Defining Success

I've been posting lately about persistence in getting published, and Nienke aptly commented:

I think, for the most part, writers write simply because they must. One blogger (unfortunately I can't remember who) recently asked people if they'd still write even if they never had the chance of publishing. I think every commenter said yes.
Yet, I think we all play the fantasy of becoming rich and famous in our heads every once in a while. For example, I love reading "The Call" stories and reading about how writers made it. I'll keep writing even if I never have those stories to tell of my own.

And she's quite right -- publishing or making it big is not necessarily a requirement of success for every writer.

In her series of posts at Charis Connection, Jane Kirkpatrick explores what success means for her writing life:

Success to me is plunging headlong into a pool of intensity, emerging energized and wiser on the other side, seeking applause for my achievement and for being unique. Success is connecting with others in relationships that are intimate and disclosing, engaging and vibrant, growing and changing, tender and supportive. It is embracing without reservation my spiritual beliefs and living congruently with them. Success is also being inspired and challenged by the world around me to use my writing, speaker, humor, caring and leadership abilities to creatively touch the lives of others.

What is Success?

What is Success? Part 2

What is Success? Part 3

I've been thinking about defining writing success for myself, the way Kirkpatrick has done. I wonder what the key element is for me.

I am on vacation this week but I'm going to try to keep up my posting from Dade City, Florida.