Hallo, Friends and Writers:
I found a video  that I must pass on to you. It is the commencement address by Admiral Mcraven, delivered at the University of Texas a few days ago.
Mcraven was trained as a Navy seal and much of his address has to do with his training as a seal near San Diego,years ago.
What does Navy Seal training has to do with writing? Plenty. No we do not have to swim, crawl through mud, go on endless marches, suffer abuse and are constantly berated by the professional trainer.
I am going to tell you what this Navy seal training has to do with writing, in one word, perseverance.
Mcraven's class started with 150 men, just 42 made it to graduation.
In the middle of the parade ground was bell with a rope. Anytime a trainee decided he had enough of the cold, the sleepless marches, the abuse, the sheer fatigue, he could ring that bell and his training was over, Just like that, go back to your unit.
I compare this to writing, how many writers start and think they have written a decent article or book, plenty. How many ring that bell because they do not seem to get anywhere. Plenty!
I will never ring that bell. I keep blogging, writing in FaceBook, Tweet, hand my cards to everybody, tell all my friends about Polynesian Dreams. Tell them to buy it on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, WaveCloud, Goggle or write me and I give it away gratis, but I will not wring that bell.

Listen to this admiral's speech and receive courage from it. Never give up on your ideal. Your friend and fellow writer, a word-put-together lover. Johan Van Oldenbarneveld, writer of a pretty inspiring
autobiography,  Johan Van Oldenbarneveld.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxBQLFLei70#t=33.