It's my turn to rant. I know. I know. I kknnnooowwww! I'm the happy one. I'm the encouraging one. I'm the one who throws smiley faces and exclamation points all over my blog.Can I take one day a month just to cry? To get mad? To get forever frustrated and just throw in the towel? It's only one day???
Yes, I can take the day and be mad, just one time this month. I promise I'll smile more tomorrow, okay?
Now, what do you do when you're tired of trying? I don't want to write any more. There is obviously something wrong with my writing when door after door gets slammed in my face.
Do I need to take a hint from all the strangers who read my work and say "NO!"???
Maybe.
Maybe not.
I don't know.
But I do know, for now, I should probably take a break (not quit. or least I don't think not quit) and recuperate.
I need healing.
I'm tired of slammed doors.
I want positives.
Where's my sunshine? It's very dark and cloudy right now. It may even snow. I don't know. Who cares? Not me...I'm not even going to go back and read this to myself before I hit the publish button. I don't want to delete any misery I may have shared with you today.
May it rain, no storm, on everyone today...
Uh, yea, I didn't really mean that. Why should I take my anger and sadness out on the world? I guess because it makes me feel better.
Anyone got a Kleenex? Chocolate? Peanut butter?
It will get better, it will get better, it will get better. It. Will. Get. Better.
So, now that I have spread my depression all over the bloggy world, what are you insecure about this month?
Loved your blog. Made me smile. Not at your misery, just that we've all been there and done that and now hopefully since you put it out there you're once again smiling!
ReplyDeleteThen again, you could read my blog and really turn that frown in to a smile. :)
Yea, now I feel silly for ranting so much! I'm back on top. I think:)
DeleteI wrote my own post haha. Liked your idea so much. Felt like ranting.
ReplyDeletehttp://amandafoody.blogspot.com/2012/10/iwsg-yay-for-october-now-here-are-my.html
Now, I can go about my day in a better mood.I'm off to read your post...
DeleteI feel better. Who wouldn't after looking at Jack Sparrow?
DeleteOh my God. I could have written this myself right now. I think several of us are experiencing this feeling right now actually. *quietly hands you some virtual Kleenex, and chocolate, and peanut butter. And wine. (just to be safe.) *hugs*
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jodie. Do you have more> I've already eaten all mine, and yours.
DeleteSometimes you just have to let it out. Get cleansed. Indulge in chocolate (dipped in peanut butter..yessss). There's something reassuring in reading how others feel insecure yet keep finding the love of writing. Go you.
ReplyDeleteAlready done that. Working on the 2nd box. Feeling better already:)
DeleteThat's what this day is for!
ReplyDeleteNow, dump it all behind you and start fresh tomorrow.
Ok. It's behind me and I'm off to find some sunshine!
DeleteIt's hard when all the Nos come at the same time - but a no today means there's more room for a yes tomorrow. I had a story rejected so many times, and then one day it was accepted. It's just the way it goes. Eat chocolate, kick something (soft) and smile again tomorrow :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. Kick something. It never occurred to be, but I like the idea. Now, where's that pillow????
DeleteSometimes you need to take a mental health day and do all the indulgent things. Watch your favorite movie, read your favorite book, and eat your favorite foods. Everything gets better. And send all the storm clouds this way. I love the rain. :D
ReplyDeleteHi Laura. It is literally raining here today. How appropriate. But, it's supposed to turn to snow later on today or tonight. Want snow, too?
DeleteI agree, give yourself a break and keep trying to knock down doors.
ReplyDeleteI know. I've got some doors in front of me, coming up real soon. I just don't know if I'm up to it right now...
DeleteA break is a good thing. So is chocolate. And massages. And yoga.
ReplyDeleteMourn this day so you can lift yourself up and be better tomorrow. Like the phoenix, you can rise from the metaphorical ashes.
And pedicures. Don't forget pedicures:)
DeleteOooh...pedicures...I need one of those! And a mani. Spa day!!!
DeleteTake some time to recharge. I think that's what you may need. You've got to refuel, replenish, and revive. It's important, it IS necessary. Feel Good!! We all get those days. Just sit back and listen to your body...and then, and then, that quiet little voice will tweet out from the depths. <3 many blessings!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right and I agree 100%. It's just a dream that I have and getting ignored doesn't help. It makes it more like a nightmare:(
DeleteSo, I'm off to recharge with my chocolate and Kleenex and warm fuzzy slippers and my favorite movie and my favorite book and....
Excellent! BTW dreams rarely mean what they appear to mean. If you are getting ignored in the dream--That may be yourself saying--hey, You're Ignoring me. Take care of me--recharge! Perfect. Enjoy. XX
DeleteSometimes it's just a matter of not having found the right agent/editor/publisher/contest yet. Everyone has different tastes. I gave up querying far too quickly 10-11 years ago, but now I realize I wasn't ready to be a published writer yet. And when I began again last spring, I came to realize my queries weren't as good as they should've been, and that I might be leading with the wrong type of manuscript (a thick contemporary historical Bildungsroman that doesn't really comfortably fit into any sort of age-based category). Keep up doing what you love, and you'll eventually find success.
ReplyDeleteI agree it's a real matter of finding the right agent/editor/publisher. I'm learning about the contest. They always sound so promising and it's hard to resist. But, I think I'm resting from them, too. For a while anyway. Maybe.
DeleteAwwwww. *ruffles hair* Poor baby! DON'T stop writing! But it doesn't hurt on occasion to take a break from SUBMITTING. In fact I can't write and submit at the same time. Alternatively--maybe do a little research on requests for submission and see if you might be able to write TO something--is there something a publisher is looking for? Those gigs are easier to get.
ReplyDeleteooooo! That's awesome advice. Find someone who is looking for something specific and write what they want. I think it's time for some research!
DeleteThanks!
You already read my insecurity, and you're welcome to our tissues/chocolate/peanut butter anytime. Like Hart said, it takes writing a story for someone that makes a difference (granted, you still write for yourself, but for others, too), so I thank my wife for challenging me to write fantasy. I wrote my first try for her and wow, did it make a difference. You're awesome and so is your work. Keep being awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteAaaaawww. I feel so bad. Don't be sad. Or, okay...forget that. You're allowed to be sad. We all have these days. BUT, I haven't read that much by you except for the Ghostly Short Story and that was SOOOO good. I worked really hard on my entry, but I liked yours enough to vote against my own!
ReplyDeleteI can guarantee you that you can write. I swear, I wouldn't lie. I'd just throw some "get happy" advice your way and not mention it. But I've seen SO many first chapters, short stories etc...(I've done a ton of critiquing) and you can always tell whether someone can write within the first page. Your first 150 is solid and the whole short story was great. No crappy writer could've pulled that off.
And weren't you number thirty on Tara Tyler's page? If so, I left you a comment yesterday. :)I've heard historical fiction can be tough sell, but I think concept of your story is awesome. Keep trying. Eventually it will work out. And if you ever need a critique of a couple chapters or whatever, hit me up!
It's the Oobleck. It's going around. But when the sun comes out it melts.
ReplyDeleteDon't give up. Don't ever give up. You have every right to be mopey and dopey and gloomy and grumpy, but don't ever even think about giving up.
Lauren
Lauren-ritz.blogspot.com
Sending you oodles of hugs and chocolate and I'll even share my peanut butter! Sorry you are feeling down today, we all feel like that *sometimes* (read a lot!). It can only get better and that big break might be just around the corner. Take care.
ReplyDeleteHey there!
ReplyDeleteHow about a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting? ; P
Nice to meet you in the bloggosphere, thanx for stopping by my blog,
Tessa.xx
Hi Talyn
ReplyDeleteChin up, and don't give up on your dream. Can I share a tiny little bit about my dream. When I first started writing a few years ago, I read how high the odds were stacked against me. I even entered the GUTGAA agent pitch and got some nice feedback on my entry, but at the same time, there was a point in my journey when I decided, for this manuscript no more rejections.
I researched and went down the path of self publishing. I know I know you might be cringing, and that is your perogative, but for me, I had to re-examine what exactly my dream was, so this is what I did.
I have a story I want kids to read and enjoy, be that 10 or 20 or 1 million, for me, it doesnt matter.
I love my story enough not to leave in the hands of other people to make it happen, so just last week it went live on Amazon.
Now I am not saying that was an easy process. It was painstaking but I just put one foot in front of the other each day. In the process I have met many Indie authors along the way who are excellent at their craft and so happy to offer help and advice.
You have a lovely blog, wonderful friends who can offer advice and help along the way, so I just wanted to say, never give up on the dream, however that dream looks and don't be afraid to let it take shape into avenues you would never have dreamt of exploring.
Best of luck
Julie Anne Grasso
http://whenigrowupiwannawriteakidsbook.blogspot.com.au/
Don't give up. Take a time to renew. Try a new writing class, zumba anyone?? Just do something you enjoy and your soul will heal, then, with even more determination, keep plowing. It may seem your time will never come, but someday you'll be in the right place at the right time. Maybe try different avenues like writing something writing-related or do reviews for a magazine. You never know when your chance will come but expanding your horizons may bring you some positives to feed your drive.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Ugg, so unfair. You just cry if you want to. (God, I sound like a Holly Cole song) There are no answers, are there, just feelings and insecurities and hopes. Good luck. Here's a happy face for you to cheer you up. :)
ReplyDeleteWe are all entitled to having a bad day once in a while. The good thing is that it always gets better with time. Hang in there and whatever you do, don't give up!
ReplyDeleteBreaks are good, especially when chocolate and pb are involved! :)
ReplyDeleteEveryone has felt like giving up. Anyone can give up. Not everyone can keep on going when the rejections keep coming.
ReplyDeleteTry reading your work as if you were a stranger to it. Read Stephen King's ON WRITING. The ghost of Bruce Lee gives a few hints on how to add life to your writing on my post of today. Pain is part of a novice writer's life. But the pain adds realism to our future stories, Roland
It will get better - especially for someone with your creativity! I'm not trying to simply make you feel better, I believe it. I have to believe it. It's what gets me through the rejections which suck - just as you describe. Wishes for plenty kleenex, chocolate and peanut butter coming your way!!
ReplyDeleteI know creativity's coaster is hard! Go watch a good movie and have some Hot Chocolate...you need to replenish your soul~
ReplyDeleteYes chocolate n' hugs works miracles! ;D
i dont know you well enough to say, suck it up! so i wont. but i dont think you need coddling either. so here...
ReplyDeletetake your break, we all need one sometimes - writing is a mass of failures kicking our butts to improve until we get it publication perfect. i say read! then i bet reading something will rejuvenate your writing desires and give you ideas on how to improve. and have a truffle, couldnt hurt!
Take a break, wallow for a bit, change your writing by doing something you don't normally do. For me it was trying my hand at Flash Fiction which totally terrified me. Then I fell in love with it and missed it when I went back to my novel.
ReplyDeleteOh, and chocolate...LOTS of chocolate applied liberally.