I tend to be an all-or-nothing kind of gal. When I exercise, I exercise. When I clean, I clean. And when I don’t, I don’t. So I’m either really in shape or really not, and my house is either spick and span or so chaotic that we have to slide the junk around to find a place to eat.
I have the same attitude toward my writing. (Perhaps you've noticed:) ) No matter how much water is in that glass--and it’s almost always the same amount--I manage to convince myself it’s either so half full it’s nearly overflowing or so half empty it barely holds a sip.
I fear I’ve fallen into one of those half-empty funks. I’m starting to think Bob’s never going to be Perfect or even good enough. And I’m starting to wonder what I’m going to do if this one doesn’t work out, either.
I’m not thinking about quitting or anything (sunk costs be hanged!), but I am reevaluating where I’m at. I'm not as good a writer as I want to be right now, and Bob isn't nearly as polished as I think he should be, but that's okay, I guess. As long as I keep at it, I'm sure I'll be better tomorrow than I am today. Bob, too. (But sometimes, I just wish everything were better now...)
P.S. Just so I don’t leave you on such a downer, here’s a clip I happened across that had me laughing so hard I cried. (I would have embedded it in the post, but College Humor disabled the embedding feature.) I loved BATMAN BEGINS and THE DARK KNIGHT, but these guys do have a point:)
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Half Full, Half Empty
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11 comments:
We are so alike. :)
I'm glad you're not giving up. It is so, so, so normal to have periodic doubts or fears that we'll NEVER FINISH.
Keep hanging in there!
I decided I would never finish my WIP and burned it today, and now I'm so so sorry. Ok, I didn't do that, but wouldn't that be awful? Hang in there. You are special and dog gone it, people like you.
Tell Bob I said hello!
You sound very similar to me. Keep at it, every day I revise, the book gets a tiny bit better. Eventually, it will be the best it can be and then that book is out of my hands--I can only work on the next one. Good luck w/ Bob! :)
What a lovely thing to say, Liesl. Although I'm pretty sure you're a better dancer than I am, Ms. MDT Major:)
Thanks, ali, for your encouragement.
Kelly, thank you for the compliments. And you better not burn that WIP, young lady - I'm still waiting to read it!
Kristi, I love this: "Eventually, it will be the best it can be and then that book is out of my hands."
Never give up. It's all a roller coaster ride. The upswing is coming soon. :)
Jemi, it is a roller coaster ride, isn't it? *fumbles with her seat belt* Phew. Thanks for reminding me to buckle up:)
I'm so with you! I tend to run at full steam towards whatever I'm focused on, while everything in the background slides. I've been down about my project as well, and I've realized that when that happens that it is time to step back and focus on something else for a bit, even if it's just a day or two. Then I feel fresh and ready to plunge in again, headfirst. I think it helps my project too--my characters probably like being left alone every once in a while. Could you imagine what that would be like having someone getting in your head and knowing your every thought? :)
Hang in there! You'll make it!
Good advice, folksinmt. But so much easier said than done:)
Oh come on! I'm 100% SURE that any of your novels- even the ones like Bob, are 100% better than mine!
Don't worry! :)
Thank you, Esther. Your comment made me laugh:)
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