Writers--Step Off the Worry Wagon

 

A lot of writers are also worriers. Hmm, is 'worriers' an actual word? Yes, it is. A worrier is someone who spends a great deal of time thinking about problems, what has already occurred, and what might happen later. Worry causes anxiety and apprehension. It gives us all kinds of physical symptoms and emotional upheaval. It should be avoided!

It should be avoided. Sounds so easy, doesn't it? Our poster today tells us that worry is a waste of time, doesn't change a thing, and steals your joy. It also keeps you busy doing nothing. Good points. It's easy to read those words, but putting them into practice is another thing altogether. 

When you make a submission to a publication, do you spend the days waiting for word from the editor concerned about your chances? Do you race to the computer every morning to see if you have an email from the editor? Do you fret that maybe you should have made one more editing before you sent it in? Stop that kind of worry. Your story or essay or poem has been sent. The other end is completely out of your hands. Worrying is useless. All it does is upset you. The fact is that you are either going to get a rejection or an acceptance. Nothing you do now will change that.

Writers worry that they don't have what it takes to get published. Worrying isn't going to make one twit of difference. What it takes to become a published writer is a great deal of effort on your part. And time. And learning as you go. 

Are you in a writing group and worry that you don't measure up to the status of the other writers? Stop worrying and start learning from them. Make an assessment of those who are successful. Figure out what it is that makes them a published writer, then work towards the same for yourself. If the group critiques each other's submissions, read all the critiques, not just the ones for your own writing. Reading those critiques is worth a great deal. It's a perfect gift to you to be able to learn from other writers. I'm a seasoned writer, but I still read the critiques of the writers in my online group, and I still find something worth noting and continue to learn. Quit worrying and start learning.

It's easy for me to tell you to stop worrying, but not a sure thing for you to throw off the mantle of concern like flicking a fly from your arm. You're going to have to do a lot of self-chastisement. When you start the worry process, take a step back and think about the situation. Ask yourself if your worry is worthwhile. Will it change the situation? In most cases, it probably won't make a difference. 

Step off the worry wagon and spend your time in becoming a better and stronger writer.