Confession: I’ve known for a long time that I was a dabbler. Dabbling is safe. Especially for people who like to write. It means writing, revising, sending your things off then waiting for a reply. During the wait, I’d dabble some more, jot down a massive number of ideas, get excited, and tackle another project. But every time a rejection popped up in my inbox, it knocked the breath right out of me. *Sigh*
Perfect timing for disappointment and despair to jet in. All my enthusiasm sucked right out my head and I gave in to self pity.
What a useless emotion.
It took me a WHILE to figure out that pity and publishing DO NOT make good buddies.
I decided to get myself in writing shape. I tossed out time-consuming activities and replaced them with things that will beef up my writing time. Now, while most of the world heads to the tv to watch their favorite character, I hug my husband and hurry to the office where I get to create my own character. While the world watches people deal with the events on the news, I get to create my own solution to the problems in my story. There’s a sense of balance and gratification in that. *grin*
I discovered a precious thing. I have a cheering squad! As I settle in and begin typing, one by one, all my critters wander back to the office with me. Where Molly, my little cocker/ golden retriever writing buddy used to lay, is Ruby – a small mixture who resembles a possum. Maybelline and Bear are by the door and at least one of the cats usually sprawls on top of my honkin’ big desk. These animals are my muses, my sounding boards, and my faithful cheering squad. Everybody needs a cheering squad that drools and sheds.
Point is … if you want to write for publication, then write, don’t dabble. Time is too precious. I’ve experienced all the commas, colons, periods, and hyphens life has to offer me. I’m ready for an honest-to-goodness exclamation point in my life! Aren’t you?Confession: I’ve known for a long time that I was a dabbler. Dabbling is safe. Especially for people who like to write. It means writing, revising, sending your things off then waiting for a reply. During the wait, I’d dabble some more, jot down a massive number of ideas, get excited, and tackle another project. But every time a rejection popped up in my inbox, it knocked the breath right out of me. *Sigh*
Perfect timing for disappointment and despair to jet in. All my enthusiasm sucked right out my head and I gave in to self pity.
What a useless emotion.
It took me a WHILE to figure out that pity and publishing DO NOT make good buddies.
I decided to get myself in writing shape. I tossed out time-consuming activities and replaced them with things that will beef up my writing time. Now, while most of the world heads to the tv to watch their favorite character, I hug my husband and hurry to the office where I get to create my own character. While the world watches people deal with the events on the news, I get to create my own solution to the problems in my story. There’s a sense of balance and gratification in that. *grin*
I discovered a precious thing. I have a cheering squad! As I settle in and begin typing, one by one, all my critters wander back to the office with me. Where Molly, my little cocker/ golden retriever writing buddy used to lay, is Ruby – a small mixture who resembles a possum. Maybelline and Bear are by the door and at least one of the cats usually sprawls on top of my honkin’ big desk. These animals are my muses, my sounding boards, and my faithful cheering squad. Everybody needs a cheering squad that drools and sheds.
Point is … if you want to write for publication, then write, don’t dabble. Time is too precious. I’ve experienced all the commas, colons, periods, and hyphens life has to offer me. I’m ready for an honest-to-goodness exclamation point in my life! Aren’t you?
The Secret to Writing:
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