I’m late posting today because, in the face of Lori’s brutal honesty, I wasn’t sure what to say. Do I address it head on? Post something completely unrelated? Pretend I actually had my post ready ahead of time so I have an excuse to ignore the reality of what was posted yesterday?
So, obviously I decided not to go that route, eh?
Instead, I’ve decided to share with you a few truths about writers. Those of you who are one, or are married to one, will nod and agree, even if you do it when you think we aren’t looking. (yes, that means you, Superhubby)
The Universal truth about writers: We are insane.
For the most part, we’re insecure, self-doubting people with a tendency to worry a lot. And we dive into a profession where there is no subjective gradient. No measure of success or failure. Just a vague feeling that we can ‘make it’ in the business. We tend to be a little emotionally needy at times, and we’re almost always exhausted. Because writers run on caffeine and/or adrenaline prety much all the time.
Whoever it was who said it’s 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration (your numbers may vary) forgot to include where the motivation comes in. Because while some of us are lucky enough to have that friend/CP (and some are luckier still to have that agent/editor) who completely believes in us…someone who encourages us to keep up when otherwise, our perspiration doesn’t feel like enough to keep us going anymore. That one person we can call at any time and say “Why do we do this again?”
But just as important, and less appreciated, are The Naysayers. Not just the usual shmoes who ask why we do this, or why we think we can do it when millions of others can’t…but the ones who actually had us stuff our pencils and notebooks into our pantie-drawer for a while thinking “I really can’t do it.” Because those are the ones who push us even harder than our support network. Those are the ones we envision when we’re still awake at two in the morning, pounding out a scene and making it perfect. They’re the ones whose faces we envision when nothing else could push us to add another sentence, hell, another word. Not that we’d ever give them credit for it, but these people push us harder and farther than supportive people ever would.
I can honestly say I’ve been where Lori was yesterday. Four or five times a month at some points. Sometimes it was my friends who pulled me through. Sometimes it was imagining the look on That Naysayers face when s/he saw my book on the shelf. And sometimes it was just the fear that if I’m not a writer…I’m not much of anything at all.
August 24th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Y’all are just determined to make me cry, aren’t you? Very nice post, Dayna and this is the universal truth about writers:
We are insane
I don’t know that I even need to say anything else lol.
August 24th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
I can actually because I forgot this.
This really resonates with me. Some days I wake up knowing this is what I’m supposed to do with my life, ya know? And some days I think it’s just a good excuse to be crazy lol. Or like Crys was kind of enough to remind me of last night, I’m crazier when I’m not writing!
August 24th, 2007 at 11:46 pm
I actually did quit…twice. Both times for a year or so…but even then, I was writing ~ fanfic stuff just for myself. A writer is what I am…I can’t just NOT write.
August 25th, 2007 at 7:42 am
Amen Sistah. What can I say? Often, there are more reasons NOT to write than reasons to keep going.
Whether it’s financial, emotional or physical, those reasons not to keep going will be there no matter what I decide.
And Lori, I’d be crazier too if I didn’t write.
August 26th, 2007 at 7:10 am
we don’t need a crazier Lori, thanks
Fact is, I gave up too. For ten years. I may be crazy while writing, crazier still for thinking I might be one of those ‘one in million’ who ‘make it’ but I’m MUCH happier :)And really, if you’re going to be crazy anyway, you may’s well be happy-crazy
August 26th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Oh, Dayna. I have the same fear. I also have people tell me all the time that I’m not anything because I haven’t “made it” as a writer, don’t have a job and/or a successful career. Apparently, all the other stuff I do at home doesn’t count, nor do any of the things I achieved in the past. LOL
I have people tell me I suck as a writer, etc., etc.
You’re right. Sometimes these individuals are more motivating than supportive friends. LOL As insecure as we may be, we do tend to have that streak of stubborn human will that drives us on.