When Writers Want to Quit: Don’t Punt on First Down

From Edie: From Larry Leech: When writers want to quit, perseverance matters. Discover how to push through discouragement, find clarity, and keep writing until you reach “The End.”

When Writers Want to Quit: Don’t Punt on First Down

by Larry J. Leech, II @LarryJLeechII

Steve Martin, that wild and crazy guy, back in the 1970s uttered some famous words on an album (yeah, those things made out of vinyl) that I have never forgotten: “Punt on first down.”

Those who understand football know that is just plain old crazy talk. No team in its right mind would punt on first down. That’s just giving up without trying. Quitting without any effort.

Yeah.

Kinda like we feel sometimes while working on a project. Grab a towel and throw it in. Curl into a ball and cry until eternity. Whatever works for you.

But if we succumb to urge to quit every time, we’d never finish a product. And we wouldn’t have any books or articles to read.

If that happened, I guess we’d all have to binge-watch shows on our favorite streaming platform. And then, we’d all … let’s not go fall into that abyss. 

Let’s assume that we can, and do, overcome the desire to “punt on first down,” “throw in the towel,” or cry until the cows come home. 

Whenever I get stuck, I ask a few questions: Whose will? Mine? Sometimes I can be an impatient person. Other times, I can drag my feet until I’m ready to devote all my energy into a project. I also ask if it the Lord’s will. If I discern an affirmative, I question whether the enemy is distracting me or if I am pushing my will into the Lord’s.

Either way, I find myself seeking clarity on how to move forward. I’ve come to realize that life’s greatest opportunities and accomplishments don’t always come wrapped in a big box with a giant bow on top. 

Would be nice, wouldn’t it?

Sometimes we must push through the mud and muck of life to wrap up a project or finish an article or to say anything worthwhile in a blog. Yeah, punting on first down is certainly much easier. But finding the inner strength, the drive, the commitment to finish is worth it. Few accomplishments feel as good as writing…

The End.

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When Writers Want to Quit: Don’t Punt on First Down from @LarryJLeechII on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Usually with a hot beverage nearby, Larry J. Leech II spends his days working with words—as a writing coach of award-winning authors, as well as Acquisitions Editor and Master Book Coach for Illumify Media. More than forty years ago, Larry started his career as a sportswriter in southwestern Pennsylvania where he covered prep sports, college sports, and the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers. In 2004, after 2,300 published articles, Larry shifted to book publishing. Since that time, he has ghostwritten thirty books, edited more than 450 manuscripts, and coached hundreds of authors through the writing and publication process. For nearly two decades Larry has taught at numerous general market and inspirational conferences nationwide. When he has a minute, Larry likes to hang out on Facebook and Instagram. You can also find out more about him on his website: larryleech.com.