9 Proverbs to Keep Writers Positive

When I was teaching high school, I learned one of my most important life lessons.  No matter what dilemma I was facing in my personal life—my kids misbehaving, odd car engine noises, or too little time for myself—when I got to school and walked into the classroom the students deserved my best.  I called it Mrs. Cougler’s travelling road show. At the door I chucked my foul mood and pasted on a smile.  Funny thing was, in no time the smile was real and I was my happy self again because you get back what you give out.

This is a lesson I’ve had to remember with my writing both for myself and for my blog readers.  Nobody wants to read a rant.  No one likes a whiner and no one, I mean, no one will read whining prose.  Oh, everyone has down days, but the secret is learning to move past the rejections, the paragraph that just won’t come, or the less-than-flattering comment about writing you’ve sacrificed you own blood to perfect.

Have you ever noticed how many proverbs are centered around being positive?  Here is a chart of proverbs and what they mean to writers.

Proverb	Writing Application
Fake it till you make it.	Put on the face of an author and you will be much more likely to become one.  Blog, practice, join groups, associate with other writers.
A rolling stone gathers no moss.	If you keep working at your craft, you’ll strip away the unwanted verbiage and move ever forward in your writing journey.
Put on a happy face.	Focus on the positive things about your writing while you correct what needs work.  And smile, knowing you’re moving ever closer to your goal.
All good things come to those who wait.	Be patient while you are working at your craft.  You will be published if you keep pushing forward.
All the world loves a lover.	Yes, people like happy characters, but don’t forget that the flawed ones add interest and act as foils for the heroes and heroines.
Count your blessings.	When you feel down, actively list the good things that have accrued along your writing journey.  Try listing your own special skills.  I keep a file of wonderful things people have said about me over the years.  Good to read when you’re down.
Every cloud has a silver lining.	Even when you get a terrible critique, take comfort that you have someone who’ll tell you the truth.  This helps you to move forward.
Laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry and you cry alone.	Focus on the first part of this as the second is just too negative!  People need happiness almost as much as fresh air.  Find where you can get yours and where you can spread some around to others.  The rewards are huge.
Little strokes fell great oaks.	I love this one.  That three pages you write every day becomes a rough draft in about three or four months.  Take heart.

What do you do to keep yourself positive and professional?  Do you have a horror story about a time when someone wasn’t?  Consider leaving a comment in the space below.  And have a great day.  You certainly deserve it, as my sister would say.