Tuesday, February 5, 2013

*SUCCESS*


Years ago I read a writer’s account of what an insatiable beast the craving for success can be. If you get a positive rejection, you need to have an acceptance. If you have an acceptance, you need it to be from a large publisher. If you get a contract from a large publisher, you need to have great reviews. If you get great reviews, you need to have fantastic sales. If you have great sales, you need awards. If you have great sales, glowing reviews, are published by the largest publisher, and have awards dripping from your lapel, why oh why isn't one of those The Nobel???
Back to what success really means to me- do good work and stay sane. Success!

12 comments:

Jennifer said...

Amen!

Ann Herrick said...

So true! While it's always good to have goals to be better, one really needs to appreciate whatever current successes on has too. :)

Vijaya said...

Well said, Mirka. I love this quote taped to in office (attributed to Emerson, but perhaps the original author might be Bessie Stanley):

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

Mirka Breen said...

You just made this blog better with this^. Thank you, Vijaya.

Kelly Hashway said...

Success comes in all sizes and all should be celebrated. :)

sruble said...

Do good work and stay sane sounds like an excellent plan!

Anna Staniszewski said...

Ah yes, this sounds familiar. It's nice to keep pushing ourselves toward new goals, but that shouldn't be at the expense of celebrating our accomplishments.

Shannon Hitchcock ~ Children's Writer said...

Two worthy goals. Yes, success is like chocolate. We always want a little more.

Marcia said...

This is like remembering that life is the journey, not the destination. It's sad to be looking ahead so much that we miss what is.

Mary Witzl said...

Yes. We should aim to be the best we can be and try to forget all the trappings of success. Doing good and staying sane is a worthy mantra.

Evelyn said...

An excellent post and a good reminder, Mirka. And, Marcia, I really like your reminder as well. An important part of all of this for me is trying to remember not to compare myself with other writers, but to try to use the abilities God has given me in the best ways I can for him and for others.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE your definition of success, because with this definition comes contentment and thankfulness.