St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. Born in England, he was captured and made to serve as a slave in Ireland. He did escape to his home country, but God sent him a vision and he returned to the Emerald Isle to convert its people to Christianity. The shamrock was revered by the Druids, thus St. Patrick made use of the symbol. He explained the Trinity, the belief of three divine entities- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit- encompassed by the one God. St. Patrick’s Day, considered a holy day by many, is celebrated around the world, with twice the number of people around the world claiming Irish heritage(myself being one) as lives in Ireland.
Today’s popular culture considers the shamrock a good luck charm. I don’t believe in luck…Okay, maybe a little. I do believe when it comes to a writer’s life, there is a sort of triad involved that has nothing to do with luck and a lot to do with our commitment to the perilous undertaking of our craft.
What does it take to make a commitment work? When we began to write, we entered a relationship.(Some of us entered into many relationships, but that’s another post). Like divorce rates and foreclosures, promising writers end up on the sidelines, become statistics. What will it take for you to keep your commitment?
One writer’s “trinity” may be different from another’s. I’m sharing mine with you. I think the following three are the essence and fire of true commitment:
Vision: I refer to The Dream. They vary-from success with indie publishing to signing an agent, or the published author’s hopes of hitting the NYT bestsellers list. Why is it vital to commitment? If you’ve received a rejection letter, or struggled with your story, you will understand this:
“Dissatisfaction and discouragement are not caused by the absence of things but the absence of Vision.”
~Anonymous
Passion: There is some debate about passion vs. commitment. I believe passion, if we understand our desires and purpose for what we write, is conducive to commitment. Let your passion, not only for writing, but for whatever makes you smile, infect your work. Each writer and artist has a free spirit inside.
“Passion is the genesis of genius.”
~Tony Robbins
Dedication: Set goals. I joined an online writer’s group that’s sole purpose is goal-setting and accountability. This helps tremendously. As a mother of three, one a two-year-old boy, I know life happens. I dedicated fifteen minutes a day to writing, no matter where I am or what I’m doing. I’ve written while dinner cooks or with the kiddo clambering in my lap. “Think big, start small” is a great motto.
“The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication.”
~Cecil B. DeMille
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all our readers and a toast with none other than a frosty mug of green beer. 
Images courtesy of Morguefiles.com
Courtney Koschel has been writing since she could hold a crayon. She has worked as a journalist, editor, technical writer, and technical editor. Young adult fiction is near and dear to her heart, which is why she writes YA and all of its glorious sub-genres.
Tonia Marie Houston is a mother, writer, poet, bookworm, and blogger. When sheís not chasing her three spider monkeys, she spends her time revising a young adult novel about life after death and second chances. Though she began to pursue her career later in life, she hopes to inspire and motivate other writers to put their best book forward.
This native Texan now lives with her Scottish hubby in North Ayrshire, Scotland, where she wanders the moors in search of William Wallace. She has been a guest blogger on Writer Unboxed and is currently working on the sequel to her YA supernatural novel, Touched by Darkness.
Jamie Raintree writes what she likes to call everyday fairytale love stories, featuring the little moments in life that are truly magical. She lives in Arizona with her husband and daughter and is currently editing her second novel.
Jani Grey is a South African ambivert, writer, reader, optimist, and bacon enthusiast. When her boss isnít looking she writes, revises, or edits YA Urban Fantasies in between work. Sheís sneaky like that. Sheís a NaNoWriMo addict and is currently working on two NaNo novels.
Rebecca Fields is a modern gypsy, roaming from place to place in search of ñ well, sheíll let you know when she finds it. Writing has become a way for her to share her adventures, both real and imagined. Along with her on her journey are her son and an assortment of rescued animals.
Courtney Koschel
March 16, 2012 at 8:51 pm
I love this
I’m sure it’s really challenging to get writing time in with a family and the daily routine that is life. I think it’s important that we all have that attitude, though. To make it as a writer requires sacrifice, well, most things in life require sacrifice. This is a really encouraging and inspiring post. Thank you for sharing!
Tonia Marie Houston
March 16, 2012 at 9:10 pm
You are right on the button, Courtney. It does take sacrifice. All good things do, I’ve learned. Thank you for your kind comments. I hope it does inspire and invigorate others. Sometimes, we all have to back up and evaluate what we want.
Jani
March 17, 2012 at 6:53 am
This is great post, Tonia. I recently decided to reevaluate how I do certain things and it’s something I don’t mind doing if it’ll improve how I do things. I love your trinity and the idea of ‘think big, start small’. I’m adopting it.
Tonia Marie Houston
March 17, 2012 at 9:03 am
Thank you, Jani! I have to retrain myself all the time to “think big, start small.” But each little step takes me closer to what I want. I’m glad you like my trinity. It’s something I’ve pondered- commitment and what place passion and vision have. Best to you on your reeavaluation, sounds like we’re in similar spots in our “writers journey”.
Jamie Raintree
March 17, 2012 at 10:27 pm
Great post! I love your trinity. I think mine would be similar, except I’d probably have truth in there somewhere–sticking to the truth of the story I’m trying to tell, no matter how long it might take me to make sure I’m saying right.
Can you believe I’ve never actually had green beer in my life? I’m not a big beer fan to begin with but, really, that’s just crazy. Not going to happen this year!
Tonia Marie Houston
March 18, 2012 at 11:49 am
Truth belongs up there, I agree.
As for green beer, it’s only a quarter a cup at one of our local pubs. I’m fond for it because it was one of our first dates seven years ago(he loves me because I’m a cheap date, lol). Ah, green beer and romance.
Jamie Raintree
March 19, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Lol! The two go hand-in-hand.
Heather Reid
March 18, 2012 at 4:49 am
I love this post! Vision, Passion, Dedication. You’ve summed it up beautifully! Thank you for sharing your trinity with us. I admire that you write 15 minutes a day no matter what’s going on in your life. You’re an amazing person, awesome mom, and super talented writer.
Jamie, I’m with you. I don’t like beer at all, much less green beer. Happy St, Patricks day to all of you.