Ever had a day in your writing world that makes you feel like walking away, never to return? We've all experienced those times when nothing goes right and we become frustrated and dejected, maybe even angry.
Negative thoughts rumble through our minds. Why did I ever think I could write? Who is going to read this drivel of mine? Will I ever get an acceptance after submitting? Why won't this story work right? And many more.
Before the day is over, we decide we are quitting. No more struggling along our writing journey. No more searching for ideas and inspiration to write. No more getting stalled in the middle of a story. No more searching for markets. No more worrying that what I write is drivel. No more...
The list can go on and on. Days like those cited above are the times when we are on the verge of quitting this writing game. If it's happened to you, you are not alone. When things go right, we're happy to be a writer, but when they don't, why not just give up?
Our poster today gives us some good advice to use when we are in that 'I quit' mode. It says 'When you feel like quitting, think about why you started.' That's a WOW!
Step away from writing for a few days and give thought to the reasons you started writing. Maybe it was only months ago, more likely years. Think about what led you to the writing world, what excited you about the craft, what made you want to continue. What, or who, inspired you? Why were you willing to give up part of your social life to write?
After some thinking time, make a list of the positives and negatives of your writing life, or maybe title your list Pros and Cons of My Writing World. I hope the positive, or pro, side is the longer list.
Maybe your memories of why you started writing in the first place will inspire you to keep going. Attitude plays a role here, too. If you are willing to work on the problem areas with the thought that things will improve, you're halfway there. If you dwell on the dark areas, you could sink deeper.
Don't only consider the way you started writing, but also where you want to go. To get there, you'll need to work on the areas that have been problems for you. They aren't going to magically correct themselves. You are the one who has to do that. When we start writing, we're a little scared, but also excited. Recapture some of that excitement and keep moving ahead.
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