No, I'm not throwing a tropical dance party to see how low you can go. Although with the winter I've been having I would love to. I'm talking about those times when you feel like you're going no where. The life of a writer seeking publication can go from very high to the depths of the deepest ocean. It's not easy and can be a completely frustrating process. The whole one step forward twenty steps backward thing. There are times when you are getting closer (creates smiles) and times when you fall hard and it takes you down so many levels you're not sure if you can climb out (frowny faces). There are times when you don't know where you stand. You celebrate other's victories but feel almost like a wannabe because you have nothing important to share. The whole left out feeling because you're not there yet. You yearn to be a part of something. Anything. To be included and respected. Yet all doors say closed.
All of this can eat at you. It does. As much as it sucks, it's the demon of doom if you let it continue and influence you. Now, I could sit here and tell you what to do, and I have in past posts. I've dealt with this for years. But the only way to cure it is to deal. There's no real answer other than to keep going. It's what I have to remind myself when the going gets tough. Sure, there are suggestions like working on something else, get outside, clean, blah, blah, blah. These are great and do help, but when you can't--getting rejections and simply waiting for an answer can mask over the creativity. These thoughts lead to even more character stabbing ideas like--maybe publication for my novels is not in my future and what am I doing? You have to counteract that no matter how much it weighs you down. Move forward and shut off everything around you. Work and work. Look for support. Use what you have and seek new. Keep going and never give up. I have to remind myself always.
So, move forward. It's something I'm going through and must push on regardless of my want to back away.
Where do you go to for support?
Are you seeking new betas and CPs? Where do you search?
Have a great day!! Happy writing!!
