, if they’ll have meaning or if I’m wasting my time. That’s when courage comes into play. It takes courage to be a writer, to see your work through NO MATTER WHAT.  There have been times when I’m ready to throw in the towel—on a project or writing as a whole. But I can’t give up. I won’t. I want real courage.

According to the dictionary, courage means quality of being brave. And words synonymous with courage are: audacity, bravery, daring, guts, nerve, and valor. To truly have courage one needs to have backbone, pluck, fortitude, gumption, spirit, and chutzpah. Does that describe you?

How do we attain the courage we need to succeed: 

• Understand writing is hard work. If it were easy, would it be any fun? 

• Know that rejection is part of the business. Not everyone is going to love our work.

• Realize every writer has a different journey to publication. No two paths are going to be the same.

• Take one day at a time. Meeting today’s goal is all that matters. Tomorrow is another day.

• Remove the inner editor. Rewriting is part of writing.

Sometimes all we need to have a different outlook on our writing is:

• Exercise. Long days sitting in a chair are hard on the body. Get moving! You’ll find your attitude will improve.

• Friendship. By nature, writing is solitary and social interaction is so important to our emotional wellbeing.

• A good diet. Eating nutritious, well-balanced meals will make you feel better.

• Rest! Even when a deadline looms, it’s important to get adequate sleep to help the mind.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

~ Deuteronomy 31:6