Illigitimi non Carborundum

The rough translation of this Latin piece of wisdom is – don’t let the bastards grind you down. (I saw this most recently on a sign over the fireplace at the Oregon Writers Colonyhouse, Rockaway Beach, Oregon.) This is good advice for life in general, but excellent advice for writers. Writing is a lonely, discouraging job at times. It may even seem that the world is conspiring against us to get the book finished! One has to guard a solid core of oneself. That means one has to believe in oneself and keep on going. One has to develop an inner strength, honed by rejections, and strengthened by the support of other writers. It helps a lot to have a group of writers for support. If you don’t have a writer group, start one! Writing is not for the faint of heart. It is that steel hardened by fire thing.