The One Trait Every Writer Needs

Originally posted on June 25, 2014 on my Only for the Brave blog, I offer this advice again. It’s advice that never gets old.

This trait is the one trait that finally saw me getting my first novel published. Originally, I had said if I wasn’t published with a novel by the time I turned 40, I would quit. At 40, I was so close, I couldn’t quit. At 42, I published my first book.

It’s a trait no writer should be without.

The one trait a writer can’t be without is PERSISTENCE.

The persistent writer:

• 1. Submits their work.
  2. Accepts rejection. (It’s not personal).
  3. Accepts criticism.
  4. Wants criticism because they know growth occurs when mistakes are pointed out.  Plus, criticism means the writer engaged the reader, of if nothing else, hit a nerve.
  5. Pays attention to the details.
  6. Rewrites or revises, and rereads for polishing again.
  7. Resubmits.

And, repeats steps 6 & 7 repeatedly until SUCCESS (acceptance/publication) is finally achieved.