What comes to mind when you read that word? A dog with its teeth bared in a growl as it pulls on a rope? A limpet on a rock? Incy-Wincy spider?

 How about a writer bent over a laptop?

Writing (no matter which genre) is not for the faint-hearted, or so I’ve discovered.

My first novel poured out of me like lava down a mountain. I relished the planning process (I’m a plotter for sure) and spent hours researching and making folders full of images and research notes.

I fell in love with my characters; I delighted in the way they told me what to write and changed the dialogue right from under my fingertips. I even savoured the editing process, chopping and rearranging sentences and words a gazillion times, thrilled when my ‘baby’ was finally mature enough to appear in public.

So what happened this time?

Exactly the same thing.

I love my characters. I know them inside out and back to front – ask me anything about them and I can tell you. My files are full of interesting facts and pictures. I’m doing the edits now and I’ve had a blast getting rid of thousands (yes, thousands!) of words because the story is so much better without them.

I’ve been in the zone, locked in my cave … but it feels like it has taken forever.

And I’m glad. Why?

Because it’s taught me perseverance.

Because now I really appreciate and empathise with other writers about the effort needed to produce a book.

Because now I know my love for writing has surpassed the honeymoon stage, navigated the twists and turns of valleys, clambered up and over mountains, and has cemented its place in my heart.

I’ve had to be tenacious as a reader, too. There have been times when I’ve been tempted to give up on a book and then been so pleased I haven’t because it delivered in the end. I love reading really long books, and that requires tenacity. I belong to a book club, and although the recommended book isn’t always my thing, it’s been good for me to persevere because it broadens my horizons.

So what part does tenacity have in your life as a writer or a reader? How has it helped you? I’m looking forward to hearing what you have to say.