BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Self Development giving up

Have you ever given up on something because it's just not going to happen? I've been trying to get a publisher for years - decades - and nada. Rejections, rejections, rejections.

How do you know when you should just give up for your own good? Doesn't the point come where you just need to let it go -- whether it's a book, adult child, abusive partner, bad job, old house.........when do you call it quits?

Laurie, some of the things you mention are good to give up. because they cause hurt.But don't give up on your book, Ask your self what you can do to improve it, good luck girl

Yes, it is smart thing to do, if you really have to. It takes courage to give up. It takes courage to see.

It is not easy, especiallly when you have formed ties.
Right now, I am experiencing difficulty giving up some mlm companies I joined out of curiosity and thinking it was another income opportunty. Have made some pretty good friends too. After having been in it, deep down inside, I know I cannot fully endorse the products, and am thinking of quitting the company.

But I'm finding it hard. I feel I'll be letting friends down. After all, they've encouraged and helped me..
Guess I'll just have to take the plunge and cut the cord if I feel I have to. It takes courage. It also takes vision to see clearly. What are we doing things for? For ourselves, our friends? our family? Someone else?
Are we living a lie?

Laurie, as to your publisning- I think you should GO for it! Years of rejection doesn't mean a thing compared to one major breakthrough that can mean change of your entire life. Don't give up! Ever! ( unless you feel it is not what you want)

All the best!
May

Laurie, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance received 60 rejections before getting published and selling millions of copies and being translated into many languages. Some other bestsellers have likewise collected many, many rejections before being a success. Even J.K. Rowling was rejected when she first sent out Harry Potter, and she is now the wealthiest woman in the U.K.

I don't think you should give up. I think you should do your best to get feedback from literate people, and to listen carefully to the comments and do your best to improve your manuscript and learn what kinds of "niches" publishers are looking for regarding length, etc. And then i think you should send it out again. Learn everything you can about writing and publishing.

And if all else fails, self publish and market it wisely yourself. If you can generate enough sales, well many bestsellers started out self published before getting picked up by a large publisher.

DON'T GIVE UP!

Laurie,

Have you ever thought about making it an e-book? That's what I am thinking about doing when I am finished with mine.

Check out cafepress.com or lulu.com

Dear Laurie,

have you ever heard of Lulu.com? I have just published my book there. On Wednesday I received the printed copy of my book. It was touching to hold it in my hands :-)

In Germany I have a publisher but my heart's desire was to also write for English speaking people. Well, here we go. (Some said my English is far too lousy to publish anything... that hurt for a moment but I decided to go on :-) there were others who liked my ideas and encouraged me to keep the fire burning.)

When I quit I only quit an actual, active effort. I keep the burning desire in my heart. It can take 20 years and it is on fire again, coming true...

This morning I read something wonderful in a magazine, you may like it, too. Margarethe von Trota, a famous German movie director wrote a screen play in 1994. Nobody wanted to co-finance it. It took 10 (!) years and then a producer read the book, loved it and supported Margarethe to make the movie. It was very popular in Germany...

Best and may all your writing dreams come true
Sandra

This is tricky. If you give up, you may feel you should have persisted and if you persist, you feel you are wasting time. Consider every factor with logical mind.

Laurie, are you a member of a writers group? You probably need some expert advice on your book, maybe someone to edit it and give you an opinion. I wouldn't give up until someone tells you exactly how you could possibly improve it.

ebooks are great but they take an awful lot of marketing! I have a friend who wrote a terrific ebook on budget travel to Hawaii and she limps along, selling one or two copies a month, if that. She's tried many avenues to market it too. If anyone has advice on ebook marketing, I could pass it along to her.

I think if you really love writing, you keep trying! There is a lot of good advice here.

Good Luck

Well, here's my two cents:

Anything that is hurting you or not bringing some sort of joy to your life, you give up, get rid of, walk away from. Abusive spouse, toxic friends, clutter, job you dread going to, business you have no enthusiasm for, bad habits, and so on.

If something brings you joy and adds to your life, that you believe in, you don't give up on it. Colonel Sanders was rejected 1,000 times before someone took a chance on his chicken recipe. Richard Bach was rejected numerous times when he tried to get Jonathan Livingston Seagull published. And, read Abraham Lincoln's bio--he lost or failed at just about everything and still became on of our most beloved and admired Presidents.

Sometimes, you do have to try new tactics. Self-publishing is one idea. If you know your book is good, publish it and promote it. Do readings, send out review copies, send out press releases, build it a website, collect testimonials and endorsements and cover blurbs, sell it on Amazon.com. (Yes, you can--just need an ISBN number).

Joan, as to your friend's ebook, I could give her tons of ideas. Have her contact me.

For starters, have her go to meetup.com and find travel groups in her area. Offer to speak at their meetings. Print a flyer where they can buy the ebook.

Also, have her visit travel-related forums and put the ebook sales page link in her signature line. She should spend an hour a day marketing her ebook. She can also sell her ebooks on Amazon.com.

Good luck to all! And, Laurie, I forgot who said it, but someone said "Most people give up just a little too soon." or words to that effect.