Ambition versus Dedication

All writers aspire to recognition, but are we dedicated? Ambition is simply the drive or strong desire for something. It is the enthusiastic wanting, that yearning felt in every pore, every cell in our bodies toward a specific aim. Sounds a lot like an addiction, doesn't it? That's because it is. We become addicted to our fantasy of what it's like to live as a working, paid writer. That fantasy is great, it's wonderful. Keep it. Don't let it take the place of dedication.

Dedication, on the other hand, according to Dictionary.com, is defined as "selfless devotion". I was reading a book entitled "78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published & 14 Reasons Why it Just Might" by Pat Walsh. In the introduction, he talks about the difference between ambition and dedication and writes: "Most people who write a book have ambition, which differs from dedication. With ambition, the goal is the key element. With dedication, the process is the prize."

He's right. If you are selflessly devoted to your writing, the end result should be the act of creation, the act of manifesting, the act of communicating a version of your story that is better than your greatest possible version. If you aspire to greatness, then fantasy is no longer good enough. How dedicated are you to your craft, regardless of your desire for publication and fame?

(re)Dedicate yourself

Letting go (at least temporarily) of ambition and rededicating yourself to your craft is your first step toward achieving your goals. Sounds recursive, I know ? it's the same with that old adage: "just when you're not looking, you'll find Mr./Ms. right". Irritating? Yes. True? Also yes. Here are a few tips to get you on your way toward your newfound perseverance.

Join a writers group or start one yourself.

This will force you to write and to adhere to deadlines and witness other people meeting deadlines and achieving goals. It is positive peer pressure at its finest.

Take writing courses and seminars.

If you can afford it, sign up for that class or seminar you've been longing to take. Better yet, sign up for something that scares you to death, something you feel completely unqualified to take. You will experience the most growth from this class. Too expensive? There are lots of inexpensive, and even free, writing resources on the web, including my website http://www.lawritersgroup.com which is a free online writers group open to writers of all levels.

Write every day.

I know you've heard this so many times, it feels like a bad cliché, and makes you want to throw your computer out the window, but if you are dedicated to the process of writing, you should do it daily. Accept that your life will be a cliché and move forward.

Start living like a writer: Set Goals.

Make deadlines for yourself: "I'll have 30 pages done by a month from today". Make every effort to meet that deadline. Deadlines, like them or not, are part of the literary occupation. Accept it now, and start living that way, start living like a writer.

Read.

Reading in your genre is essential for any writer. Reading about writing and publishing and about story arcs is also helpful. For a list of recently published books for writers, go to http://www.lawritersgroup.com/Books.htm

Now go forth and write with dedication.

Nicole Criona is co-owner and creator of http://www.lawritersgroup.com, a worldwide online writers group open to writers of all levels, which mirrors her Los Angeles writers group. Nicole can be contacted at nicole@lawritersgroup.com.

---

Article Marketing Benefit - Surges in Web Traffic Over and Over Again From Article Writing

Writing dozens, hundreds or even thousands of articles and making... Read More

In Search Of Ideas For Articles

Finding something to write about can be frustrating for all... Read More

An Easy Way to Write An Article: Get Someone Elses!

Every successful website needs to be, what the experts consider,... Read More

You Are Losing Customers By Not Doing This

Not doing what, you ask.Writing and submitting articles.Writing articles is... Read More

Tracking Your Articles Properly

Writing articles related to your business is a great way... Read More

Writing Articles to Boost Your Sites Traffic

Two important factors that play a part in the rankings... Read More

Article Marketing Benefits Online Retailers

Strategically developing online content helps to ensure a small-business owner's... Read More

How To Increase Your Chances of Getting Your Article Published

Publishers and webmasters can spend massive amounts of time just... Read More

Incredibly Bad Articles Will Kill Your Credibility

I've noticed a disturbing trend recently of articles suggesting that... Read More

Reaping The Amazing Benefits of Writing E-zine Articles

Marketing on a budget is tough. This is a universal... Read More

Ten Steps to Writing a Winning Top Ten Article

Have ever wished that there were a formula for crafting... Read More

Dont Just Sit There, Write A Newsletter Article

Need traffic? Write an article.Need sales? Write an article.Need Your... Read More

Reprint Article Headlines ? the Reader is Secondary

A great headline can be the difference between having your... Read More

How to Write Articles that Sell

In order to sell your article must do three things:1.... Read More

Write Your Slice of Life: 6 Quick and Easy Steps to Writing a Personal Essay

Do you know why the "Chicken Soup for the Soul"... Read More

Advertisements and the Freelance Writer

Advertisements are one of the biggest indicators of a magazine's... Read More

You Should Seriously Consider Making Money With Your Words

Sometimes when I am communicating with other webmasters and I... Read More

Promote Your Home Business with Keyword Rich Articles

Do you wonder what easy, cheap, and fast way you... Read More

Theres More Than One Way To Carve This Turkey

Although this may sound like a funny metaphor, if you... Read More

How to Cash in on the Huge Online Demand for Writers

Currently many online writers and would-be online writers, feel very... Read More

Write Articles That Get Results

It's no secret that writing and publishing helpful articles is... Read More

Article Writing Strategies To Get Into Zen Flow ? 7 Tips

The more you write, the larger your impact. If that's... Read More

Using Anchor Text Optimization In Your Article Viral Marketing Campaign

What is Anchor Text Optimization?Anchor text optimization consists of the... Read More

Article Marketing 101 ? Article Writing Establishes You as an Expert

If you market online, whether it be your own information... Read More

Are You Submitting Your Articles?

Last month, I began promoting Jason Potash's "Article Announcer." I... Read More

Finding Time To Write

A true test for many writers that will require your... Read More

Writing Articles Sells Books

Are you a reluctant marketer for your book? Do you... Read More

Building Your Site With Other Peoples Content--Part 2

Earlier, I published part 1 of this series, which contained... Read More

The Best and Fastest Way to Get Unlimited Free Back Links Guaranteed!

Submitting Articles for redistribution is the best way to get... Read More

Six Whys of Writing

You pick a pen, grab a piece of paper and... Read More

Top Ten Tips to Write Articles that Will Get Published

This free way to promote or publicize your book or... Read More

Article Marketing & Copywriting Secret: How To Make Your Article TITLE Sell

Most authors are wasting their time producing dozens to hundreds... Read More

How to Find Ideas for Articles & Speeches

Do you have problems finding ideas for articles and speeches?I... Read More