May Theme: WHEN YOU'RE GOING THROUGH HELL...


...KEEP GOING.
- Winston Churchill

When I think about tough times I've had as a writer, they often have to do with 1) feeling like I don't have enough time, or, when waiting and waiting and waiting, too much time, 2) struggling to let go of things beyond my control and 3) feeling overwhelmed when I am unable to make the words on the page match the vision in my head.

I'm experiencing #3 right now. I've been working on this book for two and a half years. It's gone through so so many incarnations, and I still lovelovelove the concept, but just haven't gotten the manuscript to the place it needs to be.

So many times I've wanted to give up. And, you know, sometimes giving up is a way to move on. But I know in my heart, this is not one of those times. I've got to tell this story. And in order to do that, I need to give myself time to grow into it.

So I'm trudging through. Taking tiny steps. Meditating. Napping. Lunching outside. Looking at the sky. Quilting. Going for a swim. Talking to 3 year olds. Talking to 93 year olds. Watching ants. Reading. Being very still. Listening.

The key for me is to DO. No wallowing allowed. Keep moving forward. And eventually, eventually I will find myself on the other side.

*photo courtesy of my amazingly talented baby brother MicaJon Dykes.

Comments

  1. Thanks for the encouraging post! I am also experiencing #3. I'm finding that it's important for me to appreciate what I AM managing to accomplish, no matter how tiny the step.

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    1. Andrea, YES. We are so hard on ourselves. Good to recognize progress. Rooting for you!!

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  2. That's a great post, my current WIP is my first and I'm writing it for 5 YEARS! Now I'm almost there Finally but I keep asking myself people are done with this concept why waist your time and finish the darn thing? It's hard, but I have this feeling it's not a book to give up on, I hope I'm right :)

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    1. I feel like if you can't give it up, you shouldn't. Not that that guarantees it will ever be worth of publication, but it's important on a very personal level. Wishing you all the best as you continue your journey!

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  3. xo
    Talk to me, sister! We speak the same language.

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    1. Indeed we do, Ms. Rose. SO looking forward to more Caroline books!! xo

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  4. Yup. I have more than one manuscript that needs some serious attention, but I don't feel prepared to tackle them yet.
    Someday I'll figure it out... I hope.

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  5. Thanks for this. I have a couple of half-finished manuscripts I'm not ready to give up on, but I'm also not ready to finish. I'm not the writer I need to be yet.

    Good to know other writers experience this, and to read about your patience with yourself and your process. There's a lesson in there for me, too.

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    1. "I'm not the writer I need to be yet." EXACTLY. I am more patient on some days than others. Good luck as you continue your journey!

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  6. I get it. Truly. Good luck getting though this and especially good that you know you will.

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  7. I am myself working on a book I first drafted about ten years ago...I've got my fingers crossed that this time, all the pieces will finally fall where they belong...

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