Why is that one criticism or even a well-meaning critique has the power to neutralize a hundred compliments or accolades?
As writers, our words are the scripted hearts that we wear on our sleeves. We put ourselves out there with the best intentions, yet it only takes one negative comment to cause us to question ourselves or, even worse, crush our enthusiasm for writing. How many of us have ignored twenty positive comments on a blog post and ruined our day or week over one rude or insensitive comment?
Today’s post offers an opportunity for you to reset your perspective, especially if you’ve questioned whether your words matter these days.
In one of the most well-known speeches of modern times, President Theodore Roosevelt took issue with early 20th-century trolls who tried to discourage those who wanted to make the world a better place.
Most writers want to make the world a better place. Maybe you don’t, but I’m going to assume that you do. Now, more than ever, your inspiring, encouraging, entertaining or instructing words provide a vital, positive push against the ever-widening grain of negativity that is so much a part of our world today.
If you haven’t read Roosevelt’s classic speech, “Citizen in a Republic,” better known as the “Man in the Arena,” I’ve included it below. If it’s been awhile since you’ve read it, I hope that it inspires you again. It always inspires me!
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”[1]
The credit belongs to you today, writing friend. At Books & Such, we celebrate your courage for sitting back down behind that laptop, even though you’ve been wrestling with that manuscript and wondering if you should keep going or give up. Keep going!
We applaud you for continuing to submit your queries and write your proposals. Even though you haven’t yet achieved the results that you want, you’re holding onto your worthy dream.
You are the definition of “daring greatly,” and we admire you for it.
Remember the training montage in the original Rocky movie? (Click the link to watch. It will totally make your day!)
It’s the scene where an unknown Rocky Balboa has a chance to train for the big fight. No one knows who he is, therefore, no one is betting that he’ll win. But it doesn’t matter.
In that iconic training montage, Rocky presses out one-arm push-ups and punches hanging slabs of fresh meat. Other than his coaches, there is no one else around to celebrate Rocky’s daily ministrations of hope and preparation. As he ran up those iconic Philadelphia steps and fist-pumped the air at the top, Rocky celebrated his commitment to putting in the work whether anyone saw him or not. He believed in himself and put sneakers on that belief. He showed up every day, regardless of whether he would get his big shot.
Dear writer friend, keep showing up. Don’t let the critics keep you away. Spend yourself in this worthy writing cause. Always, yes, always, challenge yourself to dare greatly.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: What part of Roosevelt’s speech connects with you most as a writer? What is a big writer challenge that you need to take, even though you’ll need to dare greatly to do it?
[1] https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/63389/roosevelts-man-arena
Oh, Barb, this is such an important reminder for each of us! I received my 80th rejection letter this week and my husband said, “We should celebrate!” He knows that this rejection and all the others represents 20 years of hard writing work and is a thing of value. I don’t submit very often, just a few times every year. But I’ve been submitting (and writing things to submit, ha!) for 20.5 years this month and that has great value in and of itself. I’m so blessed to be married to a man who understands that! Plus, I have watched my craft improve over the years and have seen my words encourage others as I play photo journalist by keeping up the blog for the camp we work at. If nothing else of mine sells, I know that I have done the Lord’s work just with that blog as I share the trials and joys of Bible camp with those who don’t get to attend but are wondering what their children are up to, ha! The part of the speech that resonated most for me was this: “if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” I don’t want to look back on the next 20.5 years and find that I stopped trying. Onward! To the next 80 rejections and beyond!
Kristen, you are daring greatly! I know that your comment will be such a blessing to someone who needs to read it. Onward! You are so right, onward!
Great attitude. What struck my agent – as the rejections mounted (platform related, we were both pleasantly surprised by the positive comments from the editors on the topic and writing) was that I stayed positive throughout.
Over the years the idea developed and grew, as did easier ways to describe and give the “napkin sketch” of the main themes. For this reason alone I am so thankful that the book was not picked up in back in 2007 when I was first told by a Books & Such client “You HAVE to write this book!” or a few years later when my mind was blown by connecting and signing with an agent through my first writers conference (BIG THANKS to Janet for recommending I sit at his table at some point!)
It is the journey, not just the destination. We write, we communicate, and we can impact lives. And our definition is tied solely to being published, or published by a particular entity. Praying for your camp to continue to change lives, and for that moment when you think you’re opening a next rejection…. and its when all those years in the arena moves you into the spotlight He has planned for you!
Rich, what a joy it was for me to read a little about your publishing/writing journey since I saw you last. Thanks for sharing about it.
I’m gonna keep on trying
even though I know
that all this ends in dying
in a private Alamo.
God gave a fatal ministry
that I might sing
His glory,
that death won’t make us history,
that He so loves our story
that He paid the highest price
to save us from our sin,
and thinking on His sacrifice
each new day I again begin
to write ‘gainst cancer’s inner violence
and bid the poor trolls keep their silence.
Sing on, Andrew! We hear the glory.
Andrew, today’s creation feels like it that could be sung in some type of hymn! “He so loves our story” – yes! yes!
Thank you for this. I needed it today.
Thank you, Barb, for sharing your thoughts. Exactly what I needed to read today! Recently received an editor’s comments on the first pages of my novel. She encouraged me to stay the course, however, the suggestions for ‘what needs fixed’ left me feeling defeated–and wrestling with all the issues you put forth. Am I really a writer . . . is my writing any good . . . do i need to focus my energies on something else far removed from putting my words out there?
The Roosevelt quote has lifted my spirits–and who can overlook the perseverance and courage of one Rocky Balboa? Good stuff!
Micky, thanks for stopping by the Books & Such blog today. I’m so, so glad that you were encouraged by today’s post. It’s really hard when those questions whisper self-doubt, but I love that today’s post lifted your spirt. Write on, Micky!
My dad was a child of The Great Depression. He always said it’s not how many times you fall down it’s how many times you get up! My husband is an academic familiar with rejection letters. He doesn’t call them that. He says they’re just ” do more work” letters. They both help me to see the value in the NO and to keep going after stopping to glean the nugget of truth from the NO that I need to use to improve my work. Thanks for the encouraging words!
Love anything that brings “Man in the Arena” before more eyes. My writing efforts have been on hold several years as I refocused towards growing an ongoing ministry in response to the “Love the topic, like your writing…. but not enough platform” replies from several publishers that – frankly – were far larger than I expected my agent to share my proposal with years back.
The ministry is growing – now in 108 cities in all 50 states, currently launching a side business that will help fund some of the marketing of a book effort…. and most important, I’m getting into more and more meaningful conversations on a regular basis that brings the “burn” to get writing again back that had died down a bit.
Pulling some notes and references out and getting some feedback from new people (some who had no idea I had been speaking and writing before) and this time am willing to consider self-publishing and marketing as an option.
Not quite 100% to making it an official goal for 2022 or 2023, but looking forward to diving back into “Vegetables of the Spirit: When Following Christ Doesn’t Feel Christian!”
(14 years later I think we can bring back vegetables without people humming the Veggietales theme!)
I’m always inspired by that quote, too! I am, however, my worst critic sometimes. I have a special needs son who requires a lot of supervision and direction. Often, after a long day, I can get discouraged and ask, “What’s the point.” But I ask God, and He picks me up, dusts me off, and empowers me to keep going.
I keep saying “yes” to Him, trusting that He works out all the details and increases my meager offerings.
Thank you for this. I needed it today.
And the sad thing is, this silly habit stays with us all along. I’ve talked with other long time writers and they say the same the thing, just don’t read them. Or make a deal with another writer to swap readerships and let you know the good ones or…. the ones that have a comment that might help you become a better writer. That’s always my goal.
Thanks Barb, great message. And much needed always. Had forgotten Roosevelt’s speech. A real keeper for sure. Hugs.
Thank you, Barb. This was just what I needed to hear.
I want to give you a hug, Barb! Nail hit, on the head.
On becoming a Christian, I eventually realized I wanted the best training to be the best servant of God. I did that and certainly got in the arena. As a writer I need to do the same thing and keep learning and growing to become my best to serve others with my words.
My challenge now is to continue with my second book even though the first one took forever, I published it wrong, etc. I think the Covid year wore me out and I’m still recovering and recharging, but I just need to make the decision to do it.
If Rocky lost the fight, would he still be a better person for all his work? Yes. I’ll be a better writer/person if I finish it and it gets attention or not. Thank you!