"I never write anything terrible, I'm too many miles in."
-Bob Lefsetz
Every single person you meet has an idea. Almost as many have talent. What I know is that all the successes I've had come not from some magical place of talent, but from working hard. When you're still writing three hours after you stopped writing, when you're rehearsing three weeks before rehearsals start and nine minutes before the first day of shooting, when you're writing ideas, or filming ideas, rather than telling people about them; that's when it comes together. Every time you share an idea in a pub, or coffee house, or on Facebook chat; ask yourself if your time could be better spent elsewhere.
I wanted to be a professional footballer. But I hated being on the pitch every rainy-and-cold Sunday morning. David Beckham hated the cold too, but he loved the way it felt when his right-foot connected perfectly with the ball. He loved it so much he never left the training ground. He never noticed it raining. He moved to L.A. and married the pop star and won all the trophies, not because he was good looking or because he was a celebrity but because he stayed out in the rain every Sunday and Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday and Saturday. He still does now. If you're not out there in the pissing down rain on a freezing cold night, every single day of your life, then you're not going to make it.
"My secret is practice."
-David Beckham
It's a nice idea but I don't think this analogy quite works. Success as a footballer feels, to me at least, more about application and talent and less about luck and connections than writing is. An interesting post though.
ReplyDeleteMy experience has been that talent mixed with application and perseverance makes more writers than connections. I mean, of course, if you're related to Spielberg, it's different. But in general - the writers I know who've done well, it came from knowing no-one.
ReplyDeleteThe writers who don't make don't seem to fail because of bad luck or lack of connections, but more on-- their beliefs about writing, and the industry. i.e. - your view about connections multiplied by complete paranoia and disdain for the 'gatekeepers' - people just end up throwing themselves into a big rut!
I'm not sure if that made any sense. I'm tired. But yeah; the writers who keep doing it again and again get the connections because if you keep going long enough and contacting people and chasing it; you'll come across everyone you need to come across. I guess that's my point.
wow, I kept missing out words all through that response. I need sleep, and a blogging-app that fills in words I forget to think/write.
ReplyDeleteFantastic. And so very true of anything of which we desire to succeed. Sure, some people are just plain lucky, but staying power, long-term success comes with discipline, hard work, the ability and willingness to keep your feet firmly planted in the mud. ;)
ReplyDeleteVery inspirational - thanks.
ReplyDeleteI always felt like the key to success was really LIKING what you are doing. That way, it really isn't work when you practice---it's fun.
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing people saying how much are authors paid, you dont do what you love became of the money or fame, you should be doing it because it is what you love,at least that is what i kind of get from this, that and you are only weak if you quite, so keep working to achieve your dreams.
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