IWSG: Picking up the Breadcrumbs
My mind went running in so many directions for this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group , but in the end, I think I'll piggyback on Crystal Collier's post about keeping the faith, which I'm so happy I didn't miss (thanks to D.L.'s Blog Blitz). You can go ahead and read that first. I'll wait.
Oh good, you came back. :) You see, I live my life based on the cues I get along the way. I tend to not ask a lot of questions when making life choices; a gut instinct is generally good enough for me. The danger in living on instinct, however, is that the Good Guy isn't the only one trying to get through to me. Lesser forces are whispering to us all. the. time. and it's often difficult to know the difference.
Sometimes I go skipping off down the wrong path, at times get pretty far along it, but at some point I've always hit a wall of resistance---and it grows barbs when I try smashing through it. That's how I know I've been listening to the wrong voice. So I lick my wounds and abort the mission. And the thing is...I've been waiting to crash into the wall on this writing thing. I feel like I almost want it to happen.
Because what am I doing? What in the hell am I doing spending all this time writing and polishing and marketing and dreaming and failing and trying and putting myself out there and failing again?? Why don't I just chuck it all and give more of that time to my kids, to my friends, to my day job, to my poor, poor garden and house?
I know what you're thinking---the failing, or at least what I perceive as failing (*ahem* sucky-ass Amazon sales), is the wall. Maybe my lack of topping the charts is telling me that I'm lost in Wonderland and better get back to Reality pronto. But here's the other thing...every time I start thinking this way, I'm given a breadcrumb, a little nugget of encouragement to let me know that I'm on the right path and am meant to stay on it. These nuggets come in the form of an unexpected and lovely review, an unsolicited and genuine compliment from someone who I didn't even know was reading what I'd written. It comes in the form of being asked to speak as an author at local events---and people actually showing up to listen.
I just can't believe these bits of encouragement would come at the exact times that I need them if I was meant to abort this mission. So I won't. I guess I'll pick up these breadcrumbs when I get 'em and let them nourish me until...until I know not what. Just gotta have faith.
Does it ever feel that way to you---like just when you're ready to give up, you get a little nugget of encouragement that keeps you going?
Oh good, you came back. :) You see, I live my life based on the cues I get along the way. I tend to not ask a lot of questions when making life choices; a gut instinct is generally good enough for me. The danger in living on instinct, however, is that the Good Guy isn't the only one trying to get through to me. Lesser forces are whispering to us all. the. time. and it's often difficult to know the difference.
Sometimes I go skipping off down the wrong path, at times get pretty far along it, but at some point I've always hit a wall of resistance---and it grows barbs when I try smashing through it. That's how I know I've been listening to the wrong voice. So I lick my wounds and abort the mission. And the thing is...I've been waiting to crash into the wall on this writing thing. I feel like I almost want it to happen.
Because what am I doing? What in the hell am I doing spending all this time writing and polishing and marketing and dreaming and failing and trying and putting myself out there and failing again?? Why don't I just chuck it all and give more of that time to my kids, to my friends, to my day job, to my poor, poor garden and house?
I know what you're thinking---the failing, or at least what I perceive as failing (*ahem* sucky-ass Amazon sales), is the wall. Maybe my lack of topping the charts is telling me that I'm lost in Wonderland and better get back to Reality pronto. But here's the other thing...every time I start thinking this way, I'm given a breadcrumb, a little nugget of encouragement to let me know that I'm on the right path and am meant to stay on it. These nuggets come in the form of an unexpected and lovely review, an unsolicited and genuine compliment from someone who I didn't even know was reading what I'd written. It comes in the form of being asked to speak as an author at local events---and people actually showing up to listen.
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| Click on the image if you'd like to see more from the event |
I just can't believe these bits of encouragement would come at the exact times that I need them if I was meant to abort this mission. So I won't. I guess I'll pick up these breadcrumbs when I get 'em and let them nourish me until...until I know not what. Just gotta have faith.
Does it ever feel that way to you---like just when you're ready to give up, you get a little nugget of encouragement that keeps you going?
Comments
If I know that my writing is connecting with just ONE person, then I'm a "success" as a writer, at least at some level.
Just to have that little bit of validation and support, especially when it's given freely and unexpectedly, makes all the thankless hours and frustrations and rejections worth it.
So hang in there!
(And awesome reading event pictures -- it looks like it was a lot of fun!)
LG Smith linked to a great, great article about redefining success today. I highly recommend her post (http://bardsandprophets.blogspot.com/2013/11/insecure-writers-grandmothering-social.html) AND the article (http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20131102024414-75054000-are-you-destined-for-success)
Hang in there!
But whenever I start really getting down about my ability to get to that next level, something good comes along and helps me keep my head up a little bit longer.
Don't sweat the percentages, keep writing, Nicki.
But those wonders of delight through a comment or review just make us smile and keep us on our journey ..
Good for you - and so pleased your breadcrumbs are adding up .. go for the whole loaf .. cheers Hilary
Yeah, it's freaking hard, isn't it? That's why not everyone is tough enough to be a writer for the long haul. But you are. You just gotta recalibrate sometimes and remind yourself why you do it. :))
Also, the growing barbs bit made me chuckle. :)
Sucky-ass sales - that made me chuckle.
Love,
Janie
Oh! And I finished Hans and Greta. I really enjoyed it!
My Amazon sales have gotten pretty sucky lately, too, but hey! There's always tomorrow!
Don't give up, Nicki. You've got talent out the wazoo, and don't you forget it.
.......dhole
This post speaks to me even if I don't have any books out yet. What you've said here can apply to any passion in life. Sure we'll get discouraged, but when it's something that we believe in a breeze of inspiration can set a dying ember ablaze with new fervor.
Lee
Special report today on the "Story Sprouts" book launch in L.A.
Lot's of pictures in this one!
Tossing It Out
I think each of our paths are ours alone and each will differ from another. And I was reading... or maybe hearing yesterday about how we measure success. Is it ratings? Is it finishing a book the best we can, getting it out there, and winning over a few fans? For most of us it's B.
But if we keep chugging along, our path may lead us onto the takeoff ramp and someday we may find ourselves in the sky.
This publishing bit is dang hard, which is why we need the support of one another.
But you're right about the crumbs, they do seem to come at dark hours.
I was feeling so horrible on Tues., and I think the universe knows why I was so angry at this point - lol - but in the midst of that, I received a wonderful letter from a fan who makes me jump up and down as having him as a fan.
Take every one of those crumbs, keep them, file them away, and on bad days take them out and relive each one. Don't give up... the universe is telling me to tell you that.
I could very well relate here,
like "...Why don't I just chuck it all and give more of that time to my kids, to my friends, to my day job, to my poor, poor garden and house?"
but......every time I start thinking this way, I'm given a breadcrumb, a little nugget of encouragement to let me know that I'm on the right path and am meant to stay on it"
This thought make us to go on and on.. Great thoughts here. Thanks for sharing this, and thank you very much for dropping by..
Keep inform
Best Regards
Phil