1. Building an audience is hard. Accepting criticism is hard. Finding “writer buddies” is hard. But not impossible.

2. Succeeding as a writer is part skill, part resilience, part networking, and all 100% dedication. It takes all your focus, energy, and attention. But it’s worth it.

3. You can turn your somedays into deadlines.

4. But it’s OK if your deadlines are a sizable distance away.

5. Other people’s opinions (or lack thereof) don’t define the worth of your dreams. Only you can do that.

6. You are not in this alone, even when it feels like it. And it will feel like it often.

7. Everything you’re feeling right now, dozens of writers have felt it, too. Your feelings matter. But if others can work through them and keep going, you can, too.

8. You don’t have to completely give up writing when you encounter resistance. Changing your dream to fit your needs and desires isn’t failing. It’s called growth for a reason.

9. And growth takes time. What you want to happen isn’t going to happen as quickly as you want it to. This is part of the learning process. No one likes to be told to have patience, but it’s not a choice.

10. Even “small” writers can tell big stories. Anyone can make a difference, if they’re brave enough to try.

Meg is the creator of Novelty Revisions, dedicated to helping writers put their ideas into words. She is an editor and writer, and a 12-time NaNoWriMo winner. Follow Meg on Twitter for tweets about writing, food, and Star Wars.

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