Dear Ones,
The pursuit of anything meaningful in our lives requires persistence, especially our creative endeavors. I have been writing for 22 years and have published several novels, three of them bestsellers on Amazon and Nook. A large part of my success as a writer can be summed up in one word:
I’m not sure why I am able to persist when others have not. Maybe being obstinate is a good thing. Maybe my belief in myself–that I have something to say–is just enough to keep me going. Maybe I know I will always have regrets if I don’t persist. Maybe it is fear that drives me, in addition to love for the craft of writing stories. Perhaps persistence is made up of several small things.
One thing that has stayed consistent over the last couple of decades while I’ve grown and lived into my writing career has been my collection of quotes that I look at whenever I feel discouraged. I guess it’s my way of standing on the shoulders of giants. With that in mind I offer you my
Top 10 quotes about persistence:
When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.
–Harriet Beecher Stowe
A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence. — Jim Watkins
Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently. –Maya Angelou
Vitality shows not only in the ability to persist, but in the ability to start over. –F. Scott Fitzgerald
If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking. –Buddhist Saying
Life is not about how fast you run or how high you climb but how well you bounce. –Vivian Komori
Bear in mind, if you are going to amount to anything, that your success does not depend upon the brilliancy and the impetuosity with which you take told, but upon the everlasting and sanctified bull-doggedness with which you hang on after you have taken hold. –A.B. Meldrum
Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying: ‘I will try again tomorrow.’ –Mary Anne Radmacher
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated failures. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. –Calvin Coolidge
First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won’t. Habit is persistence in practice.
–Octavia E. Butler
What do you think of these quotes about persistence? Do you have a favorite? Or are there others you might add? I love hearing from readers so feel free to comment. xo
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Susan Gabriel is an acclaimed southern author who lives in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Her novels, The Secret Sense of Wildflower (a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2012), Temple Secrets (2015) and Trueluck Summer (2016) are Amazon and Nook #1 bestsellers.
> Maybe being obstinate is a good thing. Maybe my belief in myself–
> that I have something to say–is just enough to keep me going.
Thumbs up to that.
Thanks, John. 🙂
Hi Susan,
I understand our paths will cross next month when our book club will visit you to enjoy your company and to discuss . . .The Secret Sense , . . . I understand you live next door to Susan S. whom I have known for several years. I treasure her friendship. My book of poetry “A Light Beyond” and Rich Schram’s detective story came out this year within a couple of weeks of each other. Interesting. I’m having a reading Thursday, Nov. 2 at 1pm at UUTC on South Broad. Maybe you can come for an hour.I’d love to see you. Alex
First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won’t. Habit is persistence in practice.
–Octavia E. Butler
I love to write, but I tend to wait for inspiration. When I’m inspired, the words flow. My best writing comes from inspiration. Unfortunately, inspiration waxes and wanes, leaving me with piecemeal chapters, stories, poems, but no cohesion. I know that habit would be more beneficial. Others tell me to write everyday – just sit down and do it! This quote confirmed it again for me.
By the way, Wildflower and her family WERE my mother’s family. We connected with the book in almost a spiritual sense. Very good. Thanks for posting!
Hi Alex,
Congratulations on “A Light Beyond”! I look forward to seeing you soon.
With every good wish,
Susan
Hi Jenny. I hear you. Inspiration (the muse) is a bit over-rated, I think. What works for me is to think in terms of dedication. I am dedicated to my writing, therefore I write whether I am inspired or not. Sometimes the inspiration hits when I am writing. Sometimes it hits when I am rewriting. But dedication to my craft is how I have finished stories. I wish that for you because it sounds like you have something to say.
Also, I’m so glad you connected to Wildflower’s story. I am currently working on book 3 of the Wildflower trilogy and feel so honored to be working with these characters again.
Thanks so much for reading and for commenting!
With every good wish,
Susan
Hi Susan. Good to see this posting of yours. It’s been a few years. Still tripping along merrily, in France and loving it. Have had to apply several of these quotes recently, and all of them merit paying attention to. Thanks for posting.
Hi Trelys. Great to hear from you! I’m so glad you are doing well and still tripping along merrily in France. I love thinking of you there. I hope the quotes were helpful. Thanks so much for touching base.
With every good wish,
Susan
I’ve often said I don’t need inspiration to write, only time.
…Well, that and coffee. Coffee is important.
For me it’s organic Assam tea, but I hear you, John. 🙂
A de Fussigny cognac works too! 🙂