Sarah Carlson
First and foremost, if you write, you're a writer, not an "aspiring" writer. I think what's really key is the drive to continually push yourself to improve, through reading books on writing, finding other writers to critique your work AND critiquing theirs, attending conferences, and being open to hearing and using tough feedback.
There are lots of ways to define success as a writer. Finishing a book, that's a huge success! Taking the journey to become a traditionally published author is a much longer and harder path, fraught with a whole lot of rejection and self-doubt. Those who make it are the ones who never give up and never stop developing their writing skills. One hundred agent rejections on a book? Find some new critique partners to tear apart your query materials and your book so you can make it better. Or write a new book. Never stop writing. A whole lot of hard work, patience, and perseverence is what gets you there.
There are lots of ways to define success as a writer. Finishing a book, that's a huge success! Taking the journey to become a traditionally published author is a much longer and harder path, fraught with a whole lot of rejection and self-doubt. Those who make it are the ones who never give up and never stop developing their writing skills. One hundred agent rejections on a book? Find some new critique partners to tear apart your query materials and your book so you can make it better. Or write a new book. Never stop writing. A whole lot of hard work, patience, and perseverence is what gets you there.
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