As the summer draws to a close, I find that my time is ever so slowly, becoming my own once more. The girls started school this week, and despite the nasty beating we are taking in the Northeast from Mother Nature, all is right in the world.
Okay, maybe not so much.
Despite having a bit more "me" time, I have noticed that I'm still falling behind on my TO DO lists. My critique lists on my favorite writing site keeps getting longer and the stories in my notebook (the ideas for stories, that is) become more and more plentiful. I enjoy supporting my fellow writers and I definitely love writing, yet the lists still grow. I am reading more books in general, which is great, but I still feel like I am behind in everything. I feel like I am letting people down that count on me--people that need my support and encouragement. Coupling this with the daily life pressures of a depreciation on my lovely house to the point I don't have enough equity anymore to refinance it and drop 2% on my interest rate, and the flurry of recent story rejections... I am one depressed little puppy lately.
I know we all have funks and issues that take us from writing and the writing community sometimes, and I am sure I am being far too hard on myself, but it got me thinking.
What do you do to keep yourself focused and on track? What cheers you up when life is kicking your ass? What inspires you to stay with it and keep on trucking?
Inquiring minds -- like me -- are dying to know. And, I could really use some ideas.
Remember how many rejection slips Stephen King accumulated on his way to becoming "Stephen King." And remember how encouraging he thought it was just to get feedback on something an editor rejected. If an editor gives you constructive criticism in his/her rejection letter, then your writing is probably headed in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteJust keep trying. Every time you fall, get back up and try again. You only truly fail when stop getting back up.
Hope that helps.