I belong to a facebook group of fabulous authors. We post about the ups and downs of publishing and ask each other for advice as we try to forge our way through the ever-changing jungle of publishing. On Monday, one author posted this upbeat status:
“Passed the halfway mark in the new book. Always a great sense, to have the story reach cruising altitude. The action can really enjoin now, the stakes are clear, characters are met and revealed, the secrets hover unexplained, tension cranks… The writing goes so much more smoothly, it seems, after the table is set.”
I replied: “Grrr. I’m at 62% of this manuscript that is due in 5 weeks, and I’m hating life.”
His reply: “My advice? Remember the days when no one was waiting for your books. Hate that life. Go get ‘em.”
BOOM. Epiphany time for me. Was it really all about my attitude?
I’ve been struggling with my current book. Getting the words on paper the last few weeks has been torture; I’ve been going crazy trying to hit my realistic word counts. I’ve had days where I refused to open my document, and other days where I’ve been nauseous at the thought of plotting my ending. I firmly believe I gave myself shingles last month stressing about the difficulty of this book and my looming deadline.
I am Negative Nelly. AKA Pessy Mystic.
I have the best job in the world. I get to make stuff up and people pay money for it. I get to work from home and be there when my kids get home from school. People would kill for my job. Why am I not reveling in my good fortune? Where the heck did my love of story go?
I’ve been utterly focused on the negative with my writing. It’s time for a serious attitude shift. So here goes:
I can’t wait to see how my hero is going to drive my heroine to the brink of despair before emotionally rescuing her. I can’t wait to see what kind of twisted s*%t my villain is going to force on the people who look up to him. I can’t wait to see how the teenager is going to surprise everyone with her bravery. (believe and repeat)
I guess you could call it my New Year’s Resolution. I never make them, but I’m overdue for this attitude change.
Every writer gets epiphanies. They come from reading, attending workshops, or just talking to other writers. What has been a “hit you over the head moment?”
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:hugs: Negativity can be a killer. But ya know, I think it’s that time of year. You’re like the third person in the past week who’s talked about finding themselves in a negative place. Heck, I’ve got a note right here next to me to write a post about it.
And I think realizing you’re in that place is half the battle to overcoming it. Kick Negative Nelly to the curb and forge ahead.
Thanks! I really believe that recognizing my place is the first step to banishing it. I find it funny that you had plans to write a post on exactly this.
B.E.’s right. From Christmas until about March is FULL of negativity. The blah weather just makes me want to crawl into a hole. The thing I try to remember (hit myself over the head with) is that this is such an exciting time in publishing. Writers have more power and avenues of opportunity now than ever! Relish it! And never forget that YOU are amazing!
Thank you, Debra. I’m so lucky to be doing what I do. And I’ve always loved the support I’ve had from other authors. A few years ago I was considering giving up writing for good, but I kept saying, “I want to hang with my RWA and suspense buddies still.” I wasn’t ready to give up my social connections!
Quick update: I wrote this blog on Monday evening and spent Tuesday and Wednesday forcing happy writing thoughts and mentally shutting down the negative ones. My writing has gone pretty well. It’s still tough, but I seriously believe I’m on to something!
Hi, Kendra. B.E. is pretty wise. And Deb is onto something about the time of year. I seem to hit bottom between Thanksgiving and March. Granted, there’s emotional baggage tied into that, along with outside duties that must be attended to, but my writing–both focus and time allotted–sucks for these months.
I need to get out of my head to get into my head. If that makes any sense? I need to face the fact that this is a tough time of year, stop beating up my psyche for failing, and get back into my imagination where my creativity lives. And I think that’s my “light bulb” moment.
Thanks, Silver. There’s some good advice going on here this morning. I’m a Pacific Northwest person, and it has been gray for a long time up here. When we have a sunny day, I can really tell the difference in my energy level. Although writing isn’t high on my list when I spot the reclusive sun outside!
It’s very easy to be negative when you’re a creative individual. We always self-doubt. The key is to, through the doubt and gloomy, just keep moving forward. It’s not always easy, but some days are easier than others.
It’s so easy to develop a habit of being negative. I believe it’s sometimes easier than being positive. I fully expected a bunch of people to chime in on facebook, complaining about their deadlines and personal writing hell. Instead, David got there first and surprised me.
Sometimes we just have to smack ourselves and count our blessings.
But I’ve been there with a book, scared that I will never figure it out and blow my deadline. So I know how hard it is to think positive thoughts.
But a great blog reminding us to not go to the dark side.
It’s so easy to go to that dark side! I just spent over three hours trying to hit my 2K goal for the day, and I was pulling my hair out the whole time. But I didn’t let my mind go into the negative space. I ordered a piece of carrot cake and that helped.
With every book, I doubt myself anew. But, life before writing threw a series of roadblocks in front of me. I learned how to forge ahead and I try to tap that courageous spirit when my fears take root. My ex-husband asked me one day as I was scribbling madly on what turned out to be my first published novel, “What will you do if no publisher wants it?” I looked at him and said, “I’ll write another book.” So, dig in your heels and keep writing. Refuse…absolutely refuse…to let the fears get you down. Persistence wins the day.
LOL…I love this post because I’ve SO been there. Actually, it’s usually spending time with my NON-writing friends that reminds me how lucky I am to be a novelist and to work from home. When I hear about their traffic woes, their stress over dealing with a bad boss or coworker, or how unfulfilling their jobs are, it makes me want to RUN home and get back to my pages!
But don’t be so hard on yourself…some days writing is just a job, like every other job–we all know it’s not fun all the time. If it was, they wouldn’t have to pay us.
This one’s easy. I asked an author how she published so many books and wrote so much material in a year. She said she outlines (very detailed outline) every book first. For her this means she is literally just writing in a few sentences for flow, etc.
“You don’t free write?” I asked (visualize a stupid finger shoved up into my nose).
“Of course I free write,” she says. “But, only if I want the book to take me 2 years to write.
Umm…yeah, got it.
I still don’t outline very well. But, I’m working on it.
Great picture. The cat looks like he or she is frowning (and faced with a deadline).
Maybe you need some coffee or yoga before writing to jumpstart you and keep away negative thoughts. I never did like having to do projects or write a report in school. Those were “oh, no” moments.