Ups and Downs

I told you about my friend who's contemplating quitting writing. That is still in the back of her mind, but today she's feeling better and looking at subbing to other agents and publishers. Yes, she may have to get a day job, but the writing will not stop.

That is the way of this business. A week ago, I was struggling to write a sentence. Last night, I wrote ten pages. Like everything else in life, writing has its ups and downs. Unfortunately, it often seems as though there are more downs than ups. This is a business of rejection. We write what we think is a wonderful story, clean it up, send it out with high hopes - and get rejected. Often multiple times.

Yes, I know there are those people out there who get snatched up with their first novel on their first try. While I congratulate them, I also envy them - and feel sorry for them in a way. Whether their first book does good or not doesn't matter. What matters is the second book. Maybe they have trouble writing it. Or maybe they have trouble selling it. By reaching the top of their game on the first try, they may take an even steeper tumble the second time around. (Or they may not - those people just frustrate me and spur me on). They have not learned the hard part of this business - sticking with it through the bad times. Keeping going in the face of rejections. Surviving this roller coaster ride that is the writing business.

To the rest of us who do struggle daily to make it to the top, know that you are not alone. There are many of us here on this slippery slope to success to toss you a rope when you need it. Yes, writing is a solitary endeavor - but making it to the top is better if you make friends along the way.

Today's thought: "Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." - William James

Today's teaser: Symbols or props can be important in a story. Where would we be without the light saber in Star Wars? Holmes' pipe or Mary Poppins' umbrella? Do you have any symbolic props in your stories? Can you add them?