Staying committed to your dreams is hard, especially when nothing is happening the way you think it should. Your process is too long. Feedback is mixed. LIFE constantly throws crap in your face. How the hell can you end up on top?
Yes, I’m speaking from experience. Hair-pulling, head-slamming experience. In case you missed it, I’ve been at this writing thing for a long time. I’ve been with you, Lurkdom, for already six and a half years. In that time, I’ve trunked a novel, witnessed Nemesis self-publish his epic fail, and met tons of fantastic, committed writers who have pushed their way through the doldrums I’m stuck in. I’ve also watched a few of them pack it in, not able to deal with the heartache and frustration anymore.
Even though the temptation to say “fuck it” and give in is so delicious, I haven’t folded. Seeing my works in print is my dream. I work on keeping that in the forefront while I continue to query, research, write, revise. Some days I love it. Some days I think that being a wino would be more productive. To be honest, most of the days right now fall in the latter category.
No more. Today is the day that I’m totally putting all of this back in my control. If I get a rejection, FINE. It’s a rejection. If I get negative feedback, FINE. It’s feedback. I’ll synthesize it, better my project based on it, and carry on.
You can do this too.
Don’t give up. Commit to your dream. I’m rooting for you.
YAY! I'm rooting for you too, Alicia!! GO BIG OR GO HOME. (I'm trying to think of other pithy sayings to lay on you. Most of them include swears. Thanks, Birbigs. :))
I once read an article by an author who'd finished the Iowa Writers' Program. He said that of all the people he'd graduated with, only a small number had gotten published, and that was because they never, ever gave up. Most of them had found publishing too hard and had thrown in the towel. I think the people who succeed are the ones who keep on chugging along no matter what.
You know I appreciate the sentiment. You are one of the greatest cheerleaders in my writing journey, BTW. Because you're stuck in the trenches right next to me!
That's really good to know, Anna. Thanks for that extra push!
Yeah! You've got this, Alicia!!! <3
I'm clawing my way out of the abyss right now, chickie, slowly but surely. If anyone, ANYONE deserves success, it's you. You've worked your arse off and have never given up, no matter what's been thrown at you, and I'm in awe of your discipline.
Never. EVER. Give. Up.