I have been slacking terribly of late on my writing. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve literally gotten an hour, maybe two, of writing in. I could blame all of the social engagements I’ve had (I’m suddenly a social butterfly). I could also blame it on the bossa nova. The fact is, I’ve had no motivation. Anyone who reads this blog (and the both of you know who you are) know that this is a common lament.
Today I received two sources of inspiration that really make me want to put myself back in the game.
This blog post by Monica Valentinelli is a great morale booster for “any writer who has ever felt discouraged and depressed” (which means, for any writer). The part that spoke to me most was where she talks about the choices that we make as writers:
What choices have you made? Can you live with those decisions?
Well, if you can’t — then make a different choice. If you can, suck it up and get back to that computer! Your next story will not get written if you keep whining about how bad things are. Channel that energy into your characters and turn that frustration into a work of art.
Right now, the place that I’m at in my writerly life is the place where I need to suck it up and get behind a keyboard. I haven’t been, and I actually feel a bit ashamed about it. It’s a vicious circle where I feel guilty for not writing and then don’t write because I feel so down and then I feel guilty for not writing. Not a good place to be…
Do you remember my previous blog post where I wished for more feedback from editors on my writing? I just got the best rejection in my writing life. They took a moment to indicate that the writing was strong and the story was engaging and also gave me an indication of where it fell flat. They’re not using it but they also want to see more from me. HUGE EGO BOOST!
I know…it’s ironic that a rejection can actually be good news, but this one was. I really feel like I’m on the right track, that what I’m trying to do is of worth, and that I can actually DO this (whatever “this” is). After getting that email I immediately wanted to get back to my story and work on it. However, I was at my day job and couldn’t (another of those choices I made). But the fact is I can’t really act on this great rejection until I actually get back on the horse and create more stories (to mix metaphors…see, I’m obviously out of practice).
So, if you’re writing or thinking about writing, don’t give up. Don’t let rejection get you down. Suck it up and get back behind that keyboard…
Shedrick
Serial Distractions 
I’ve had little motivation for a long time, now – NaNoWriMo was probably the last time. I keep thinking that, as someone with a good imagination and almost forty years of life experience, I should be able to cobble together a decent enough story for a novel, or a bunch of short stories. I also know that I should be taking time, even if it’s just an hour or two a day, to sit and write/type.
As for the rejections, considering how many submissions publishers etc. must be getting these days, (like photography, everyone seems to be a writer/poet nowadays!), I think it’s awesome that you getting rejections that actually have some critique to them, as opposed to some standard, pro forma “Thanks, but…” letter.
I’m very excited…it’s just ironic to get such a positive rejection! Nano got me real motivated too…then I took a month off and have been off ever since (grr…). Then I went to a writer’s con (ConDFW) and got fired up again. Now, motivation-wise, I seem to be on fumes. Today is starting to get me pepped again. An “hour or two a day” doesn’t sound like much but I get so distracted or talk myself out of it. You’d think I didn’t enjoy writing the way I avoid it!
Thank you for linking to my article, and I really hope that you don’t give up.
Good luck with your writing! 🙂
I really enjoyed the article…thanks for stopping by!
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