Sometimes, in the flurry of life, and especially in the business of books (yes, it is mostly a business, I’m afraid), the light, the vision, the creative spirit can be dimmed. Certainly, even extinguished for those bleak periods of time most commonly called “writer’s block”.
For me – and a lot of folks I know – this writing life, full of rejections, and almosts, can be dimming. Trust me, I know of many other businesses where folks are having the light squeezed out of them, too. So what to do? Giving up is not a choice, certainly not when your livelihood and your dreams are dependent upon success.

It’s time to shine your own light, whatever that means for you. Grab a cup of coffee with a friend who is one step ahead of you and find inspiration. Pick up the telephone and ask for help and advice. (I did this yesterday, and boy did it feel good! My light, once dimming, is back to almost full strength.) Whatever you do, don’t give up. If you have something to say, a product to create, a world to change, then you owe it to yourself to re-energize. Read. Exercise. Laugh.

Do whatever it takes to start glowing again, and whatever you do, don’t give up.

“Let me listen to me and not to them.” ~ Gertrude Stein