To me the question is always this: if a ray of light came out of the sky and said, “Your next book will never be published,” would you still write it? If the answer is yes, the book is worth writing. — Markus Zusak
We’d all like a sign from the gods to ensure us that all our effort will have been worth it in the end. Sadly, Apollo isn’t laying down the prophesies lately like in the days of old, so ultimately we have to rely on our own determination and decision-making skills. Have you been second-guessing your latest WIP? Why? Are the opinions of others swaying you one way or another? Do YOU believe in the story you’re currently writing?
What about that big ugly question up there? If you knew that your current poetry collection, the thriller you’ve got a notebook full of research notes on, or the definitive reference of field hockey greats that you’ve been wanting to write for decades wouldn’t get picked up, wouldn’t hit the NYT best seller lists, wouldn’t snag you a three book deal, would you still put forth the effort? Is the book important enough, to you, to write it anyway? Are you itching to write it despite what might, or might not, happen in the end?
What about your current or planned creative venture makes your pulse speed up?
How and when will you know if it was worth the effort?
What is does your character believe in despite the odds? What makes them believe in it? How will they respond if it doesn’t go well?