Jan Marquart's Blog - Posts Tagged "enthusiasm"
Enthusiasm
When I speak to audiences about my books I am often asked: what keeps you inspired to write so much? This question always makes me stop for a second as my mind rushes to find just the right words to explain that writing manuscripts takes a lot more than inspiration. It takes hard work, self-discipline and focus. But even as verbose as I can get with my explanations, something is always missing. I just haven't been able to put my finger on it...until today.
Today I found this quote by Winston Churchill and something inside me clicked:
Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.
Ah, that's it. You can keep the word courage or change it to writing. Why didn't I see this before? I've been writing daily since 1979. Of course, it's enthusiasm. Inspiration only gives me the idea for the manuscript. Inspiration is only the spark that lights the fire; it is the switch that gives me a focus and reason to write. However, it is enthusiasm that keeps me writing. And you know, if you have written anything, that there are times when an idea seems to be directing itself, characters take over the page, stories end differently than you planned. Life forms of its own volition as you type like a crazy person trying to take back control of your words.
If an enthusiasm to work through those tedious, tiring, frustrating moments isn't there, what do you have left? Yes, how could I have missed it; it's enthusiasm that keeps me pursuing to the end. Thanks Winston.
Today I found this quote by Winston Churchill and something inside me clicked:
Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.
Ah, that's it. You can keep the word courage or change it to writing. Why didn't I see this before? I've been writing daily since 1979. Of course, it's enthusiasm. Inspiration only gives me the idea for the manuscript. Inspiration is only the spark that lights the fire; it is the switch that gives me a focus and reason to write. However, it is enthusiasm that keeps me writing. And you know, if you have written anything, that there are times when an idea seems to be directing itself, characters take over the page, stories end differently than you planned. Life forms of its own volition as you type like a crazy person trying to take back control of your words.
If an enthusiasm to work through those tedious, tiring, frustrating moments isn't there, what do you have left? Yes, how could I have missed it; it's enthusiasm that keeps me pursuing to the end. Thanks Winston.
