I knew what I wanted when I was 17. I achieved some of my goals, and some of them changed on the way without me realizing it. Apparently, I don't set the goals; I just work towards them.

Lifewise, how long is it okay to struggle before giving up? It's not easy to fight a battle that cannot be won, especially if it's somebody's else battle, so one starts fighting harder, quicker, with more determination. No baby steps. They are better than standing still or rolling back, but if there's a deadline for reaching the finish, they are not enough. Do you still keep walking, even if you know that you won't make it in time? Writingwise, if you feel the book you've started and worked a lot on "isn't it", do you stop and start another project, or keep plugging on? Do "R's" discourage you or make you work harder?

And my biggest success? I guess, I just want to be a nice person and bring someone happiness. Career, family, social life, self-image - we often want it all. But sometimes all we need is to be loved and to be understood. Maybe that's why I like romance novels - the HEA promises it's possible.

Last years, several people I know sold, my friend finaled in several prestigious contests and got an agent, and another friend - some time earlier - defeated brain cancer. If you have any stories of success after a hard struggle, career-wise, publishing-wise, love-wise, your own or of someone you know or even read about, share by all means. I don't want to believe in closed doors. I want to believe in open windows.

As much as being published has been a dream of mine, I think the fact I have a husband who is devoted to me and three healthy mostly-human kids is a bigger triumph.

I don't have any great life-changing stories, I think the little triumphs are what matter. If you can wake up and smile during the day, that's an accomplishment.

Rene, agree, if one can smile through the entire day, that's a huge accomplishment! And lol on "mostly-human kids"!

Personally - my cousin and his wife tried 18 years to have a baby. Finally they did - he's about 14 now.

Writing - Before William Saroyan got his first acceptance he had a pile of rejection slips thirty inches high - maybe 7,000 in all. So there - I'm not giving up until I've been rejected 8,000 times. As far as a book I'm working on - if I really know that it's not ever going to go anywhere - that the fire has gone totally out, I'll put it aside and start something else. That's why it's sometimes good to have a couple of projects going at the same time.

I think in some cases, "giving up" gives you the chance to focus on doing something more constructive - it's never a negative to stop wasting your time and effort. It's a judgment call in each case.

The good thing about writing is (unlike some other things), that even if you put something that isn't working to one side, nothing you ever do is actually wasted - it's either the real thing, or useful work towards the real thing.

Olga, well, you've accomplished being liked. I think you're the best. As far as projects go, I've dropped a few, but I do plan to finish them some day. I've had a ton of rejection, though I'm never giving up. I will get to where I want to be.:)

Bailey, that's a great story about your cousin and his wife! Good that they didn't give up after, say, 17 years. And I actually learned the same story in our family - a couple going to have a baby after many years of trying!

Claire, thanks for the advice! Indeed, in writing, even the stories that get deleted can be chalked up to learning experience!

Jerri, oh, thank you, sweetie! And I love your attitude, and frankly, I think you've already accomplished a lot!

I guess deciding if its worth it to keep going is if you're happy doing it most of the time. Everything has its ups and downs, but it's better to be up more than the down. My struggle has been the writing, and finally selling. It's an uphill battle for everyone, but if it makes you happy, keep going. =D

As far as writing is concerned, I think it's very important to surround yourself with like-minded individuals who you can lend support to and lean on when it's needed. Otherwise, it'd be too easy to give up. Those rejections mean less when you have someone to nudge you back into the chair!

Kelly, thanks! And yours is one of the stories of writing success I know. Thanks for advice!

Meretta, totally agree. Fortunately, I have such people are there for me when I need it, and I'm there for them when they need me. Life is too difficult to walk through it alone!

Hi Olga! I believe or I wouldn't be able to keep on going. :) And as for writing... I keep on mostly because I can't do otherwise - I love it too much not to write.
Cole

Cole, that's great when you can love something so much you just can't quit! Awesome! And thanks for visiting!

Great post! I write because it's something I enjoy and so even if I decided not to seek publication, I'd probably still write. The last rejection I got actually seemed to spur me forward. I thought... I'm another ms closer to the one!:)

A dear friend of mine has been single for 18 years after a terrible divorce. Even though she's had a rough life, she's the most giving person I know, she's gorgeous and has a ton of personality. She'd given up--and then she went on a blind date. Now, she's getting married to a man who I believe will treasure what he's found and treat her like a queen. She deserves it. Good karma does come back in abundance. I'm twenty years younger than her, and I can hang in there.

I love this quote Olga :) 'Life is too difficult to walk through it alone!' Gotta keep that one.

April, thank you for the compliment! And I love your attitude towards R's. It's the right one, and I truly hope one day it will lead you to sale!

Marty, wow, what a story! Though it's really sad that even gorgeous, giving women with a ton of personality have difficulty finding a significant one, I'm so glad that she got what she deserved! And definitely hang in there. You're an amazing person, and your happiness will find you.

Lis, ah, sweetie, you make me blush! Thank you for the compliment!

Sometimes windows open up but we get scared when we look down.

My sister completely has a triumph in her life. Just after her 21st birthday (2 yrs ago now), she got hit with a strange "bug" that got so bad she wound up in ICU on breathing and feeding tubes, paralyzed and with a collapsed lung. The doctors prepared us for the worst. But she was way too stubborn to accept her diagnosis. After three months of hard work, she put her walker away for good and hasn't looked back.

She's my hero :)

Kat, this is one of the most amazing and inspirational stories I've ever heard!

It's true too. I think we had a blog up that documented her progress. www.getwellsoonang.blogspot.com , I'm pretty sure that was the addy!

But it just shows that miracles can and do happen!

Kat, thanks for the linkie - I'll make sure I'll stop by!