Blind Faith

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What Does it Take to Succeed

Lately I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about success. And in talking to various writers and industry professionals I’ve come to realize that everyone’s definition of success is a little different. And since every writer’s journey is a little different, it makes sense that the building blocks of success will most likely be different as well.

With that said, there are a couple of constants that seem to come up in the many examples of success I’ve come across. The first is preparation. The second is faith. And, since they are both such complex topics, I figured it was worthwhile unpacking them to try to uncover the benefits and potential pitfalls of incorporating them into your journey.

Preparation

Anyone who’s ever accomplished a near-impossible feat knows about the importance of preparation. Doctors go through years of medical training (studying, observing, practicing) before they feel confident on the job. Athletes who compete in triathlons train all year, non-stop, to prepare their bodies for the arduous physical task. This intense, lengthy preparation is essential.

And it’s no less important when it comes to writing. Writers must read a lot of books. They have to study the craft, engage in conversation with other writers about technique, style, voice, plot. This all falls under the category of general preparation.

When it comes to writing a single book, writers have to take the preparation up a notch. Here, the writer plans the story. This means building out characters, massaging the premise, carving out plot points in the hopes of coming up with a compelling story that is worthy of being written, that is worthy of all the time and energy that must go into it.

And this is the moment that trips many writers up. This is where any uncertainty about the plot can mix with the fear of getting it wrong and messing everything up, which causes the writer to stall. Doubting writers can get in their own heads. They can convince themselves that the idea isn’t ready, the character isn’t fully fleshed out just yet, the inciting incident isn’t powerful enough or the twist leading up to the climax just isn’t working.

They overthink the story and convince themselves that they need more time to plan. Maybe they could just go back to the drawing board, scramble things around, and end up with the perfect formula for a winning book.

But, unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. Preparation works wonders, but it also can be a double edged sword, a crutch that writers lean on when they lack the confidence to take the plunge. It’s easier to dream about writing a novel than actually writing one, and no one knows that better than the over-prepared writer.

Faith

We all know how important it is. It’s the cornerstone of our most powerful relationships, the driving force behind so much we try to accomplish in life. We preach about its virtues. We tell ourselves that as long as we believe in ourselves like we believe in each other, we will be successful. We can move mountains.

That may be so. After all, it is the faith that it will work out in then end, which gives the new writer the courage and fortitude to push through the obstacles in the drafting and revision stages and then to march into the querying trenches with confidence and daring. It can not be overstated how essential faith is to the struggling artist.

An unwavering, unapologetic faith is a beautiful thing. However, it can also be dangerous to the new writer. Left unchecked, or unchallenged, a writer’s belief that it will all work out in the end can lead to oversight.

Writers who rely too heavily on faith alone are in danger of failing to put the work in. They may fail to notice that a character or chapter isn’t landing. They may think that the draft and a single pass of revision is enough for a finished product. They might even ignore crucial feedback from another writer or early reader because it doesn’t fit with their preconceived notion of the project.

Don’t get me wrong. Faith is a crucial part of the journey. But it needs to be checked once in a while to keep writers from resting on their laurels. At the end of the day, nothing can replace honest reflection and the hard work that follows.

The Wrap

Undeniably, preparation and faith are crucial components of a writer’s journey. Preparation at the right stage is one of the most valuable tools in a writer’s tool belt. And faith, if handled with care, can be that secret ingredient that helps a writer project confidence and worth.

Still, as with all things in life, it’s important not to overdo it. Powerful tools, such as preparation and faith can easily become crutches if they are leaned on too heavily.

Of course, the perfect amount of preparation with a healthy dose of faith can help the middling writer transcend the dense crowd of newly published authors and begin to attract a legion of doting readers and admirers.

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