I’ll be on calls for the rest of the day. I’m on deadline for articles, and I’ve been hired as a writer for a national marketing campaign. Why bother putting a blog post up on the JBE? I don’t know—maybe because I think having a blog and updating content is important. I’ve been doing that for as long as I’ve been writing. Why stop now?

Then, for some reason, I’ve gotten emails from writers soliciting advice. I guess they thought I might have a “magic bullet” related to writing, or something. I hate to disappoint, but I don’t consider myself the model of success, at least in terms of the usual way the term is sliced and diced. It’s possible they had me confused with someone else.

Since people are asking, let me briefly hold court on the topic.

One of the writers has had success, at least I consider having a book published, “success.” But like happens to many writers, things change, sometimes overnight. If you’re not in it for the long haul, during these times “in the desert,” it’s easy to think you’re doing things wrong.

I am still writing. Being a writer is what I set out to do back in the early 2000s and I’ve stayed the course. I’ve had several detours out of necessity, mainly related to paying the bills, but even when I was working full-time, I was still freelancing, putting out books, and honing my craft. So, if success can be joined to stick-to-itiveness, then yes, I guess I am successful.

Success=hard work

Sorry to disappoint, but there are no magic bullets—at least I haven’t found any that made being a writer the equivalent to coasting downhill. Writing’s tough, finding enough work is sometimes harder. Being a writer, as much as some people romanticize it is like any other profession—it’s hard work!

Then, bad things can happen to you. Your son might be killed, or you might face some other tragedy. You might have a health crisis. Getting back on your horse is tough. People who used to champion your writing might decide to abandon you.

Even before Mark was killed, I wondered if this “writing thing” was worth continuing with. I know Mark believed in me and he’d always share pearls of wisdom with me that he’d cultivated in his own life and from his commitment to his craft as a writer and poet.

I’m back writing regularly for auto trade magazines. I landed a project because I can write and others recognized that. I have a book manuscript I’m shopping, so yes, the slog continues.

As an aside, one tip I always leave with writing students, whether it’s one of my eight-week classes, or a Saturday boot camp on publishing: start a blog. Why? Because having a blog is an excuse for you to write as often and as regularly as you want. I can’t believe more people who call themselves writers don’t avail themselves of this. I’ve always believed this and have preached it: “writers, write.” That’s what I’m doing here. See what I just did? If you did, then there’s hope for you.

Since I’m not as committed to answering personal correspondence these days as I used to be, let me dispense with a few tips from my own life and let this post serve as my response to those querying me.

• Believe in yourself because most other people won’t
• Don’t take rejection to heart
• Write what you know
• Limit your time on social media
• Have a thick hide
• Cultivate resilience
• Just keep at it

I’d also add, look beyond your own backyard for opportunities. Everything I’m doing right now isn’t based in the state where I live. In fact, I’m done pitching local editors.

Nothing magical in this post. Success is rarely about magic and almost always about hard work and staying at it. Here’s what Stephen King had to say on the topic, and I followed his advice.