Just Give Up!

 Many of us who write have been told since we were young that we are "good writers".  If you're like me, it was a confusing thing to hear.  Over the years, told over and over again how amazing our gift for words is.  Yet, as much as we'd write, we really didn't know what to do with our creations.  Trying and failing to write the next great novel.  Submitting to journals and getting rejections.  The question, "If I'm so good, why can't I.....?"  

It's enough to make you want to give up.  And, I did.  Seriously.  I gathered everything I'd ever written, started a fire and tossed it all in.  Burning to ash every dream I had of being a writer.  For several years, I didn't put a single word on a page.  

What I discovered though, the agony of not writing was far greater than the pain of writing.  So, I began writing again.  Maybe, accomplishment is about attempt and timing. Soon after I self-published my poetry collections, Blackbird Songs and Held.  I became president of Poetry Society of Indiana.  Kept writing and submitting.  Earned a Pushcart Prize Nomination and several other literary award nominations for my work.  It's said success breeds success and sometimes I think how we define "success" is critically important.  

I've now established Gut Punch Literary. It is the umbrella for my work.  Part of that work, three journals.  Gut Punch Literary Journal.  Hoosier Arias. Goth/Hippie Grimoire. I facilitate poetry workshops, open mics, and collaborate with other artists to create unique projects.  

What I'm telling you today.  It's okay to have doubts about your writing.  It's okay to be angry with writing.  It's even okay to stop writing.  But then, get back to writing with an invigorated passion.  Immerse yourself into writing.  Join a writing group, go to workshops, submit to journals.  Your time will come.  You will find the place you belong.