Writing has been difficult lately. I am writing but the words I write are blah. I get all the way through a picture book draft, read it over, and know I can do better. I’m working on a novel and am completely in the weeds. I am not sure about the main character’s voice or what she wants, and I definitely don’t know most of what happens in this book.
I don't remember where, but I remember hearing before that each story you write teaches you how to (eventually) write...that one story. So while every writer gets better over time (muscle memory-style), we're also relearning so much from scratch each time, too. 😂 And, of course, the more honed your excellent taste in writing gets, the harder it is for you to exceed your own high standards. Le haaarrrrruuuumphhh. <--that's a fancy French-sounding sigh, said while smoking an imaginary cigarette, gazing into the distance and probably, like, squinting through thick lashes
I'm in the weeds on a couple of manuscripts, too. I'm learning what you already know, though, that I can't "make" things work by doing x, y and z. All I can do is to try. And try. And try again. It's like trying to build a house of cards with cards that you have to make yourself, with scissors and paper that you also have to make yourself. Some days, that's fun! Other days..."uh, boy, there's a lot that needs doing to even get started here."
Hugs, Julie! I love your honesty and grit. Still, even though I know you'll find your paths on all your stories, I also hope you catch a break on one sooner rather than later, because of course, that is more fun. :) And you deserve that.
I loved this whole post. It’s full of so many good reminders. This line stuck out to me because it is me often too: “I feel whiny...All this time! All this work!”
I think what’s so hard is that writers don’t get paid until the job is done. Yes it’s hard and work is hard, but we don’t get paid during a lot of the hard points. I think about when I worked in design. I got paid when I showed up and brainstormed a new site layout, when I did the design, when I saved out assets, when we pitched new clients or had phone calls. It was hard, but I was compensated for that hard work.
If we writers were paid a yearly salary, I think we’d all feel differently about the work. It would still be hard, but at least we’re bringing something in for our efforts! Of course, that’s not how the industry works, sadly.
All this to say, I relate! I am constantly scared about spending a year on a novel that doesn’t sell. It’s rough, and exhausting. 💗
Welcome to the Notion tribe! 😁 I was introduced to it by a business coach in 2020, and it's been my tool of choice for writing, organizing, and collaborating ever since.
And thank you for writing this. I've felt like I'm banging my head against a wall with writing lately despite knowing that it's something I have to put time into. Pieces I thought I had clear ideas and clear outlines for have started morphing under my fingers into entirely different beasts. I find myself feeling blitzed and tired and not wanting to write, longing for—as you said—those few precious times when everything seems to flow.
Comforting to know that, as writers, we're all in this together. 🙂
As usual, you nailed it, Julie.
I don't remember where, but I remember hearing before that each story you write teaches you how to (eventually) write...that one story. So while every writer gets better over time (muscle memory-style), we're also relearning so much from scratch each time, too. 😂 And, of course, the more honed your excellent taste in writing gets, the harder it is for you to exceed your own high standards. Le haaarrrrruuuumphhh. <--that's a fancy French-sounding sigh, said while smoking an imaginary cigarette, gazing into the distance and probably, like, squinting through thick lashes
I'm in the weeds on a couple of manuscripts, too. I'm learning what you already know, though, that I can't "make" things work by doing x, y and z. All I can do is to try. And try. And try again. It's like trying to build a house of cards with cards that you have to make yourself, with scissors and paper that you also have to make yourself. Some days, that's fun! Other days..."uh, boy, there's a lot that needs doing to even get started here."
Hugs, Julie! I love your honesty and grit. Still, even though I know you'll find your paths on all your stories, I also hope you catch a break on one sooner rather than later, because of course, that is more fun. :) And you deserve that.
I loved this whole post. It’s full of so many good reminders. This line stuck out to me because it is me often too: “I feel whiny...All this time! All this work!”
I think what’s so hard is that writers don’t get paid until the job is done. Yes it’s hard and work is hard, but we don’t get paid during a lot of the hard points. I think about when I worked in design. I got paid when I showed up and brainstormed a new site layout, when I did the design, when I saved out assets, when we pitched new clients or had phone calls. It was hard, but I was compensated for that hard work.
If we writers were paid a yearly salary, I think we’d all feel differently about the work. It would still be hard, but at least we’re bringing something in for our efforts! Of course, that’s not how the industry works, sadly.
All this to say, I relate! I am constantly scared about spending a year on a novel that doesn’t sell. It’s rough, and exhausting. 💗
Great points/message here, thanks for writing this!
Welcome to the Notion tribe! 😁 I was introduced to it by a business coach in 2020, and it's been my tool of choice for writing, organizing, and collaborating ever since.
And thank you for writing this. I've felt like I'm banging my head against a wall with writing lately despite knowing that it's something I have to put time into. Pieces I thought I had clear ideas and clear outlines for have started morphing under my fingers into entirely different beasts. I find myself feeling blitzed and tired and not wanting to write, longing for—as you said—those few precious times when everything seems to flow.
Comforting to know that, as writers, we're all in this together. 🙂