“The hardest
part of being a writer is not getting your commas in the right place but
getting your head in the right place. Where help is really needed is in the
area of countering anxiety, frustration, and despair.”
— Ralph
Keyes, The Writer’s Book of Hope
 |
| Ok! I'm officially lost! |
I’ve been
messaging back and forth with a couple of my writer friends this past week and
if there is one statement that describes us, it’s Ralph Keyes’ above quote.
Each of us are
in different places in life: friend one is married and trying to get her freelance
writing business off the ground while pursuing her passion of creative writing.
Friend two just
finished her Masters program and beyond looking towards what’s next in her
life, is trying to start writing again but doesn’t quite know where to begin.
And me, I’ve
come to the realization that writing a story I’m passionate about becomes something
much more challenging when I know there’s an editor waiting for it. The clock
is ticking and I find myself more distracted than ever with everything life has
decided to throw at me at once.
Though currently
boxed up, I have book after book that helps with the edit process, gives tips
on making your writing POP, and offers more prompts to get your creative
thoughts moving at 3AM than I know what to do with. Each is an invaluable resource, but there are days when all
that advice can just make you feel more overwhelmed, more frustrated, and more
desperate.
In speaking with
my friends this week, I’ve been reminded that as amazing as they are, How-To
books don’t always hold all the answers. When it comes to the area of
countering anxiety, frustration, and despair it takes a real person who is
walking that same road right alongside you to lift you up and get you moving
in the right direction again.
Who’s your
companion? And what’s the best advice you’ve ever received (or given) when
you’ve needed to get your head in the right place?
I have been coming to that realization myself this week. How-to books are amazing...but even they can drag you down.
ReplyDeleteEven just talking to someone else who is walking the same path can be a relief.
Best advice I've received? "Writing isn't a thing that likes to torture you. It's you. If you write, you get results. If you don't, you have nothing. Without you, the writing doesn't exist." From my hubby. :) Somehow, it challenges me to write every time I think of it.
You have a very wise husband, Jess! I'll have to remember that bit of advice in the future!
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