Writers and Attitude

 

Ever heard someone say "Wow! Does she have an attitude!" They don't mean it in a complimentary way. Maybe we should define  the word. Attitude is a point of view, or your frame of mind. How you view various parts of your life is quite important. Once again, you can be on either the positive or negative side. 

Writers need to strive for the postive side. Sadly, there are many writers who seem to nurture a negative attitude towards their writing life. Why? Maybe receiving multiple rejections from publications where you submitted your writing has created that attitude. Let's face it. Those rejections don't lift us up, but it's up to us to make sure they don't drag us down into an abyss too deep for climbing back to a better thought process.

Rejections aren't the only thing that foster that negative side. When we have a great story in our mind, then write the first draft and are sorely disappointed that it didn't come out the way we'd envisioned, we're deflated. Rewrite the draft and it still doesn't sing to us, and we fall deeper into the rabbit hole. Here's where a good dose of determination comes into play. Don't give up. Keep working on the story that you thought about in your mind.

You can see how easily we can develop a poor attitude about our writing. It's quite simple to become a self-pity writer. Most likely, it is easier to join this parade than it is to march in one that is prepared to aim at a positive attitude. Rejections? Tell yourseld that you can submit to another publication, then do it. Don't merely think about it. Take a hard look at your submission. Are there places that can be revised? 

What else can you do to keep a good attitude regarding your writing life? Make some goals and keep them in mind as a target you're aiming for. Make a few and write each one on an index card or small piece of paper, then put them in plain sight. Somewhere in the area where you write is the best spot. Read them, believe them, and work towards them. 

Your attitude is very personal to you. If it falls into the negative category, I can't change it for you. The lady down the street cannot do it. Nor can the people in your writing group. Oh sure, others can help guide you, but the actual feat of moving from the negative to the positive outlook on your writing world is up to you. The very first step is the desire to do so. 

Making big changes in our lives is seldom an overnight success story. These things take time, and we go one step, then another and another.