Recently we had some tears in an elementary art class. The children looked at photos of chameleons and then drew them. Then we used bubble wrap to print colorful reptile skin on their chameleons. I thought I’d worked out all the bugs on this new project, but I forgot that many children would get so caught up in the fun of printing with bubble wrap that they’d completely cover up their drawing. Many chameleons got lost in their own camouflage!

It seemed like a disaster, and many wanted to quit, but we brainstormed some ideas and persevered to a new and better project, which you can see at the end.

We writers sometimes feel that way—crushed by a poor performance at a meeting with an editor at a conference (like barely remembering our own name let alone our book’s elevator pitch!).

Or, an editor is interested in one of our projects, but asks for some revisions. No problem; we make the revisions we thought the editor wanted and send off the project. But the editor rejects it, this time for good—2 strikes, and you’re out? What happened to 3 strikes?

Or our work catches the interest of an agent, and we do a happy dance, because our work can now reach more publishers. But shifting editorial needs squelch that first project even though a good agent has worked really hard to sell it.

Many of us have experienced one or all three of these scenarios, and they may make us feel like quitting. But after swamping our sorrows in some chocolate truffle ice cream (which Btw can no longer be found in Colorado . . . I mean, how can we writers get past crushing rejections without it?) Or maybe we prefer to coat our dark thoughts in dark chocolate and peanut butter (which, thankfully, are still available here).

But in the end we don’t quit. We find ways to persevere—after a brisk walk or run to work off all that chocolate—and find ways to move on. Here are 10 ways I’ve found that have helped me persevere in this difficult creative calling.

10 strategies that may help you persevere

1. That walk I mentioned—it usually turns into a prayer walk with kind of whiny complaining and plaintive pleas for some whys—I’m so thankful our loving God listens and understands those kinds of prayers! And then He helps turn those prayers into, “Yes, Lord, you know what’s best for my work and it’s timing. Thank you for continuing to guide me, and please help me not to eat too much more chocolate!”

• I may take a day or two off and enjoy a rest

• I may get out paint and glue and even a little glitter and make a mess (this is the most fun if you have young children or grandchildren)! Of course, you may go back to eating more chocolate when you try to vacuum up all the glitter!

• When I’m ready to head back to work, I may at first just clean up my workspace, and maybe do a little housekeeping on computer files, too. Don’t do this while you’re still down in the dumps, though!

• Then I show up in front of my computer each day again to write, especially if there’s still a little stash of chocolate hiding out there!

The author, Anne Lamott, puts it this way, “Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right things, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up.”

• I also pray that I’ll be thankful for the gift God has given me and remember to enjoy the process. And that He’ll help me leave the outcome in His hands.

• For a while I may work on some shorter projects for online or print publications in my genre. It’s good practice, builds my resume and knowledge of the publishing business. And these publications are not to be sneezed at—they often reach hundreds and even thousands of readers with God’s word.

• I’ll often talk to a writer friend who may be a little further along the path for insights for my path forward.

• While I work on those shorter projects, I pray for humility to accept that my performance may have been less than stellar at that conference or accept the rejection and learn from it. Do I need more preparation for those meetings? Do I need to take a class or read a book on some aspect of my writing?
• When I have a little more humility and insight, I’ll get out my paper and pencils and get to work brainstorming my path forward. Are my goals realistic? If I think I should stick with the present project, does it need a major overhaul or just some minor tweaks? Will it help to put it away for a while to let the ideas percolate! In my previous blog, I wrote about the research that shows pauses can sometimes be helpful--Procrastination or Creative Pause.

Final thoughts from Scripture

Here are a couple pictures of our new and improved chameleon project--a chameleon tree!

As Christian writers, we are called to use our words to spread God’s message and encourage believers. And Scriptures have many verses to encourage us to persevere in our calling. Here is one from Corinthians:

“Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain,” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

What are some ways you have persevered through mistakes and rejections?

Kathy O’Neill grew up in Maine. She loves the Lord and His gifts of family, pets, and walks on the beach when storms send waves crashing against the rocks. As a teacher, writer, and speaker, she enjoys engaging children’s and adult’s hearts and hands to discover God and their own creativity through art, history, and nature. Kathy has written for The Quiet Hour, Light from the Word, Refresh Bible Study Magazine, Highlights, DevoKids, Clubhouse Jr., Starlight, and Appleseeds. Visit her website http://www.kathy-oneill.com/ for a link to her blog and to discover fun activities and workshops.