Brain is frazzled.
That, and I may be just a little lazy.
I've also been collecting rejection letters for Beyond the Horizon. Yeah!
On a brighter note, I believe I've figured out the beginning scene of my WIP. At least for now. I was also struggling with a plot twist. Should I kill him or not? Because I couldn't make up my mind and I was using it as an excuse not to write, I've decided to start a re-write and see where it takes me. If I end up killing him again, so be it. Sorry Charlie.
I realize in the great play that is life, my problems don't add up to a hill of beans. (Quick, what movie am I paraphrasing?)
They are my problems and I'm going to embrace them for a while. At least until I strangle the life out of them.
Are you struggling with anything right now? Work or writing? Relationships? Air your complaints here. I promise I won't judge.
The problem as I see it, is us. We begin writing and soon the project is real and alive and OURS. When someone rejects it is as though they have turned down our first born child for a part in the school play. I try to keep it all in perspective. Each publisher has a certain like. Hitting that narrow field is almost not possible. These stories were rejected over a dozen times each and some as many as 600. To Kill a Mockingbird, Gone With the Wind, Moby Dick, The Help, Harry Potter, Anne of Greene Gables, and the list goes on. So, my dear Wanda, you are in excellent company. Put your focus back on your writing and be grateful you have the ability. It will all come together if you snap your red ruby slippers together and turn around quickly three times and say, "I want to be published. I want to be published."
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wise words friend!
DeleteCasablanca, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteMy current struggle is keeping negativity from taking over during revisions. (Okay, today my problem is getting everything ready for a birthday party and dinner with 20 kids and lots more adults, but that problem will be over in a couple of days.) I've been asking the harshest, most thorough critiquers I can find to help me find everything we can that could be better in my manuscript. Day after day, I'm focusing on the problems and weak spots. That's a lot of negative input, and it's getting to me. Good thing I've had a lot of positive feedback too, or I'd be tempted to declare the whole thing hopeless and throw in the towel! I know better, though. It's all part of the process--at least when you're a perfectionist.
Good job keeping things in perspective. Rejections don't mean your work isn't fantastic or that it won't find a home somewhere else. Keep submitting!
Ding, Ding, Ding. Yes it is Casablanca. Revision is hard. Just remember you can revise till you're blue in the face. At some point you have to let it go.
DeleteI know. Cecily White says I'm there with the first two chapters. I think she's ALMOST right. Just a couple more tweaks. The rest of the book, however . . . .
DeleteWhat am I dealing with? Don't get me started. Okay.. maybe a couple. One - this weather! I know I don't have NEAR the issues with rain others have dealt with the past week and I am blessed. I just hate falling behind in my work because I have to unplug my system while it storms. My other issue is listening to other people complain about our city government without bothering to voice their opinion to the people they are complaining about.
DeleteThere... you said I could vent LOL. Now I'm back to work before the next thunderstorm rolls in.
Oh and S.D.... You are an AMAZING writer. If we didn't think so, we wouldn't be pulling for you. Just know you can over-think things. If Cecily gives your work her stamp of approval you are in good hands! Hugs!
The weather is getting on my nerves also. I feel like I've moved to Seattle.
DeleteRight now I'm just feeling overwhelmed. I have too much to do. Too many directions I want to go with projects. Focus isn't always my strong suit. It's my own fault, I dug this hole. I can get myself out of it. Hang in there, Wanda. I'm fighting the battle right there beside ya.
ReplyDeleteSara, I feel your pain. Focus is not my problem though, it's procrastination.
DeleteRevision, nasty old word. I just got my edit back from Wanda Sue Parrott and have some nips to nip and some tucks to tuck. My goal is to finish it--DEATH OF BIGFOOT--for publishing on Amazon by the end of this month.
ReplyDeleteAs to killing your character, maybe you really want to kill that computer. Why not write a tale doing so and then see what happens when you go back to your WIP?
When you have a chance to kill off a character, kill them off. That's my rule.
ReplyDeleteStill haven't decided. I'm leaning toward not because I think there could be more conflict with the MMC if this guy lives. But, I get what you say.
Delete