Everyone has the answer … at least their answer … to the question: How does an author become successful? In this season of overwhelming places to be at and things to do, here’s my answer in a few seconds in FOUR words:
Perspiration. Persistence. Perseverance.
I have just finished watching Netflix’s The Crown (highly recommended). It reminded me of Winston Churchill’s remarks made at the school he attended years prior to “his success” … a school he came close to flunking out of. Many have quoted it as the total length of his speech … all 29 words … it is not. In fact, it was buried in a paragraph of a two-page presentation.
Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense.
The next two sentences are equally important, all 14 words:
Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
The enemy can be naysayers, non-believers of your work, those who are envious, and gulp, sometimes family and friends. Jeeze.
So, I’m not back at my Alma Mater … but I can spin Sir Winston’s words a bit:
Never give in. Never give in. Not to others who don’t support or believe in your work. Not to yourself because you are tired and just want to move on. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty that a critic or envious author, or even yourself rattles in your ear or head —never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. If you made an error in your writing, don’t blame— just fix it. And let others know you did.
Never yield to force because it’s politically correct or trending and inconsistent with your theme, writing, and ethics. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy—enemies that can become in all forms, sizes, genders, and voice.
The gift you give to others and to yourself: be true to you … my #1 commandment of building confidence as an author.
So, I’ll end with:
Believe in yourself and your work.
Build your inner confidence.
Forge ahead.
Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing 
about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 35 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord IndieFab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences. Book #35 was published this fall grabbing #1 in Hot New Releases on Amazon for several weeks: The How to Avoid 101 Book Publishing Blunders, Bloopers & Boo-Boos. Get your copy now.
Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged, a three-day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2017, the dates are June 22-24th. Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for “AuthorU – Your Guide to Book Publishing” on the Toginet Network at bit.ly/PublishingShow .
Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.
Author U is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Monthly education programs delivered face-to-face and online, The Author Resource ezine, BookCamps and the annual Author U Extravaganza are tools designed for authors pre, during and post publishing of their books. Join AuthorU.org today.
If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching … call in to Judith’s Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 … have your questions ready–there’s a full hour to ask and listen