Completing any form of writing is a great accomplishment for a writer. A breakthrough of being able to present something beautiful and inspiring created within. “Whew! A job well-done!” you say to yourself after going through the brainstorming, trying to pin down that beautiful ideas, editing, re-editing and maybe re-editing again. Then finally, voila! You have a complete work. Now, that’s courage and joy right there. It doesn’t matter how you started the first few words or how you struggled in the middle, the most important step in writing is completing your draft.

The real work begins when editing your draft. This is a very sensitive time, as it could either be for the best where a writer makes their work better, or a very discouraging time where they feel “not good enough.” My encouragement to you writer, is to digest your editor’s comment and make the corrections carefully. Don’t take it too hard to heart and don’t let it become a reason for breakdown. Think of the best way that editor’s note could make you a better writer. This will make your next work easier as you will have an idea of how a reader responds to your work.

Editing, as many know is a moment when walls can be torn down, pattern of writing reconsidered and characters revised. This can take several turns which may end up leaving a writer frustrated, especially considering all the work put into the writing. Editing can literarily lead to discouragement and anxiety. But, this is where persistence plays a valuable role.

To understand persistence as a writer, determination must be established in your writing journey: determination to keep learning every day by reading a lot, determination to write better, determination to self-edit better and to consider suggestions from others. The suggestions from others do not necessarily mean you are terrible at your work, but you might just need a little push to make it better. Instead be encouraged, knowing that the determination to take another look at what your work will help you become a better writer.

I encourage all writers to hold on to the things that inspired them to write, hold on to what they believe they can achieve with their writing, and hold on to the joy of letting the words flow through their fingers. This quote by Octavia E. Butler sums it up:

“You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking its good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.”

Anne Etim writes short stories and inspirational blog. She is a wife and mother of two lovely children. When she is not working as a Master data coordinator, she brings to life the creative writing side of her. Movie production and screenplay are the goals she’s building up. Connect with Anne through her social media page.