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Thursday, January 14, 2016

HOW TO KEEP ON WITH YOUR NOVEL


HAS IT ALL CAUGHT UP WITH YOU?


You're in good company:


Mark Twain

 

Mark Twain's brilliant authorship of American classics such as Huckleberry Finn 


might have had its roots in his tendency to depression. 


But this famous depressed writer also lived with a lot of family drama 


that could have contributed to his stress
 and depression. 

Depression's role with creative writing will also be a function of the individual writers,


 their personal history, their circumstances, and the nature of their depressions.

Stephen King

 

Stephen King, a modern master of suspense and terror, has quite a body of work to his name. 


Yet his fame and talent didn't forestall the devastating effects of the drugs and alcohol 


he allegedly had been using to cope with ongoing unhappiness.

Substance abuse and alcohol use 


often play roles as people struggling with depression attempt to self-medicate. 


During those years, this famous depressed writer also produced some of his best-known works, such as The Shining, Pet Cematary, and Carrie.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

 

F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda were known for their glamorous and tumultuous lifestyle, 


full of wild parties, travel, and larger-than-life characters. 

The Great Gatsby remains his best-known work, 


but other novels such as The Beautiful and the Damned detail a lot of the same ground. 


Their glittering life had a dark side, punctuated by alcoholism and depression for both of them, 


and their legacy includes being famous depressed writers. 

HOW DO YOU KEEP ON WRITING DESPITE FEAR, DOUBT, & SELF-CRITICISM?

1.) ASK YOURSELF WHAT YOU WOULD DO IF YOU'RE WEREN'T AFRAID OR DOUBTFUL.

The mere act of doing usually makes the fear recede in just a few minutes.” 


Pretend, just for a moment, that rejection or failure isn’t the end of life as you know it.

2.) STOP INDULGING YOUR FEARS, DISCOURAGEMENTS, REJECTIONS, & DASHED DREAMS.

Much as we’re driven to write, we feel we must be in the mood – 


as if the clouds should part, the sun should shine and every possible interruption should be silenced

.
None of that matters. Write anyway. 

Don’t think about how you feel or if it’s a perfect time to write 

or that you have a thousand other things to do. 


Write anyway. 


You have nothing to share and nothing to sell if there are no words on the page.


3.) REMEMBER THAT REJECTION ISN'T NECESSARILY ABOUT YOUR WRITING. 

You have to be totally dedicated to your writing. 


Forget about rejections – they’re a mandatory part of any career. 

A writer writes. 

If you feel you’ll keep writing even if you never get published, then you’re a real writer.

The markets want they want.  


Tastes will change.  You will grow as a writer if you do not give up.

4.) SEE PAST YOUR EXCUSES TO YOUR REAL FEARS

Writers need to look at their fears directly.


 Recognize them for what they are, 


and be honest with yourself about why you’re not moving forward with your writing goals.

This can be difficult because we give excuses rather than facing our fears.

5.) SET SMALL GOALS

Long-term goals are great for inspiration, but keep a list of small, attainable goals, too, 


and allow yourself to feel proud when you achieve them. 

Reward yourself for finishing a chapter or short story. 

Recognize that sending a few query letters to agents takes time, thought, and effort, 


and don’t discount the success.

7 comments:

  1. Hi Roland ... it's writing, creating, engaging and being sensible ... so the excesses don't take over ... better get to it! Cheers Hilary

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  2. I've wondered where many get their creativity. I know mine comes from a dark place. Not that I have such a terrible sad life. I've wondered if some where born of that magical spring of creativity where there is no sadness, disappointment involved.

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    Replies
    1. Grief is relative, different yet the same, as Mark Twain wrote: "Nothing that grieves us can be called little: By the eternal laws of proportion a child's loss of a doll and a king's loss of a crown are events of the same size."

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  3. Very motivating post, Roland. You know my feelings about "Writers write," but otherwise it's spot on. :)

    I've often wondered if bouts of the blues go hand in hand with being a creative soul.

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    Replies
    1. I got "Writers Write" from Hemingway, and it works for me. We must each go our own path in pursuit of our dreams, right?

      Those who see deeply, hurt deeply as well, so I believe you are right. :-)

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  4. Yes! Fight through it. Keep writing. Submit. You can't stop the fear, but you can ignore it, push past it.

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