Why do I write, you ask? I've often asked myself that very same question. The other day when I was scrolling down my Facebook newsfeed, I came across a post by a fellow author. She had announced that she was no longer going to write because she felt as though her career was going nowhere. I cannot begin to tell you how sad that made me feel, However, I must confess, I've felt that same sense of utter failure before myself.
Writing is one of the most difficult things I've ever done. You spend long hours sitting at your computer, creating what you hope will be the next great masterpiece. You then spend endless hours of rewriting, editing and rewriting some more before you feel it's ready for the REAL editor. Of course, while the Editor has your manuscript, the story haunts your mind with questions of the plot twists you should have added or deleted before handing it over to someone else. No, writing is not for the weak of heart.
I know that each Author has their own stories of mistakes they've made. We just need to realize that anything stupid we may have done will not be the death-nail for our writing careers unless we allow it. When I had my meltdown over a huge mistake I made early in my writing career, my husband gave me to best advice. He said to go on the reviews of a few famous authors and read their 1-star reviews. He said if they can survive their mistakes, then so can I. You know something, he was right.
I now live by the motto... My writing career is going to have highs and lows. I will learn from the lows and enjoy the highs. So, whenever I feel like the publishing world has kicked me in the teeth, just brush it off and soldier on!
I now write for my MY enjoyment, and should others discover my books and enjoy them as well then that's just the icing on the cake. If the day ever comes where my books are read by millions I'll enjoy the ride. However, if my books are only read by a few I'll still enjoy the ride. You see writing is my personal enjoyment. I love developing characters that come to life on the pages. I also love to invoke a wide range of emotions on the pages of my books. I guess you can say that writing is my drug of choice.
So, back to where I started this post. Several people commented on the Author's Facebook post, trying to convince her not to give up. I, for one, wish she just takes a little time off to recoup and try to remember what she LOVES about writing. If her only goal was to be picked up by a publishing company and become a famous author then maybe her decision was the correct one. However, if she started writing for the LOVE of writing then her decision should be easy. Just write and not worry about anything else.
If you want to know more of what I do, I invite you to go to my website.
Writing is one of the most difficult things I've ever done. You spend long hours sitting at your computer, creating what you hope will be the next great masterpiece. You then spend endless hours of rewriting, editing and rewriting some more before you feel it's ready for the REAL editor. Of course, while the Editor has your manuscript, the story haunts your mind with questions of the plot twists you should have added or deleted before handing it over to someone else. No, writing is not for the weak of heart.
I know that each Author has their own stories of mistakes they've made. We just need to realize that anything stupid we may have done will not be the death-nail for our writing careers unless we allow it. When I had my meltdown over a huge mistake I made early in my writing career, my husband gave me to best advice. He said to go on the reviews of a few famous authors and read their 1-star reviews. He said if they can survive their mistakes, then so can I. You know something, he was right.
I now live by the motto... My writing career is going to have highs and lows. I will learn from the lows and enjoy the highs. So, whenever I feel like the publishing world has kicked me in the teeth, just brush it off and soldier on!
I now write for my MY enjoyment, and should others discover my books and enjoy them as well then that's just the icing on the cake. If the day ever comes where my books are read by millions I'll enjoy the ride. However, if my books are only read by a few I'll still enjoy the ride. You see writing is my personal enjoyment. I love developing characters that come to life on the pages. I also love to invoke a wide range of emotions on the pages of my books. I guess you can say that writing is my drug of choice.
So, back to where I started this post. Several people commented on the Author's Facebook post, trying to convince her not to give up. I, for one, wish she just takes a little time off to recoup and try to remember what she LOVES about writing. If her only goal was to be picked up by a publishing company and become a famous author then maybe her decision was the correct one. However, if she started writing for the LOVE of writing then her decision should be easy. Just write and not worry about anything else.
If you want to know more of what I do, I invite you to go to my website.
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