Happy pony. It never gives up. Made this after Chuck Wendig suggested the internet needed more small pony pics.

We all have our share of heartache when it comes to writing or whatever dreams that we pursue. You don’t get enough fans, sell enough books, or find that you’re not good enough to persist. Doubt happens to all of us when it comes to talents or abilities. However, one thing I always hear about writing is that it’s 10 percent talent and 90 percent persistence.

However, I’m going to play devil’s advocate here. Why not quit? What are you really gaining from following your dreams? Peace of mind? Happiness? Something to brag about at swanky cocktail parties?

Here are some reasons to just give up:

1. It takes a lot of time. Writing is hard. Unless you want to be a hack, it takes time to craft worlds, create characters, forge a winning plot, all that jazz.

2. It’s fake. Who really cares that much about fake stuff anyway?

3. Your chances of making a shitload of money aren’t very good. You’re more likely to be attacked by a shark than write a bestselling novel.

4. You’ll be rejected. A lot. By editors, critics, even readers. Critiques sting and can lead to depression.

5. It’s better to just spend time doing something worthwhile that gives returns. Like buying stocks or something.

OK, so there are some reasons to give up. Any of those work for you? If no, then congrats, you have what it takes to be a writer. This is that 90 percent persistence I was talking about.

Writers write because they want to tell stories. Most dream of doing it for a living. You can only get there by ignoring the five things I posted above and keeping your nose to the grind. That’s it. Progress and results don’t come from complaining about your lot. Get to it and you can really do anything. One great thing about being human.

So never give up. For some of us, writing is the reason we breathe. It’s one of my big ones anyway. 🙂