How I Discovered The Beauty Of Failure
As many of us know to our cost, life doesn’t always turn out the way you planned. The reality is that there will always be disruptions – both good and bad – which alter the course of your life. You have failures which are unexpected – and they impact who you are.
You can make good, detailed plans – and there is a place for them. They provide structure and focus.
But life often gets in the way.
Which brings me to my book, ‘Mosaic Of Grace’. Because writing, as I’ve often said, is like life. And what’s happened with this book has been a prime example of how our lives can be shaped by disruption – and how failure can be beautiful.
I wrote the first draft of what will be my first, full length book, nearly two years ago. At the time I had no clue about anything to do with creating or publishing a book. I figured I could publish it within a few months or year.
In hindsight, I was unbelievably naive.
The book began to gain momentum last year when I got beta-readers, endorsements, a proof-reader and a great editor. I was confident the book would be released this year. Until even a few weeks ago, this was the case.
The message of the book is one which I care about deeply. It’s a subject close to my heart, and something I desperately want people to hear.
But during the editing process, as I’ve re-read parts of the book, I’ve realised to get this message out well, I need to do a lot more work than I anticipated. This is my first full length book, and the message is really important. I have a responsibility to make this book the best it can possibly be.
And right now, it’s not.
No book is ever truly ‘finished’. There will always be improvements you can make, parts you wish you’d written, sections you’d like to add. But the released version still has to be something you are proud of, which you know is the best work you can produce at the time, and conveys the message you want to share in the best possible way.
Right now the book is good. With a few edits we could probably release it. But if I released this book right now, it wouldn’t be authentic. Because it wouldn’t be me as I am now. It would be me from 2 or 3 years ago. And I’ve grown and matured as both a person and a writer since then, so the book needs to reflect that. If I release it as is, I won’t have done myself or the message justice.
Michael Jordan & The Lessons Of Failure
I’ve always been wary of promising too much and not delivering. Through this process I’d tried to be honest about the fact I had a book, what it was about and the approximate time it was due, but with no more specifics. But again, this was something I’d done, in hindsight, with great naivety.
I was wrong to promise ‘Mosaic Of Grace’ will be released in 2015. In all likelihood, it won’t be. But I’m working hard on it, to make the book it deserves to be, the best I can produce at this point in my journey, and a book which will benefit all who read it. A book I can be proud of.
So as of now, I won’t be talking about the book, and it’s release date, until I know the book is ready, and we’re ready to begin the countdown to release. I’ve taken down the book page from my site. When I have an actual release date, then we’ll start talking about it again.
I made a mistake. In one sense, I’ve failed. But it’s been a great learning experience. A beautiful failure, if you like. I know more about the process of writing, editing and publishing a book. I’ve experienced some pitfalls and have the scars to prove it. I have invaluable experience I can learn from, and pass on to others.
I’m better because of my failure.
Because it’s often in our mistakes and failures, that we learn the most. (tweet that)
So, I’ll keep working on this book with my editor. And I’ll begin to plan the next book. Knowing that second time around, I’ll have all this experience which will make that book, and the publishing process, a lot better, and smoother.
Though even then, there’ll be lessons to learn.
Because ultimately, we never stop learning do we?
Question for Reflection:
When was the last time you had a real failure – and what did you learn from it?
Let me know in the comments below!
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I don’t know if I would consider this a failure or not. Writing and maturing and growing is a process. You simply weren’t ready. That said, the most successful businessman failed miserably at least 3-4 times before they really found their groove. Glad to see it’s all coming together.
Thanks Elyse, appreciate it. Yep, success often comes after a string of failures – and I simply wasn’t ready. Great wisdom, thanks.
Taking the easy road of publishing even though it doesn’t reflect the new you, lazy. Giving up and deciding it is too much work, failure. You are brave, persistent, teachable. I hope you see great fruit from your diligent honest effort.
Thanks so much for this kind comment Jayna. Means so much.
I agree with Elyse. I’m not sure I would say you failed. It takes a lot of courage to recognize your work isn’t ready. There’s been many times when I have thought my writing was ready and I entered a contest or went to a conference and I soon realized, it wasn’t at all ready. Keep learning and growing.
I also feel that no matter when we publish at some point we will look back on our previous works and think we could have done better. That’s the nature of growth. So don’t hold onto it out of fear.
When I personally fail, I try to learn from it. Forgive myself. Then move on.
That’s great wisdom Nicole – learn, forgive, and move on. That’s what I’m trying to do now. Thanks for your encouragement and support.
On my first day on the job as an editor (many, many years ago), I asked my boss, “Is the goal the perfect book.” His answer: “There’s never a perfect book.” One of the things every artist has to learn is when to stop, when to put your work out there. If you are still working on your book because that will not only make it better to you, but better to your audience, you have not failed. You are still working on it, and that’s something admirable.
Thanks Scott, appreciate it – and totally agree, there never is a perfect book!
Sometimes it is called procrastination and one can find fault to keep putting it off. I have spent over 20 yrs on an epic novel because I wasn’t sure exactly how I wanted to tell the tale. It is a four book series. I’ve mucked with it too long. James, you are growing and as such, your thoughts are changing. In another 2 yrs, you won’t be the man you are right now and your thoughts will be decidedly different than they are now. At some point, as my editor told me, you have to get off the pot and finish with the paperwork. It may not be perfect – as Scott stated – nothing is. Clean it up, release it and move on to the next project. Good luck.
Thanks as ever for your wisdom Bob – don’t worry, the book will be released, and I know a book is never really ‘finished’. But thanks for challenging me and for this great comment, and the best wishes.
I found that working with a good editor is better than taking a college course in writing–I did both. When I tried getting an agent for my first mystery, I couldn’t understand why the agents wouldn’t take the book. One kindly gave me the name of a good editor and when she was done bleeding red ink all over my precious manuscript, I saw in black and red what was wrong with that book. I’m so grateful for the experience! Get the book right and you’ll be proud to release it!
Diane, I have found the same thing with my editor, such a great editor and teaching me so much. Thanks for the comment and encouragement.
This is a very good piece, James. I appreciate your courage, honesty, and humility. It blesses me today as I contemplate my own places of failure in the process. Thank you for providing some good road signs for the journey!
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement and support Lancia, really pleased the post blessed you, and hope it helps you move further on your journey. Thanks again.
It takes courage to wait, James, if you truly are convicted to do deeper work on a manuscript. There always is the pressure to “ship” whether or not the depth of the material is fully developed or not. Frankly, continuing to work on a piece because the material is too important to short change it takes much more courage and self-control than rushing to ship prematurely. Only you can know in your heart whether your motives are fear and procrastination based, or lead by a deeper truth asking to be told in a better way. I applaud you for the soul-searching you have already done and the beautiful permission you have demonstrated for us.
Wow, thank you so much for this comment Lancia, this is so encouraging for me. I definitely wanted to get the book out sooner, it’s not been easy delaying it…but it needs to be done. Thanks for your encouragement.
Be encouraged, James–it will be in God’s time, and the lessons learned will be valuable.
Wow, thank you so much Nancy Kay, that comment really encourages me. Appreciate it.
All is not lost. You’ve been very productive. There are no failures here. And I can relate to you. My book was written, edit, beta-read, re-edited, etc. over 9 years… YUP. NINE. And all that time I kept my book page up with the promise of “coming soon.” HAHA! So, don’t feel bad at all! 🙂 We all learn from our missed deadlines… mostly not to make commitments until we are sure we can keep them!
Thanks Lisa Jey, so encouraging, positive and funny as ever, you’re such an encouragement, thanks so much.
Nothing wrong with taking your time. A rushed book can make or break you! Any author knows that urge to ‘get it out there’, but sometimes it is best to wait and then you realise you released at the right time.
Spot on Luke, couldn’t agree more, and learning that lesson a lot recently. Writing books isn’t about the publishing, the event. It’s about the journey, the work, the writing, the process of creating of it.
no failures….just learning opportunities. So glad to hear you aren’t giving up.
Totally agree Tara – and thanks for the encouragement.
I wrote a long post and lost it. Too tired to do it again.
No worries Katina – personal message me on Facebook when you remember it.
No book is ever truly ‘finished’. There will always be improvements you can make, parts you wish you’d written, sections you’d like to add. Amen!
Appreciate your honesty James and be encouraged – this is not failure just a poor sense of timing. We all want to rush into things just relax and let God take control of the timing.
The article Is quite appreciable. Your experience in failure defined your success.
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