I recently heard the same thing from a friend, btw. It’s a hard business sometimes and it beats the life out of you. I always hope they’ll come back, but you never know what will happen. Maybe they’ll be happier doing something else. *shrug*

I DID quit. For eight long years. After one too many rejections, one too many bad contest scores, I decided I did not have what it takes to make it. I renewed my membership in RWA every year, because I just couldn’t sever that last tie, but I wasn’t trying to get published.

I moved to Europe, went back to school, got a Master’s degree, traveled, wrote whatever I wanted to write, didn’t send a thing out, didn’t enter a single contest, and didn’t try to get an agent.

And then one day, when I was stuck in traffic on Ramstein Air Base in Germany, an idea hit. An idea I wanted to write. It was a slow, agonizing process, but I started trying to write a romance again. Every day, that little bud of hope blossomed a bit more.

I didn’t sell that book, or the next one, but I rediscovered the fun. I moved to Hawaii, joined the local chapter, and got involved again. I didn’t sell, but I knew I was back and wasn’t quitting again.

It took nearly five more years, but I finally got the call. So I’m a firm believer in quitting if it suits you, but also in being open to the idea what you really need is a break. I took an 8 year break — longer than I would have liked, but I can’t complain about the result.

Now, I’m happy again. I’m writing. Sure it still hurts and that will never go away, but life goes on. We have to find that peace within to keep moving forward. Thanks for the post Rocki!