Writing a book? These 3 qualities may help you!

Writing endeavors are fun. 
Every time I start writing a new story, I get that same sense of excitement that comes with waking up before dawn and grabbing my suitcases to head to an early morning flight.
Why have I always flown out in the early morning? I don't know. Maybe flights are cheaper when they depart at 4 and 5 a.m. 
But that's not what we're focusing on here, we're focusing on the excitement of writing a new story. 
Oh my gosh, it's so much fun!
But at the same time, it's a little scary because who knows how this thing is even going to turn out and if it'll break your heart a little as it teaches you more about yourself- because if there's one thing you've learned over the years, it's that every time you write a story, you delve a little deeper into your subconscious. 
So, there's all of that going through your mind and it's exhausting because you also have the story to deal with, in addition to the 'how to market/advertise this book' aspect of it all. 
How does a writer get through all of this?

Thankfully, three qualities that you already have come to the rescue: Imagination, the ability to pivot, and confidence in your abilities.
​Let's take a quick peek at how those qualities become your own, personal superheroes when you need rescuing. 

Imagination 

Your creativity helps you out when you get stuck on chapter seven and feel like giving up. Instead of throwing in the towel when writer's block or writing burnout creeps into your wellspring of ideas, you go for a walk or watch a movie or talk to a buddy.
Suddenly, imagination is poking you in the ribs and whispering, "Hey, see that squirrel that just ran by? Use that image to begin Chapter Seven," or "See how your friend just laughed at that joke you made? Use that joke to breathe life into Chapter Seven's boring dialogue." 
Imagination bails you out when you hit those creative dry spots. 

It also helps you when it comes to marketing and advertising. Unless you're very wealthy, this aspect of working as an indie author is incredibly challenging. But your imagination helps you think of ways to raise money for advertising expenses and to think of cost-free ways to promote your book. 

The ability to pivot 

When something in your story isn't quite right, instead of stubbornly sticking to an idea that doesn't work, you adapt. 

Your humility, or the ability to pivot allows you to do this.

It also allows you to accept criticism from critique partners who may be younger and less experienced than you but who point out flaws in your writing.

It can even serve as armor when editors who might not have the best delivery show you "what's wrong with your writing" or point out a few places where your manuscript needs improving. 
Instead of shouting at these people for pointing out your mistakes, you accept their feedback and decide how you can apply their suggestions. 

When it comes to marketing and advertising, you may realize that you've been less than successful because you've been advertising to the wrong audience. So, once again, you pivot. 
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​In the long run, this ability really comes in handy.   

Confidence in your abilities

Okay. I'll be very honest here. I am NOT a confident person. At all. 
But when it comes to things I want to do because I enjoy doing them -things like writing and publishing books- I become very focused, which allows me to sincerely say, "I CAN do this thing."

So, for me (and perhaps for other writers who battle with low-self esteem) it isn't necessarily self-confidence that drives us towards our goals, it's that we just really, really love this one thing and that love for writing propels us forward no matter what obstacles come our way. 

For people who naturally have confidence in their abilities, this beautiful quality allows them to do exactly the same thing. They accomplish what's nearly impossible because where other people see barriers, they see possibilities. 

These are the people who start with $0, become indie authors, and eventually turn $0 into millions thanks to their writing endeavors. 

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So, imagination, the ability to pivot, and confidence in our abilities can help us get through the many challenging moments that appear along the path to our writing goals.

​Are there any other qualities you've found helpful to your creative projects?