Little Successes Can Add Up Big: A Look at Process

Process Vs. Product

I’ve been thinking a lot about process lately–particularly in how it relates to “success.” Writing is typically taught as a process: brainstorm, draft, edit, revise, submit. But even while emphasis is put on the process, the real emphasis is still generally on the final product.

And that can, at times, be problematic. Read more about my thoughts on process in my Substack post “Celebrating Success: Succeeding (at Writing) on Your Own Terms.” (And if you haven’t already, subscribe to my Substack to get my posts delivered right to your inbox–it’s free!)

As an editor, I need to toe the line between process and product. Clients come to me because they’re thinking about the end result–which, of course, I understand. But I also have to be careful not to infringe on their autonomy or on their process (unless, of course, they want me to).

It’s the Little Things

In my own writing journey, I’m learning how important the “little” successes are. It’s these seemingly small accomplishments that really make up what writing is. If the goal is only publication, the process may become long and arduous, even deflating. Publication can take years. So why not focus on the little (equally important) things that move us in that direction?

Among my own creative projects, I’m currently working on a chapbook of microfiction. My goal is to have at least 20 to 25 stories for the collection. Depending on how I define a “finished” story, I currently have about 10 ready, with a goal of August to have a complete manuscript draft and to recruit a couple of beta readers before I begin manuscript submission. Each time I complete a story, I’m nearer to my goal; thus, each story is a success to be celebrated.

I currently have 25 stories out for submission. Twenty-five! This is a record for me. (About half of these stories are for another collection that I’m currently working on, a longer-term project, and not for my proposed chapbook.) Regardless of whether these stories get accepted at or rejected from the journals I’ve sent them to is immaterial; that I’ve sent them out is a success to be celebrated–because submitting work is time-consuming, demanding, and can be nerve-wracking.

Celebrate!

Your goals, of course, will likely be very different from mine, but it’s still important to remember to celebrate those seemingly little successes, whether it be finishing the first draft of a story/chapter, writing the last chapter of a novel, or deciding you’re reading to contact an editor! Celebrate! Give yourself a pat on the back!

I’m also celebrating the opportunity I recently had to be interviewed about my editing work for Kim’s Musings: Authors Supporting Authors; you can read that interview here.