Hey everyone! I'm SarahBensonBooks here on Wattpad and am happy to be returning to the Block Party. I wanted to thank my friend KellyAnneBlount for putting the party together and providing the opportunity to share my thoughts with you! She always does such an amazing job on these parties.

I've been thinking what to write about for awhile now and finally settled on a topic that's been on my mind lately. I wrote about this topic on my blog a few years ago and thought it would be worth revisiting.

What do you do when you feel like quitting?

This is a poignant post for me because I've been there. It's hard to stay motivated when the story isn't coming, or I get one more "this isn't quite right for me" response to a query, or after an exhausting day with the kids and work and all I want to do is curl up on the couch in front of Netflix.

It's one of the unique things about being a writer.

Most of us have to labor at the craft for a period of time, usually years, before we know we have something to show for it. What other job would you work that long and hard for without an assurance that you will be paid?

It's hard to shush the sneaky voices inside our heads asking, "What if you're not good enough? What if you spend all this time on your writing and nothing comes of it? Is it worth the sacrifice when you could be spending (fill in the blank—more time with the kids, cleaning the house, relaxing, exploring a hobby, working a job that actually pays)?"

I don't know of a single writer who hasn't struggled to stay motivated at some point. Most writers can point to piles of rejection letters and manuscripts that probably ought to be torched. At what point do you transition into publishable?

A lot of people want to be writers. A lot of people give writing a shot and quit when it doesn't come easily. What I want to know is why some people stick with writing long enough to "make it" and some don't? What is the difference?

I remember one time I had completed a manuscript and had thought it was fairly polished, but then the structural edits came back and it needed a lot more work than I realized.

Discouraged, I quit writing for awhile. I couldn't muster up the energy to keep it up. I wasn't sure what direction to take. I wondered whether I even had the potential to be a good writer.

In the midst of my funk, I stumbled across this video. It helped me, and I hope it can help you.

Tony Robbins, Frank Kern and John Reese have some interesting insights into why we succeed or fail. Most people have heard of Tony (Mr. Motivation), but if you don't know Frank or John, they are internet marketing guys. It's a little long, but watch it, particularly from about 3:25 to 19:10. The rest of this article will make more sense if you do.

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Okay, pretty fascinating, right? Let's dig into how this applies to writers.

Why Do Writers Fail?

The main reason writers fail is because they quit. Why do they quit? Generally, it's because of fear, which leads to doubt. Fear is what keeps people from seeing something through. If you notice all the excuses above, they are all rooted in fear. I'm not good enough. I'm wasting time. Nothing will come of it. They are all rooted in the negative. It's as if you already know you're not going to make it. Doubt and fear is what causes hesitation. Doubting your potential is the biggest motivation killer. Before you know it, you revert to old habits and your dream is never realized.

Here's a motivation chart graphic I created based on Tony Robbins' concept.

This concept is a universal truth that can be applied to any endeavor.

                   
What gets people excited is progress.

The problem is there is often a breakdown with the process.

Most writers know they have potential, at least some. So they dig deep, churn out the writing, pluck up their courage and send it out to agents. For most writers, frustration follows as they wait to hear back from agents, or their agents shop their manuscripts from publishing house to publishing house with no bites. Others experience the frustration of self publishing a book that no one's buying.

The writers have tapped into their potential and have taken action, but they are not seeing results. What does that do? It kills momentum. It shakes their belief in themselves. They question their potential. It's harder to take action. Less action means fewer results, and unless you're one of those dedicated people who persist, it's hard to keep writing without any perceived progress.

We all know of writers that get stuck in this limbo. Getting caught in this downward cycle is poisonous and self-fulfilling. That is a major reason why so many quit. Failing kills their desire.

What Keeps Us From Moving Forward

Most people have preconceived notions of their potential, and though they likely are capable of more, it's difficult to convince them of that. Why? Because of limiting beliefs that are formed shortly after birth. We are programmed by what we hear from parents, friend, teachers. Our beliefs are formed based on successes and failures experienced as a child.

But how accurate are these perceptions? The truth is, most of us are living far below our potential. We are capable of so much more.

If you are taking too little action, it's likely you need to start with examining your beliefs. Sometimes we think success is for other people, but not for me because _________ (fill in the blank, we all have excuses, right)?

Here's the deal. Successful people all know this is bunk. Why? Because they've been there—with big dreams and little to show for it. They work themselves into a state of belief and block out anything that challenges that conviction. Eventually they are successful, and they know that they are not any more special than anyone else. They simply created a mindset that permitted them to dream and then pursued it until it became a reality. It's an inner belief that no one can take away from them. Failure is not an option.

This is such a powerful concept.

I've heard it said that successful people have two extra inches to their intestines. In other words, they've got more guts. It takes guts to believe in yourself when it seems no one seems to. As writers, we have unique insights into our potential and what we uniquely have to offer, and it would be a shame to throw that potential away simply because others don't yet appreciate it.

Are some people more naturally talented in some things than others? Yes. Are some born into more ideal situations that others? Sure. But consider this:

Too many of us waste our time comparing our weaknesses to other people's strengths that we never never take the time to discover what we uniquely have to offer.

It's up to us to determine what our strengths are and make the most of it.

The change has to happen in your mind first. Your mindset determines the difference.

You have to be more afraid of what life will be like if you don't follow through. You have to believe you can overcome whatever obstacles block you. You have to refuse to be mediocre. You have to know with a certainty that you can do this.

When you're sure, you will do whatever it takes because you know it will happen and when it happens, you will manifest what you first saw only in your mind. That's why it's so important to understand this, because if you are consciously aware of how and why breakdown happens, it will empower you to break that downward spiral.

The Most Important Thing You Can Do to Succeed as a Writer

The most important thing you can do to succeed is to develop a mindset of certainty that has nothing to do with the publishing process and the speed with which agents and publishers deliver or quality of feedback from your readers. These things are out of your control. But developing a state of certainty is in your control. Tell yourself if I can't find a way, I will make a way.

Before you know it you will:

• Tap a lot more potential

• Certain of potential, you will take massive action

• Taking massive action, you will get great results

• Getting great results will reinforce your belief

Now that your belief system is stronger, you will tap into more potential. You will take more action. You will get more results. You will be in a positive, upward cycle and you will feel awesome!

Getting in an empowering state of certainty helps you ride out the low points and avoid discouragement as you are fixed in the determination that working long enough and smart enough, you will realize your dreams.

It's not easy to break in as a writer. Most writers experience debilitating lows. I am inspired by the stories of authors who push on despite personal tragedy and in the face of rejection.

Mary Higgins Clark is one author that inspires me. When she was eleven, her father died, leaving her mother to raise three kids. She married and had five children. While the children were still young, Clark's husband suffered a fatal heart attack and his mother collapsed at his bedside. In one night, she had lost both a beloved husband and mother-in-law.

Clark had to provide for her children, which were only ages five to thirteen. She took a job writing radio segments and went back to school. Despite her busy schedule, she didn't give up her writing dream. She woke up early and wrote from 5:00 – 7:00. Eventually the hard work and belief led to her selling her first mystery novel "Where Are the Children?" for $3000. The book was an instant hit and she was offered $100,000 for the paperback rights. Her 51 books all went on to become bestsellers and earned her millions.

Amanda Hocking's story is another inspirational one, and it all started with Muppets. Hocking had spent nine years trying to interest traditional publishers in her writing with no luck. She heard that an exhibition about Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets, was coming to Chicago. She had no money to go, but she had an idea of how to raise some. She put her story up on Amazon to see what would happen. Six months later, she had raised not only the $300 she needed to go to the exhibition, but made an additional $20,000 selling 150,000 copies of her books. Over twenty months, Hocking sold $1.5 million books.

Yes, Hocking was fortunate to get in the early stages of self-publishing, but what I find interesting about both stories is neither author had an easy path to publishing. For years, they kept pursuing their dream despite the setbacks and rejections. They had no way of knowing for sure they would succeed, but they had faith in themselves.

Consider these bits of advice to help you stay motivated as a writer.

• Figure out what "success" means to you as a writer. Some choose to make writing their career. Others write professionally, but want to still work another career. Still others choose to write as a hobby and have no intention of selling their writing. All of these approaches are legitimate and will determine the time and resources necessary to achieve success.

• There are many possible pathways to publishing. Knowing that your success as a writer is not dependent on agents or publishers will help you have more confidence in completing your stories.

• Create an environment in which success can happen. Set up a time to write and define the writing goals you want to achieve. When you create a ritual of doing a little bit each day, you gain momentum. The most important thing is that you create a plan, start, and carry it through.

• Get into a state of certainty and block anything that creates doubt. You will follow through when you're in state. Robbins says that the middle-man's land of maybe it will work, maybe it won't, is the piece that kills people. If it's a must for you, you've got to make it work.

• Breakthroughs happen by conditioning your mind every day, by feeding it a role model or story. Imagine yourself being successful. Surround yourself with things that encourage you and avoid things that discourage. Create results in your mind that make you feel as if you've already accomplished your goal.

• Get hungry. You have to ask yourself why writing is a must for you. If you're not hungry, get around people who are hungry and you will be inspired. A great way to do this is by reading books by writers you admire. Wattpad is another great place to be inspired, as your readers push you to increase your output and stay accountable.

Have you ever struggled on your journey as a writer? I would love to hear your stories and how you overcame your challenges.

I am giving away an ebook of BORN OF SHADOW to one lucky winner. My giveaway is open internationally. I will include a link to the giveaway below.

Here is a synopsis from WHITEOUT, a short story included in the SNOW anthology written by several awesome Wattpad authors.

Synopsis: Alicia Larson wakes up in a remote cabin in northern Idaho, unable to remember who she is or why she is there. She stumbles into a gas station and is shocked to discover from a missing persons poster that she has been gone for eight months! A handsome doctor helps her try to escape her mental prison and regain her lost memories.

When the police can't find Alicia's kidnappers, she realizes her terrifying ordeal is far from over unless she can piece together the clues that will reveal what happened to her. Soon, even the closest people in her life are under suspicion, and time is running out to prevent something terrible from happening, again.

To get a sneak peek of the story, head over to my profile @SarahBensonBooks and read Snow Anthology.

The SNOW anthology is available to buy here:

Amazon: http://getbook.at/SnowAnthology

iBooks: https://itun.es/us/EX1Nib.l

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/snow-kelly-blount/1126023141

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/snow-49

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I would also like to share a few other stories I have available on Wattpad.

THE SHADOW WARS Series

BOOK 1: BORN OF SHADOW

Synopsis: On her seventeenth birthday, Kami receives a mysterious artifact and a ticket to visit her estranged grandparents in Egypt. When she arrives, no one is there to meet her. Alone in an unfamiliar country, she discovers their disappearance is only part of a greater threat.

Whispers of strange creatures made of a shadowy substance can be heard among the nomads of the desert. A new queen has quietly come to power, given strength by a powerful evil unleashed when she opens an ancient jar. Kami must rely on a band of misfit friends she makes along the way to save her grandparents and stop the queen. But does the handsome boy she just met have the answers, or is he part of the reason for her grandparents' disappearance?

BORN OF SHADOW is a featured story on Wattpad. It has hit top 10 rankings in adventure, fantasy and paranormal hotlists. It was chosen by the hit TV show ONCE UPON A TIME for their Best Heroes & Villains list and is now available to buy on Amazon!

US - Amazon:

BookDepository: (free worldwide delivery)

http://www.bookdepository.com/Born-Shadow-Sarah-Benson/9781500570736

BOOK 2: THE BLOODSTONE PROPHECY

The series continues in the #1 ranked THE BLOODSTONE PROPHECY, the sequel to BORN OF SHADOW.

RESTLESS HOPE

Synopsis: Beth Malcolm is pinning all her hopes on winning a competition that will not only launch her business, but help her save her family home. Things quickly become complicated when the business mentor assigned to her turns out to be her exfiance. Loosely based Jane Austen's story, "Restless Hope" is modern PERSUASION meets SHARK TANK.

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You can hang out with me here:

Wattpad: https://truyen2u.com/tac-gia/SarahBensonBooks

Website: http://www.SarahBensonBooks.com

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/sarahbensonbooks

Twitter: http://twitter.com/sarahbensonbook

Instagram: http://instagram.com/sarahbensonbooks

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sarahbensonbook

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9025513.Sarah_Benson

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Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway!

SarahBensonBooks is giving away an ebook copy of BORN OF SHADOW to one lucky winner. My giveaway is open internationally. I will include a link to the giveaway below. Good luck!

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Enter the #WattpadBlockParty Giveaways for Your Chance to Win Amazon Gift Cards, Signed Paperbacks, E-Books, Shoutouts from Your Favorite Wattpad Authors, and Much More!

Link: https://goo.gl/2x2anC