The Best Damn Writer…

by Jeannie Ruesch

BY STACEY JOY NETZEL

“I am the best writer in the world and I DESERVE MY DREAM”

Okay, before any of you start saying, “Wow, she’s pretty darn arrogant.”, let me explain:  Sherrilyn Kenyon made me say it.

She made everyone say it at the WisRWA 25th anniversary conference in Green Bay, WI June 5-7, 2009.  And wow, what a wonderful, completely inspiring keynote speech she gave after our dinner.  (Not to mention she’s sweet as can be and is wonderful with her devoted fans.)  Her amazing story is a perfect example that you should never give up your dream, no matter how hard this business is, or how impossible it may seem at times.  You never know if that first sale phone call will come the very next day.  Or in her case, the 7th sale phone call.  She was an award winning, multi-published author of 6 books, and then she went 4 long years with many rejections and no contract.  But each time she was ready to give up, she found the courage to give it another try, and another, and another.

Currently, she has more than 16 million copies in print and not only is she a multi-#1 NY Times Bestseller, she’s a #1 International best seller.

Worth the perseverance, wouldn’t you say?

I am happy to have met her and very glad I was able to hear her inspiring words.

So, just remember the next time your day looks dismal and you feel like giving up, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.  Don’t ever let anyone steal your dream—not even yourself.  Call friends for some writerly support, read a good review you’ve gotten, or a part of your current WIP that you can feel in your gut is GOOD, and repeat after Sherrilyn Kenyon:

“I am the best writer in the world and I DESERVE MY DREAM!”

My question for you…what inspires you to keep on keeping on during your darkest moments?

Thanks for stopping by!

Stacey Joy Netzel

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13 comments

Silver James July 1, 2009 - 11:52 am

Revenge? That sounds terrible, but it’s a bit true. I’m too stubborn to give up and it gives me great satisfaction to be able to say, “I told you so!” to the naysayers in my life.

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Sandy July 1, 2009 - 4:06 pm

Stacey,

I’m so sorry to have missed your conference and the inspiring speech that Sherrilyn gave.

This business is tough, so whatever you can do to keep going is good. I’m also stubborn, too.

I’m the best damn writer in the world.

Thanks, Stacey, for a great blog.

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Donna Marie Rogers July 1, 2009 - 4:10 pm

Usually I’ll just call you. LOL

Sherrilyn was simply amazing, wasn’t she? If her story doesn’t inspire you, nothing will. 🙂

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Susan July 2, 2009 - 4:46 am

Great post! You snatched my attention with the first sentence. Thank you so much for sharing. I wonder if Ms. Kenyon is available to speak to my chapter.
Susan Shay
http://the-twisted-sisters.com
http://writingsluts.com

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Justen July 2, 2009 - 6:42 am

Hi Stacey,

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend the conference, but love that you wrote about Sherrilyn’s words! They are inspiring to say the least.

What inspires me? A good book, a sad day, happy tears and the need to get away into a different world!

Justen Hisle

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Mary Jo July 2, 2009 - 6:58 am

Stacey,

I remember that speech and that cheer every day. Black moments have been too numerous to count in my life. However, the more stressful my life around me is usually means I find more comfort in writing where I can for the most part control the world.

Yeah, I know I’m a bit crazy, but lovable, hopefully. 🙂

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Stacey Joy Netzel July 2, 2009 - 7:17 am

Revenge is a good enough reason for me, Silver. LOL Sandy, stubborness is a great quality to have in the writing business. Keep at it! Donna, yes, Sherrilyn was amazing. Yes, I use you all the time, too. Yesterday’s RWA Chapter meeting is also great inspiration to keep me going. Anytime I get to talk to like-minded people helps to refresh my creativity. That and setting goals like we did yesterday.

Have a great day!

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Lavada Dee July 2, 2009 - 10:58 am

ummm, what keeps me writing? Darn if I know. I’ve had a good many times when I think I could put the time to better use. Like a clean house, neat yard, etc. etc. but it’s like reading it makes me happy. A good writing day means I feel satisfied at the end of it.

And the thrill of getting the cover, and release day and….

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Nancy Sweetland July 2, 2009 - 3:04 pm

It’s people like you, Stacey – thanks for being so open and answering all my questions. I know I’m a good writer – I just wish more editors understood that!
Nancy

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Justen Hisle July 2, 2009 - 6:26 pm

Hi Stacey,

Great post. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend the conference and I was so disappointed to have missed Sherrilyn Kenyon. Sounds like she really delivered.

What inspires me? A good book, a sad day, happy tears and the need to escape to a far off world.

Justen

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Laurie J. Edwards July 2, 2009 - 8:47 pm

Thanks for sharing those words of wisdom, Stacey. Often it’s hard to keep going in the face of rejection. It’s always inspiring to hear about others who have beaten the odds and made successes of themselves!

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Laura Iding July 3, 2009 - 7:03 am

Stacey, I thought the conference was wonderful too and yes, everyone one of us does deserve our dream. When I get bogged down by stuff, you know the stupid work problems or the family trials (anyone who knows my 19 year old son knows exactly what I mean) it’s hard to keep focusing on writing. Especially when my dream is to write suspense but I’m writing medical romance instead.

One trick for me is to imagine my life without writing. What if I never touched my computer keyboard again? What would I be missing out on? My writer friends are some of my best buds. Organizations like WisRWA and RWA open the doors for lots of networking. What if I chucked it all away?

Every time, I’d realize I’d still be writing. Only not as many people (maybe none) would be reading my stories. So that helps me to put things in perspective.

Not always easy, but it works for me.

🙂

Great post Stacey!

Laura

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Stacey Joy Netzel July 7, 2009 - 3:59 pm

I’m back after a great holiday weekend–sorry for the delay in my replies.

Susan, if you can get her, she’s worth it! She mingled with all of us during our Friday night dessert social, and then she even invited some fans who drove up from Chicago for the Sat. dinner to sit with her. They weren’t writers, just fans who saw she was going to be in the area and wanted to come to the signing. I only wish I could’ve talked to her more than the little bit I got to.

Justen, I understand about needing to get away into a different world. 🙂

Mary Jo, you’re definitely loveable–never crazy! That’d make all us writers crazy. Nope, not going to accept that.

Lavada, you’re right about getting those covers, and a release day is especially sweet, too. Here’s to many more for all of us!

Nancy, you’re sweet, just like your name says. I’m looking forward to your upcoming TWRP release!

It’s easy to share when it’s that good, Laurie. If Sherrilyn ever does, or has done, a keynote at National and you can get ahold of the tape–it’s worth a listen, or ten.

Laura, as long as it works. I spent the last 6 months on a self imposed break from writing and getting back into it has been so cool! I know what it’d be like to give it up and I don’t like it at all! I hope you sell a suspense very soon, despite the fact that your medicals are great!

Thanks to all of you who stopped by and commented!! Have a great week.

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