Learning Curves

I've wanted to be a writer since college--I started out wanting to be a journalist, then I wanted to be a technical writer. When I discovered historical fiction and particularly historical romance, i knew I'd found the genre I was passionate about, but I sure as heck wasn't passionate about the writing process. It was arduous, painful, and darned inconvenient! Now, years later I realize I was only learning to write. I spent years as a dance teacher and I knew first hand that learning an art form was painful, but somehow I never made the connection to writing so I was always slightly resentful that it didn't come easier. It took me years as a dancer, but I reached a point where I could choreograph a group dance in a couple of hours instead of weeks. Now I have finally reached a point where I can make the words come more smoothly. The point being, whatever you do, don't forget to give yourself some slack for that learning curve!