When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

At drama school we were taught that the role of the clown is, every time he falls down, to get up and try again.

That’s the role of the clown.

And that’s our role, as well, isn’t it?

When we fall, or fail, we are to get up, and try again.

Applies to our writing, too, right? Short story rejected by a magazine? Try again. Don’t get placed in a competition when you worked hard on your story? Try again. Not quite the feedback you were expecting? Still things to work on? Try again.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

That’s the thing with our heroes and heroines, too

When Carry holds down her stressful job while living with bipolar, because she can do it, may be I can cope with the stresses of my job, too.

If Billy Elliot can become a ballet dancer, he can achieve his dream with all of the social forces fighting against him, then surely I can achieve mine.

If they can do it, so can I.

I can win that place at art school.

I can learn the piano.

I can pass my exams.

If Rocky can make a comeback aged 60, then I can make a comeback, too.

Whatever the story world, every hero exudes the same quality: resilience.

Whether it’s Billy Elliot or Rocky Balboa, the quality is the same:

Resilience.

Resilience is the characteristic we must ingrain in our characters.

And resilience is the quality we must ingrain in ourselves.

Resilience.

Let’s ingrain.