"Get away from her, you bitch!" -Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) in Aliens
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I'm sitting here watching the movie Aliens. I've seen it a half dozen times and it still pulls me tense as a bow string. How does one kill aliens? If a whole team of trained soldiers can't do it, how could one person do it? And yet, Ripley does--more than once.
So how do I kill my gremlins? How do trained writers kill off those voices that tell them their writing is awful, and what are they thinking trying to get stuff published?
I try to focus on the fact that I write because I love to write, because I need to write in order to feel okay with my world. And I try hard to trust my writing group when they tell me my stuff is good. The requests for partials and fulls, the glowing report from the writing contest--it all helps. But the doubts, those little gremlins, still manage to find their way inside my barricade. I need some heavy artillery.
What else can I use? Anyone got any tried and true ways to obliterate those hideous writing monsters? Right now Ripley is roasting aliens with a flame thrower. Maybe I should try that.
So how do I kill my gremlins? How do trained writers kill off those voices that tell them their writing is awful, and what are they thinking trying to get stuff published?
I try to focus on the fact that I write because I love to write, because I need to write in order to feel okay with my world. And I try hard to trust my writing group when they tell me my stuff is good. The requests for partials and fulls, the glowing report from the writing contest--it all helps. But the doubts, those little gremlins, still manage to find their way inside my barricade. I need some heavy artillery.
What else can I use? Anyone got any tried and true ways to obliterate those hideous writing monsters? Right now Ripley is roasting aliens with a flame thrower. Maybe I should try that.
9 comments:
Sarah;
I feel you pain! I get in the same place. One publication I write for has only used two of my pieces last year. I used to sell them 12-20 pieces a year. I ponder; Has my writing changed? The publication changed? My subject too lomited or the same. I'm on a habitat kick right now.
This week I got an idea for a compilation of articles and reflections on how I became and developed into a fisherman. It's been a fascinating journey for me that I hope is not complete yet. Would anyone read it? Is it unique to anyone else's development? I know I have a different attitude than most guys; I love the wildflowers, smells, textures of stream banks, the chance encounter with some critter, and all things that have nothing to do with catching fish. Will it resonate with anyone? Maybe just something to leave my kids.
I'm struggling lately. Hang in there--at least you're writing.
Larry,
I think you might find more fishermen than you think enjoy all aspects of fishing. I know my husband does.
But maybe right now you need to write it just because. Think of it as a legacy--or maybe just a tribute to all that influenced your journey. And maybe someday it will influence someone else's journey.
Come to Khardomah. Surround yourself with other writers. I'm looking forward to the energy boost.
Hi Sarah, Hi Larry.
Sarah, have you tried praying the doubts away? Just pray for protection, or the strength you need or whatever pops into your head. I'm betting it will help.
Larry, your fishing journey, especially your knowledge of plants and flowers, is a rich knowledge that needs to be written. The world needs it. As far as why the other publication hasn't bought your stuff this past year, you need to ask them what's changed. It might not have anything to do with you and it might prompt a second look at work you've already done.
Love to you both. I'm in an emotional funk (grieving losses) so not writing anything much but work stuff, but that's OK for now.
Hey Sarah, why don't you draw your gremlins and then kill 'em off one by one?
Deborah
Deborah,
I like your ideas and will give them a try. It could be a lot of fun to draw/paint the gremlins. Hmmm, wonder what their faces would look like--or should I say who....
Take care of yourself. Sorry to hear about the emotional funk. Those black dots in likfe sure can make you lose a turn--or more.
I look forward to seeing you at the end of February.
I've been there. At one of my readings last year I was in the middle of reading a scene and the thought occurred to me: "This isn't very good. It could be much better..."
AND THAT WAS AT A READING!!!! A bunch of people had come to hear me. And I still had those thoughts. Yeesh.
I think about the scene in "A Beautiful Mind" when the crazy protagonist is asked, after receiving his Pulitzer, "Do you still hear the voices?"
He says yes he does. He just no longer engages with them.
Mike,
I like that--don't engage the voices. Maybe in the end, that's the difference between the successful writer and the unsuccessful writer. Not whether they have self-doubts, but whether they choose to believe them and engage them.
All;
I'll be at Khardoma. I'm really looking forward to it. It's been a long time since I've seen all of you. I'll be commuting and since I don't have a lap-top, I'll be doing a lot of journal type writing and then put it on the computer when I get home each night. See you all soon.
Hey Larry!
Glad to hear you'll be at Khardomah! I'm commuting too--it's not quite as fun, but it sure beats nothing.
I'll be at Khar, too. Been a couple of years. And I'm meeting Lisa Preston in Ionia this Thurs for dinner -- a halfway point between Lansing and GR -- so it will be good to catch up with her, too. Look forward to seeing y'all.
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