What To Do When You Don’t Think You’ll Ever Get Published

by James L. Rubart

For you non golf fans, nine days ago, Sergio Garcia won The Masters—one of the most longed for titles in all of professional sports. It was his first golf “major” after 18 years and seventy one tries.

That’s a long time coming. No other golfer has played in more majors without winning one than Sergio.

When he broke onto the scene in 1999 and almost beat Tiger Woods in the PGA Championship, everyone thought Sergio would win a slew of majors; including Sergio.

Didn’t happen. 

Near miss, after near miss in the majors. Collapses. Chokes. He blamed other players, the courses, the golfing gods, it was always someone’s fault that he had the title of “Best player never to win a major.” It wasn’t easy living with the label.

But something funny happened on a sun soaked Sunday afternoon in Georgia nine days ago. Sergio stayed calm. Didn’t press. Was at peace even after a horrendous drive on the 13th hole. Then on the 15th hole he gave us a shot for the ages. And in a one hole playoff with Englishman Justin Rose, Sergio triumphed.

In an interview after he’d been declared champion, on a course that had rejected him so many times, Sergio said, “I came to peace with it the last 3-4 years. I accepted what Augusta gives and takes. I think, because of that, I’m able to stand here today.”

Our Takeaways

You’re writers. You already know what I’m going to say, but let’s do it anyway:

• Don’t give up. Don’t. You were told it would be a tough road when you started. But you didn’t imagine it could be this tough. Let’s keep going anyway. Just like Sergio. 


• Come to peace with your journey and realize getting published is not the prize. The journey (and who you’re becoming on the journey) is the prize. 


• Write your best story. Keep working on your game. And let what’s going to happen, happen. Yes, you can trust Him, just like a parent wants their young children to trust them that they know what they’re doing. 

One More Thing

Seve Ballesteros is a legend among golf fans. He’s the greatest player to ever come out of Spain. And he was Sergio’s idol and mentor.

Sadly, Seve passed away from a brain tumor in 2011. But even so, Seve inspired on that Sunday afternoon nine days back.

Serigo won his first major on what would have been Seve’s 60th birthday.

Does God know how to tell a story, or what!

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What To Do When You Don’t Think You’ll Ever Get Published by James L. Rubart (Click to Tweet)

Don’t give up. Don’t.~ James L. Rubart (Click to Tweet)

Getting published is not the prize. The journey is the prize.~ James L. Rubart (Click to Tweet) 

James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man's body. He thinks he's still young enough to water ski like a madman and dirt bike with his two grown sons, and loves to send readers on journeys they'll remember months after they finish one of his stories. He's the best-selling, Christy BOOK of the YEAR, INSPY, and RT Book Reviews award winning author of eight novels as well as a professional speaker and the co-host of the Novel Marketing podcast. During the day he runs his branding and marketing company which helps businesses, authors, and publishers make more coin of the realm. He lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington. More at www.jameslrubart.com

 Title Photo Copyright: sifotography / 123RF Stock Photo