Ok, to be fair, not all of us are in the freak out and throw things mode, at least not all at the same time ;). But right now that is a much better and more accurate assessment of my writing mind than "Keep calm and carry on". I do love the original British motto, and it helps. Sometimes. Other times you just sort of want to freak out. And throw things. And maybe scream a little.
Usually the epic geeky wonder of Comic Con San Diego gives me a boost of creative energy. And it sort of did this year, I was gobsmacked as usual by all the amazing things folks are doing. But I fear that may have collided with my current stress/overwhelmed state and created a perfect storm of "can't do nothing".
I have now managed to not write for over two weeks and heading solidly into week three. I think it's a combination of stress at evil day job, but also a massive amount of self-doubt and being over-whelmed by trying to get the self-publishing off the ground and still taking hits from rejections from the few things I still had floating out in the trad publishing world. I want to do the self-publishing right, but being able to afford it all is freaking me out. Putting something out there that looks like crap, freaks me out. Pretty much my entire writing world is freaking me out right now.
So until I figure out a better coping mechanism (like any at all) I'll be sitting in my corner and throwing things.
Wanna find some more writers who are perhaps not quite as insecure as me today? http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/
Go check some out!
You mean all writers aren't always freaking out all of the time?? Maybe try to focus on actually writing for a little while and not all the self-publishing worries that are causing you to throw things. I find whenever I go too long without writing it drives me nuts.
ReplyDeleteSarah Foster
August IWSG Co-host
Thank you, Sarah! I think that is the problem, all of the issues are colliding to make one giant, "run for cover!" mode. I do know that not writing is making me more stressed. I'll have to try and get my brain to move away from the bad thoughts only focus on the characters and story :). Thanks for coming by!
DeleteStep 1: Go to the dollar store
ReplyDeleteStep 2: Buy ugly things that won't leave shards
Step 3: Throw them against the side of the house/garage/shed
Step 4: Breathe in.
Step 5: Breathe out.
Step 6: Repeat 1-5 as needed but not more than once per week.
I suggest that you read some inspiration both here at IWSG and other places online. Kristen Lamb just wrote a fabulous post the other day about stress and the writing life. I find I get inspired to work harder when I read things like that. Good luck!
LOL! I like that, Christina! My neighbors might think I'm weirder than usual, but it would be worth it :), I'll have to check out Kristen's post too!
DeleteThanks for coming by!
You'll be ok, you'll get through this and figure everything out :)
ReplyDeleteI've done plenty of freaking out as of late over my own novel, it's the first one I'm taking all the way to publication. As you said the money side is very scary but fortunately I've cut a couple of deals so I should be ok ::fingers crossed::
Take the time to breathe and calm yourself. Not writing for a couple of weeks is horrible and frustrating but it's also natural. Do something relaxing and completely switch off for an evening. I find a good few glasses of wine and some bad movies are really helpful for that.
You'll get there, just give yourself the room to do so :)
Thank you, Roxy. I think having other writers say to take a step back and breathe really helps. I know it logically, but freak out mode is pretty much all emotion. Good luck on your own book adventure and thanks for coming by!
DeleteHi Marie,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like classic writers block to me. The best thing I ever did for my writing was to start The Artist's Way. It got me over my first HUGE writing block years ago, and I use the exercises to get me through my own freak-outs. :-)
Hi Kathy! (congrats on the upcoming release btw!) I haven't tried The Artist's Way yet, but I might just do so now! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteUG! Blogger ate my comment. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteIn a nutshell--love the Dollar Tree advice above AND write something just for you. Something you never intend to share with anyone. This will help you remember why you love writing and then it will be easier to return to your other projects.
Good luck! Here's the link to my IWSG post: My Writing Journey
Hi Charity- I hate it when blogger does that! Sorry on it's behalf, it hadn't been feed lately ;). I like that advice too- a story just for me, where my evil editor brain will leave it alone- YES! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteI can only imagine what the pressure of self-publishing is doing to you. I'm pretty sure I'll be going the self-publishing route too, and from what I've read, it seems overwhelming. Good luck. And don't worry about the writing. It'll come back when you're all recharged again.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ken! I hope so!
DeleteThanks for coming by :)
I know what you mean about being intimidated by the creative work other people are doing. It can put a hex on your mojo. You see what they have done and think your work doesn't measure up. But look at it this way; While you're in awe at what someone else has done, there are people out there looking at what you've imagined saying, "Why didn't I think of that?! Where does she get her ideas?!" We become so familiar with our own work that the shine goes off it, but that doesn't mean that others won't see it in all its bright wonder.
ReplyDeleteNow get on that computer and write me a shiny wonder.
Sharon
LOL!!! Excellent points as usual, Sharon- and very good food for thought :). Kinda makes me look at things a bit differently and that might be what I need.
DeleteThanks for coming by!
Just write and don't worry about everyone or everything else. Otherwise, none of us would ever get anywhere :) I've heard that turning up the music to full blast and jumping on the bed for 10-20 minutes helps a lot (although the neighbors will hate your guts). I personally go for the scream and dive into chocolate variation. In other words, freaking out and not thinking we can do anything and realizing that everyone else writes so awesome (omg - I wonder how they do it) just has to be ignored. Wall built around it. Bash it over the head, when it starts leaking through again. And grab some more chocolate.
ReplyDeleteYou are a wise woman!!! CHOCOLATE! I like that idea! I also like the load music and jumping on the bed....hmmmmm maybe try both and let my neighbors suffer? ;)
DeleteThanks for coming by!
For many self-publishers, it's a learn-as-you process and it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Take time for yourself to get your mind back in gear and focused on the most important thing here, the writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, J.L. :). I thinking you made an excellent point- it's about the writing :). I need to forget everything else and focus on that, something too easy to forget :). Thanks for coming by!
DeleteI know the felling. I'm self published because I got tired of rejection since my voice is YA and my characters are not. Take one step at a time. The hardest thing is getting readers to find you. I have a plan but that is all at the moment.
ReplyDeleteNancy
Good luck, N.R.! I think the best thing about self-pubbing is that those of us who may not fit in the niches set up by NY can find readers- I'm sure you will! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteI'm in this self-publishing thing as well, plodding through edits and saving as I go. It's taking me longer (hoping to have it ready sometime next year), but quality is paramount to me and I'm committed to do the best I can.
ReplyDeleteTake your time and try not to feel pressured.
Agreed! Lucinda, doesn't it seem to take forever to get it rolling? SIGH. But we will make it! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteI've also decided to go the self-publishing route.
ReplyDeleteIt seems insurmountable if you try to think about everything at once.
Make a list. Just take it a task at a time. And remember that you're not alone.
Writer In Transit
Thanks, Michelle. I need to make a list to remind me to make a list and ONLY look at one item at a time! Good luck on your own list and thanks for coming by!
DeleteThrowing things helps. So does tearing things up. :) I find when I'm really frustrated with myself (read: terrified to fail), I write things down on a sheet of paper and scrunch it into a ball--then unfold and repeat, until I'm tired of it. Then, I either tear it into strips and throw it out. Funny how we all have our special routines, hm?
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the best on your self-publishing route. The best advice I ever received on that was not to think of it as a static thing. Self-Pub is always changing, all the time, every day. Just keep reading and learning.
I'm cheering for you--you can do it! (and if you need company to throw things, I'm more than happy to help. :P )
Thanks, Sara! Maybe we should form a writers who throw things group! I like the idea of your writing on the paper and forcing those thoughts to come to light but also go away. Thanks for coming by!
DeleteSorry you're having a rough time. Sending good vibes that all will work out the way you want it to. Keep on. Stay the course. You can do it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beverly! :)
DeleteYou should like me a couple months ago. Between the day job and other things in my life, my writing was at a stand still. Thankfully, it didn't last, but I'm still battling bouts of unproductively because I am freaking out that I suck and no one wants to read my stories. Despite all, that I wouldn't change a thing. I'm still glad I put my books out there and am still determined to keep writing. Hang tough, you and your stories rock, and it's all worth the journey that moment you have your book in your hands. =D
ReplyDeleteThank you, Patricia! Seeing folks who are still fighting the good fight helps a lot :). Thanks for coming by and I hope your books sales are awesome!
DeleteSometimes you need time to process. I've spent a while not writing, while taking things all in. I think that's okay, too. Of course, I'm not an expert either. :) Rejections can be a severe bummer. I've had those too, while working on a freelance project/one of my novels, and it can really knock the wind out of my sails - for a while. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anne :).
DeleteIt`s when I feel down that I usually realize I should be writing. Start off with venting and work your way to your wip. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Shout with Emaginette
OOOO- venting to get the words flowing- I like that one! And it might just work to shake the freak outs off :). Thanks for coming by!
DeleteI get that way too sometimes. For me it helps to breathe, get back to writing and ignore all the other stuff for a while, and just take one small step at a time. Picture yourself clearing everything off a table with one swipe of your arm, then put one thing back on to deal with and only one thing. Good luck with it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the imagery idea, Lori, that's a good tool that may help as well! I figure anything to realign my thoughts should work towards helping. Thanks for coming by!
DeleteUntil this year, I didn't write every day, for many of the reasons mentioned here. Then I decided that I MUST write SOMETHING every day -- even if it's just a paragraph or a character sketch. Once you stop, it's really, really hard to get on that horse again with any confidence. Eat some chocolate, buy yourself something nice, and force your fingers to type on that keyboard! :-)
ReplyDeleteAs for self-publishing, there are many great resources out there to help. Have you checked out the Book Designer blog? It's about more than book design and has lots of helpful info for self-pubbers. Here's the URL:
http://www.thebookdesigner.com/
Excellent advice, Anna- and I'm going to check out that blog! Thanks for coming by :)
DeleteI was very recently in the "freak out and throw things" mode. For me, it's the opposite of stress at the evil day job. I quit the evil day job, and now I feel this tremendous pressure to write -- pressure that robs me of the creativity to do so. What if I NEEDED the evil day job to write? What if I've made a terrible mistake????
ReplyDeleteYeah, that kind of freak out. I'm slowly coming down from it now ... :)
LOL!!! Well, at least you're realizing you may be having freak outs, Dianne- now keep breathing and move past them :). And congrats on quitting the evil day job- I think you'll be fine soon :)
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting ;)- at evil day job so I can't log in- Marie