Just a week or so ago I was feeling very down about my
writing. I’d written nothing for almost two weeks and had tried to work on a
story and it just wasn’t flowing. There were, as well, the usual rejections and
that sort of thing happening. Either bad or potentially bad news seemed to be
attacking on every front.
Then I had a story published, “Woman in Dust,” and got a lot
of very positive comments on it. I got potentially good news on an issue that I
was particularly concerned about, although I’m not daring to mention it until
it is a reality. I picked up a few comments in real life from folks who enjoyed
my writing, and the story I was working on finally started to flow, although
I’m still fighting with it every step of the way. This week I feel better about
things, and am very glad for it.
I have prided myself in the past for writing on even in the
face of no external validation. But I realize now that I was fooling myself a
bit. Any writer who depends extensively on external validation isn’t going to
be in the business for long. But I guess we all need to hear at least occasionally
that what we are doing is worthwhile and appreciated. There’s got to be some kind of payoff for all
the hard work, and money has not been that payoff for me.
I haven't made much writing, but the few checks have been nice. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteblessings and congratulations on being published.
ReplyDeletejust a tip: there is a story in the inability to create a story.
peace.
Rhapsody
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“The highest education is that which does not merely give us information, but makes our life
in harmony with all existence”-Rabindranath Tagore
Glad things are looking brighter.
ReplyDeleteI know one or two writers who claim to not care even a tiny bit whether anyone reads their stuff or what they think of it. I'm not sure I believe them. I do know, though, that for the other 99.9% of us, we do need to feel like there are people reading and enjoying our work. Writing, like all art, is communication, when you get right down to it. If I'm not communicating with anyone, or if I'm not getting any feedback to show that I am, I might as well just finish a story and toss the pages down a well. IMO anyone who publishes wants to be read. If we didn't, stories would never leave our hard drive or notebook or whatever.
ReplyDeleteSo yeah, that's perfectly normal. Heck, I even get kind of jazzed when I see that someone's added one of my books on Goodreads. Ratings and reviews are awesome, but even an add shows that someone's interested. :)
Glad you're feeling better about things. {{}}
Angie
glad it was a good week! definitely keep writing! i'm waiting for Cold in the Light 2.
ReplyDeleteSage, yes, good beer money!
ReplyDeleteRhapsody, thanks.
Patti, me too!. Thankee.
Angie, absolutely right. No way of getting around it for us.
Greg, I've had an idea for a kind of sequel to that a long time. Maybe one day.
You're right, my friend. This is not a business where depending on external praise will work. We write for ourselves. It's the only way not to go nuts or end up in writer's block hell. :) Some stuff will work and other stuff won't. It's as simple as that. First and foremost we have to enjoy the writing. If we don't, it will show in everything we hit the keystrokes on.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling better, too. Things at home have gone berserk (again!), but I can rise above that.
ReplyDeleteCharles, I'm glad you have some good news. There's always some round the corner and I hope it comes your way all the time.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteBernard, once I get into the writing I always enjoyed it. Well almost always. But getting to it is harder under some circumstances.
eric1313, sorry to hear that. Drama is so draining.
Prashant, it's nice when it happens.
Congrats, Charles. And as to the final paragraph, amen to that ~ Forsooth, forsooth ~ !
ReplyDeleteCharles-I think you write because you simply HAVE too. But sharing it is like a good conversation with someone. I feel that publishing has a somewhat "who you know" aspect. Like many artists and musicians, some talent is not recognized. Hang in there, Buddy!
ReplyDeleteWe all need that positive encouragement once in awhile. I've always enjoyed your writing, whether in stories or on this blog. Now I need to go back to the previous post and find that story.
ReplyDeleteErik, indeed!
ReplyDeleteJodi, there certainly is a lot of luck involved.
Travis Cody, thanks, man. I appreciate the kind words.