Persevere. The year of Odysseus not Sisyphus.
My writing style is simple.
So coming up with one word for 2016 should be a can of corn.
But it’s not been. No. That’s not right. I don’t like the word that seems so obvious.
Persevere.
As in to persevere writing a novel that will sell 10 copies.
A killjoy.
Who wants that? But as I’ve noodled it the first few days of January, that is the word that remains.
I’m at mid-life and in the middle of so many things. In-the-middle is a place where momentum dies.
In the third quarter of a football game. In-the-middle of a novel that started so rip roaring. In-the-middle of taking down Christmas decorations. In-the-middle of sex. Just wanted to see if you were paying attention.
In-the-middle, we need to persevere.
What a downer. Persevere evokes images of Pilgrims, monks toiling over documents in damp and dark monasteries. Parents of infants. Parents of toddlers. Parents of teenagers. Paying off debt. Training for marathons.
But that’s what I want to do for 2016.
I’m a dreamer. A contemplative. I can take my thoughts out to play in-the-middle of the day and 45 minutes have passed. Sure I’ve folded laundry, made a bed or two but if I want things done well, I’ve got to buckle down and focus. Whether it’s cleaning up my garden, writing my daily word count or straightening the house in half the time. Persevere with my children. Helping them with school work.
I tried to think of more positive sounding words.
Alas, I found that every word that didn’t conjure up thoughts of Captain Ahab, Odysseus or the Bill Murray character in Groundhog’s Day was a phrase with more than one word.
Keep going. Press on. Go for it. Stay the course. Stick with it. Go for broke.
There were a few single words synonyms suggested by Thesaurus.com, such as:
Endure: Terrible. Worse than persevere. Makes me think of 365 days living as a vampire or worse . . . a zombie. I like to eat to way much to be a zombie for 365 days. And I’m not changing my diet.
Persist: Not bad. But at least persevere evokes feeling of pain. Persist is just existing — heart beating, lungs breathing — and your body functioning in a directed effort. MEH.
Continue, Remain, Maintain: Blah, blah and double blah.
No.
Persevere is there because that’s the word that helps me get out of bed at 4:45 to have my quiet time and hopefully write.
Persevere pops into my head when I’ve researched and written a bit for two hours but only have 255 words. A commitment to persevere helps keep my rear in the chair and keeps me writing.
Yes. Even when I look up definitions, Persevere aligns with my goals for the year.
- To try to do or continue doing something in a determined way, despite difficulties.
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To persist in or remain constant to a purpose, idea, or task in the face of obstacles or discouragement.
The Oxford Dictionary had a different spin: Continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success.
What’s up with the little or no prospect of success? That’s Sisyphus not Odysseus. Sisyphus, of Greek Mythology Bed Time Stories fame, was made to roll a boulder up a steep hill only to have the rock tumble back down to the bottom — he did this forever. No. I’m not going to be cranking out 500 or more words a day only to face a blank page again the next morning for all eternity.
Odysseus did finally get home. Okay. It took a while. Years. And he had to battle Trojans, shipwrecks and one-eyed giants. I’m cool with that.
I will persevere in my daily encounters with Cyclops and shipwrecks.
I will laugh lots. And have moments of gratitude and great joy.
I will persevere and have the first draft of my novel done by April first. I will persevere and have the edits done. I will persevere with the agenting process. And persevere with starting my next book when nothing is happening to the first.
No way around it.
Persevere in 2016.
Woot.
Any thoughts on your word for 2016? Anymore Persevere-heads out there?
Linking up with the Finish the Sentence Friday game found over at the wondrous Finding Ninee.
Persevere is a great word, Jamie! Endure totally sounds like zombies. Also I get you on being in the middle of so much – halfway finished with Christmas decoration put-away, halfway to a load of donations, halfway in sex LOL kidding…
Here’s to writing and persevering this year. Thanks much for linking up!
I’m just starting this novel process. I’ve heard so many people say they can’t bear to look at theirs another time by the time they complete final edits. Such a long road but I’m at peace knowing it’s what I want to do regardless of the outcome. And happy 2016 to you as well!
I love the word persevere and admit that this first week of the year has truly tested me with myself being sick and rundown and now my kids at the end of the week, too. But just reading this gave me a bit more hope and some of my fight to do just that and persevere, too. Thanks for that and Happy 2016 now, too!
Writing this has helped me look at it much more positively. Sometimes in life you just have to grind it out.
Jamie! I love the word, and I wrote an eerily similar post for this week’s prompt. Like, I Even used “blah, blah, blah!” Happy New Year!
Thanks Allie. Heading your way to find out what in your world seemed “blah, blah, blah!”
Persevere is definitely a great word. I definitely feel like I need to do a lot of that to keep on my current path – many days I do indeed feel like poor Sisyphus. I always liked the tale but now I totally get it.
My word for last year was Resolve. Like Persevere, it’s not exciting and really kind of dull, but it was necessary. And it really did help me.
Thanks Jen. Resolve is a great word. A no nonsense, taking care of business word. Persevere ringing in my head is the same kind of touchstone.
Thank goodness those days and weeks that seem stagnant – usually progress is being made.
Persevere is a good word — it means that you’ll be trying very hard, and going for what is valuable to you. It’s clear that finding time to write is important, and so you’ll be working hard to find the time. Here’s hoping that you’ll persevere — and create a wonderful novel in the process!!
I love this line – And persevere with starting my next book when nothing is happening to the first. Way to persevere! I’m getting so encouraged just by reading everyone’s word for the year.
Glad you got the commenting working!
I am a really REALLY great “starter” – and to “finish” is not my strength. So I understand how big this word is. Also – I understand that when we want the “fluffy” word, but the solid, granite, boring word keeps us in place – well, we have to listen, eh? So – Toast to it: “Here’s to persevere!” I hope it strengthens you and moves you forward to finish and start again. Yea 2016!
Yes. The Comments are working:) That’s a positive note to start 2016 blogging.
Thanks Mardra!
I agree Anna. Like training for a long race.
I love your word! It speaks to my personality so much more than my word does …
I do understand what you mean though. Persevering in the middle of something is so much tougher than when you start out or, of course, when you see the finish line in sight. And if you think about it, most of our life is spent in the middle years, the years of persevering on and on and on without seeing much progress.
I had forgotten who Sisyphus was. If our priorities are right, I don’t think it is possible to end up like him! Best of wishes on your novel – I will definitely read it when it comes out.
Thanks Jerralea. I didn’t remember Sisyphus by name but I remembered his story. Sounds pretty awful.
Love persevere! I’m so happy to have connected with you through FTSF. You seem like someone who will stick to her perseverance. I can’t wait to read more about all that you accomplish by persevering. You’ve inspired me to persevere and not just muddle through, as I so often feel. : ) Happy New Year!
[…] I have been persevering on my novel. Last week, I averaged 323 words a day. Counting 6 days as a workweek. […]