My fiance really liked the story, which is a good sign. Lately, she's been kinda so-so with what I've been writing, but this latest one really floored her.
You know, I write as much for that as the actual sake of writing. Don't get me wrong, I love the feel, the trance, the damn muscle work of actually writing- but hearing her tell me it's good makes all the hours, the self doubt, and the sacrifices worth it.
I was reading this other writer's blog the other day. She's a good writer; I enjoyed the story she published at EDF, and that's why I went to her blog. But Jesus, was that blog depressing. I think most people know writing is a tough racket- there are no guarantees in life, and especially not in the publishing world. Still, nearly every post this woman put down was about the woes of it all: the hours spent writing, the many rejection slips, the editing process, the time sacrificed, etc, etc. I only read one damn page of her blog and I nearly gave up writing forever. Alright, not really, but you get the point. It just depressed me, started making me think that maybe this gig was impossible or some ridiculous notions like that. So, I decided never to read her blog again. I'll read any stories she gets published, but I'm never ingesting the bullshit that was on that blog. You can't think like that. You can't focus on that kind of stuff. It sabotages you, and you don't even realize it's happening.
Your mind does what you tell it to. If you tell it that writing is hard, and that you get a lot of rejection slips- well, that's what you're gonna get in the future.
No other way about it.
3 comments:
I find that there are some people I can't be around, and others who are just fine in person, but their work destroys my incentive. Its a tough enough trade without adding personal angst.
If the writer is not just plugging away, write what they can, roll with the rejections and learn as they go, I just can't read their blogs or newsgroup. I just can't. Some of my best friends in person never see a visit online.
Writing is hard work. Hard work can lift you up, or it can grind you down. Since the hard work of writing is nearly always optional, why play if it hurts? Go do macrame or interpretive dancing, and leave your misery behind with the keyboard.
Heh. End of rant.
Liked your story on EDF!
So true, David AND Michael. What you write is what you're programming for yourself. If you spend the effort to set yourself up for rejection, you'll get rejected. Besides, who wants to read a blog that's depressing and not the least bit entertaining?
Liked your flash.
Thank you both for the comments! Much thanks for the story too!
Post a Comment