IWSG ~ A Writing Truth
The purpose of the IWSG is to share and encourage, posting on the first Wednesday of each month. You'll find writer doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Support and a common understanding spread throughout the group as many fellow writers can relate. Feel free to JOIN in anytime.
When writing is no longer fun I'll stop. - Mega, outlandish, totally-saying-it-because-we-think-we're supposed-to LIE.
I have no idea who said that first, but it's a total fib. No one on this planet can like what they do ALL THE TIME. It's not possible. Well, maybe on some infinitesimal level when all variables line up and the planets take on some never-before-seen alignment. But that answer is for some mathematical genus. Not me. A writer. We ALL feel that writer's angst from time to time--the black rabbit hole of doubt, denial, and self-degradation. Don't tell me you never have wanted to smash your laptop or tomahawk every stinking social media site that waves everyone else's writing successes in your face. And don't tell me you haven't ever said to yourself, "I suck."
You have. We all have.
The trick is to embrace it. Don't try to distract yourself or put the writing away. Examine your obstacles. This is life. It's why we're here. You're not going to escape barriers to your dreams. And even those of you who've reached some dreams - the potholes of life are still going to come. They will never stop. We are here to learn and become more than we were when we first arrived.
Welcome a challenge. You'll be better for it.
The trick is to embrace it. Don't try to distract yourself or put the writing away. Examine your obstacles. This is life. It's why we're here. You're not going to escape barriers to your dreams. And even those of you who've reached some dreams - the potholes of life are still going to come. They will never stop. We are here to learn and become more than we were when we first arrived. 
I have days where the words won't come, as I'm sure all writers do, but if I only wrote when it was easy, I'd never finish anything! I've found setting goals helps me get through the rough spots.
ReplyDeleteSeconded! I totally hear you about the tough moments, but they are meant to determine whether we're in it for the long run, or easily weeded out. You're a winner, and I'm looking forward to picking up your works one day.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I see your hand waving in the air! :) You speak the truth, girl - Long run or mere pit stop.
DeleteAw, and thanks for the encouragement!
I have days when I hate writing or I'm just not motivated but I could never quit. It's too much a part of who I am. And yes, I have told myself "I suck." A lot. But that still never stopped me from writing. :)
ReplyDeleteI have days when I hate writing or I'm just not motivated but I could never quit. It's too much a part of who I am. And yes, I have told myself "I suck." A lot. But that still never stopped me from writing. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, the trick is to keep writing even when it's not fun, even when you think you suck, even when someone else got a really big break, even when you are disappointed and discouraged but are expected to keep smiling and pretending it's all okay. Truth.
ReplyDeleteTruth. Such power in those five letters, eh?
DeleteYup, there are always potholes. Always. I've been trying to get past page one of a new work. Maybe today I'll succeed. I try not to pay attention to others. Only my road is what matters in my journey.
ReplyDeleteYes! Our journey's are our own. With all the clutter in the world and cyber space today, it's hard to see past it all. But we must keep trying. It's good to know we have others who've been where we are and understand. :)
DeleteThe black rabbit hole of doubt!! I read my work and think, "I did a pretty good job" and ten seconds later I say, "I suck." Haha! That's why it's soooo important to have those CPs and Beta-Readers. They will tell you if your writing sucks or needs improvement or ROCKS!! :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are SO right, Sheri....
ReplyDeleteTake it from one who seems to be forever scraping the inside of that hole and trying to CLAW my way out....
You're so right. I had begun to think that polishing my manuscript was a waste of my precious time. When you reach your senior years, you hear that clock ticking louder and louder. However, I worked up the courage to send my first three chapters to a critic. I prepared myself for a harsh report. Yesterday, I received his reply - all glowing remarks. His feedback has inspired me to continue with the polishing and get it published even if I have to push through hell fire. Ya!
ReplyDeleteExactly! No matter how much you love what you do, there will be certain aspects and times when you don't enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteThat really does apply to everything in life. Picture if everything was made, done, or worked out to our liking. Gosh, we humans would get bored.
DeleteVery true. I don't think there's any great achievement that comes without a lot of hard work and roadblocks. So we should celebrate others' successes and let them spur us on in our own work.
ReplyDeleteWe definitely appreciate a reward after much hard work. If it's basically given to us, we can't comprehend its true value. It's amazing how we begin to learn this life lesson from day one after birth and continue to learn it throughout life.
DeleteSometimes you have to fake it until you make it, which includes the urge to write.
ReplyDeleteThat's very accurate. Pushing through when the urge to write has taken a hike can be hard, but we must find a way to forge ahead.
DeleteThanks for visiting!
LOVE THIS POST!! I can totally relate. But we're all works in progress, right?
ReplyDeleteGreat Post!! You're right about not liking everything all the time. I even dislike my hubby at times...And when a good story pops into my head I like to write it, makes me happy. Then there's days I say to myself, "Why am I doing this? Writing is driving me crazy. I should quit." I'm known to be fickle on occasion...
ReplyDeleteI love this post, and the advice in it :) Embracing your shortcomings is the shortest way to becoming a bigger person and a better writer.
ReplyDeleteYup. Good post.
ReplyDeleteThis goes for editing too, my choice when I want to actually get paid. If I got support at home for writing, I'd have finished a book by now, and maybe I'd earn money from that too. But I don't get family support, so I edit to keep hubby from grumbling about my time spent reading and book blogging. There's nothing like lack of support to keep writing from being fun, so anyone whose family gives encouragement should be thankful and write, write, write... And I'll settle for short stories between editing jobs because those at least give me writing practice and more sympathy for the authors I help. The proofing phase is more tedious than fun, but I treat it as a challenge. Let no error get past!
ReplyDeleteI've seriously considered quitting a couple of times. Then the "reasons" I was so down got taken care of. Still, it's a real uphill climb. I'm as determined as can be, but if another 4-5 years pass with zero return on all the time I've spent doing this, I'll probably stop. There's a limit to everything.
ReplyDelete#sigh... I hear you, Lexa. My rational brain says you're spot on, nods head and the whole bit. Then my heart gets involved. I honestly don't think I'll every quit writing, despite where it does or doesn't lead me. Might I focus on something more monetarily productive from time to time, sure. But to downright, totally stop writing ... I just don't think I could do it. That doesn't mean - as you can surely see from my post - that I find the uphill, mudfest I'm currently going through to be fun. Nope, not one bit. When I can 'get over myself', I see past all that to the personal value writing has been for me. Just got to hang in there... We'll hang together. :)
DeletePlus, you're doing wonderfully!
Even if you love something, you're not going to enjoy it all the time (and thinking you will is just going to cause trouble). And we all have bad days when we just want to hide in the bedroom and ignore everything.
ReplyDeleteGod, Entertainment, & Annoying Things
Oh how I wish I could say that I haven't doubted myself. But that would be such a terribe, horrible, no good fib bigger than I could ever imagine. I doubt and have believed I sucked miserably as writing. But instead of allowing the challenge to lay waste to my dreams, I keep trying. And I'll keep trying.
ReplyDeleteLove it, Angela! Ultimately, that's where my frame of mind sets. And whenever I'm plagued by self-doubt I try to turn to that.
DeleteI found this post particularly encouraging today. I love the truth in it. (And I love that Steampunk Tomahawk too).
ReplyDeleteI'm glad. I usually sugar-coat most of how I feel at times. "Oh yes, it can be tough but keep forging ahead," said with a smile. I just needed to blurt out how I really feel sometimes. Not all the time, by any means. But yes, sometimes....
DeleteI think writing stopped being fun all the time once I started taking it seriously and pursuing publication. When I wrote at random times or "when I was inspired" it was always fun. But when you decide to keep writing even when you don't feel like it or you've just gotten rejected, it's not as fun. But there's something about pushing through those times that's so rewarding.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post. Too many times have I doubted myself and said "I suck." But you're right in saying we much embrace it and carry on. Next time I want to smash the computer, I'm going to imagine doing it with that Tomahawk! :)
ReplyDeleteHaha! You just gave me a great visual!
Deleteyesss...I have wanted to throw my laptop out the window more times than I can count--if you're not passionate about what you do though, then who wants that?? Seven out of ten times I love it, and when I hate it it's only because I love it so much and want it to be perfect :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Beth: seven out of ten times I love it and when I hate it it's only because I love it so much and want it to be perfect. Yup.
ReplyDeleteYou hit it right on the nose! :) I tell myself every day I suck...especially when my agent-mates have book deals and I don't yet. But the key is not to give up but to work it out and plow through it one way or another. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Sheri - I'll write if the alternative is meeting that Steampunk Tomahawk - incredible weapon .. and not one I'd like to meet. I change direction if I've reached a stop and do something else - the writing usually gels back to the subject matter in a short time ... the brain has time to re calibrate itself ... Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteOoh, I love the idea of the brain re-calibrating itself. That's great! Yeah, I figured the tomahawk would ignite a few visuals. #shivers
DeleteThank you so much for visiting! I really appreciate it.
I've had my dark moments in the draft and query trenches. I pulled myself through those. I still have those moments, but I persist.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that no matter how many papers, books, or short stories a writer writes, he/she can still fall prey to inner doubts and fears. Hmm... Sometimes I really wish I could wiggle my nose and make that all vanish. LOL
DeleteWriting is not for the faint of heart.
ReplyDeleteHi Sheri,
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by:)
Hope you have a pleasant, productive day.
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