What's the difference between a published and unpublished author?
pursuing the dreams of your heart
Hello friends!
In his book Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants to Be, Steven Pressfield includes one entire chapter about Jack Carr. Carr was a former Navy Seal turned bestselling thriller writer. His first book, The Terminal List, is now an Amazon Prime series starring Chris Pratt.
Pressfield uses Carr to talk about “breadth of commitment”:
Jack doesn’t just write the books. He has a podcast, he has a blog, and he has a store. You can buy a mug, a hat, a crossed-tomahawks wallet, a T-shirt. When a new novel appears, Jack is on the road, virtually if not physically. He does interviews, he runs contests, he gives away samples of the new book, and he creates VIP packs complete with souvenirs and cool little premiums.
This, according to Pressfield, is what it looks like to throw your whole self into the dreams and desires of your heart. To go for it with all you got.
After reading Pressfield’s endorsement, I picked up The Terminal List and found some great wisdom buried in the book’s acknowledgments. While Carr was writing his first novel, he met bestselling thriller writer Brad Thor. Thor’s wisdom:
“the only difference between a published and unpublished author is that the published author doesn’t quit.”
Commitment.
Perseverance.
The grit to keep going despite the frustrations and obstacles in the path.
You may not aspire to become a bestselling author. But within your heart are dreams that you long to see come to fruition. Within your heart is a vision for the type of life you desire to live. The type of person you long to be.
Don’t quit on that vision. Keep pursuing it.
Throw your whole self into the dreams of your heart.
You owe it to yourself.
Catch up on the latest Proverbs sermons
The Path to Peace: how to avoid quarrels and how to quarrel in a healthy way when you find yourself in one
Taking Hold of the Tree of Life: how ancient Proverbs wisdom leads us into a vibrant life by being honest with our emotions, creating space for ourselves, and walking our own path instead of comparing who we are to others
Until next time!
Dave