Welcome to the monthly clearing of the minds also known as the Insecure Writer's Support Group!
Writers from near and far join in on the first Wednesday of the month to share our worries and tales of writing life.
Join us!https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
Folks, this writing business is hard. I'm not going to lie.
You're plunking along, doing your writing, marketing, etc--and something just hits you between the eyes and pushes you down.
Then it seems like everyone is doing better than you, just to kick you in the teeth.
I know logically that we're all at our own pace--and success for one is not the same as for another. AND that looking for external validation is a step toward madness. (That Master's in Psych loves to point these things out. ;))
But when you're feeling like you keep pushing a boulder up the hill, you see a light at the top, and then it rolls right back down, it sometimes takes a bit to shake it off.
I know it will be okay. Logically.
This has happened before--many times--and might happen again. I'll sort it out eventually.
But, my point is for everyone--this happens.
I saw a new writer in a group (not IWSG) run into some issues and were unhappy about the response to their only book. So they were pulling their book and throwing in the towel. After a few weeks.
They left before anyone could respond.
Writing is the most wonderful, amazing, maddening, soul draining, intense, and slow-moving field.
Don't expect to hit it out of the park on your first try. Or your fiftieth. You might never make it.
I'm not trying to be negative--but if you're writing for the right reasons (whatever works for you as long as $$$$ or fame aren't attached--not saying money is bad, I happen to really like money. BUT it probably shouldn't be the only reason you write. Just sayin')--you've already hit it out of the park.
Part time, full time, an hour a week--you are doing what your heart wants. You could become someone's favorite writer someday.
There will be downs. And ups....and more downs but kind sorta in the middle of up and down.
The point is, even when that boulder chases you back down the hill--believe in yourself to be able to deal with it.
How do you deal with your frustrations in the writing world?
Happy IWSG day!