So the rush from an amazing writers' conference in September didn't push me full steam ahead into the dedicated, querying go-getter that I thought I'd be as I drove the long trek back from Indiana to Iowa. Hm. Let me tell you, I have been one frustrated, self-doubting gal this past month and a half.
A few words that clang around in my mental writer's nook (which, by the way, has the fuzzy cloud of pregnancy inevitably expanding) are:
Blocked
Uninspired
Apathetic
Not Good Enough
Foolish
Waste-of-time
But my hope, desire, and competitiveness strive to push past this defeatist attitude. And with the help of my Writer's Alley buddies as well as my “angel” constantly reprimanding the little “devil” on my shoulder, I feel like I am emerging from this pool of doubt. I would like to share some tips if you ever find yourself in the same mind-set (I hope I am not the only one...? :) ).
- Take time! Something that dragged me down, was the full-speed ahead mode that life inevitably threw at this pregnant, stay-at-home, volunteering mama. I needed to sit and truck on with writing, even if I didn't want to. I forced myself to commit to editing, and to try and write SOMETHING. (Blogging, letter to God, grocery list...well, maybe that doesn't count)!
- Keep Reading! I realized that maybe the reason I felt so unsettled with the writing part, is because I had neglected the reading part of the whole author thing! How could I inspire if I wasn't allowing other authors to inspire me? It may be a season of taking in, not pouring out.
Reset Your Goals! UGH! This is so hard. But after being bombarded with the taunting of opened doors to publishing, at the conference...my goal was a giant leap to be published...soon! Can we say head in the clouds?? Just recently I discovered a more attainable goal for the moment- polishing for a specific contest deadline. Ah, much more achievable!
4. And most importantly...Put Christ first, it's not about you! If I am truly writing to inspire, then I
should treasure this calling in the hi's and lows, and not let "success" be my driving source.
Perhaps these are tips you have heard time and time again...but maybe it's because they work! :) I am glad to say, that I have soft, fuzzy words floating in my mental writer's nook now:
Grounded
Hopeful
Perseverance
Humility
Proactive
Confident
What do you do to pick yourself up and continue on the journey of writing?
Oh Angie, I'm with you...I've so been there, and pregnancy is such an inspiration killer! :) If I have to push through to finish something, I make a detailed plan to do it. If I don't have anything urgent, I love to take time out and read, like you said. What better form of "research" and inspiration is there? :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad new words are floating around now. We've talked about this. I can relate.
ReplyDeleteI love how you mentioned reading. That really helps me too. It reminds me of my love for words.
~ Wendy
Ang,
ReplyDeleteI SO understand. After ACFW I placed a note above my computer that reads:
"A Christian and a Writer are similar in this - You are still one, even when you don't feel like it."
And the idea of 'its not about you'- yep, I've been swallowing that big, fat pill too lately. I got choked a few times along the way. Blah.
Journaling helps me a lot - especially when I'm in an uninspired, frustrated, apathetic sort of mood. But you're on the right track. Write something!
You have a gift, a seed planted in your spirit from God. He will provide the water, sunlight, and inspiration for that seed to flower.
I'm so glad you're back to writing :-)
Oh, Angie, I know what you mean! I am stuck in this unmotivated, uninspired and not good enough mindset for the last few weeks. It's strange for me because I've never really been here before--at least not where I couldn't push through within a few days.
ReplyDeleteThose are great suggestions to get past that feeling and I think one of the biggest things I keep forgetting is that it's okay to take a break--like you said, reset my goals! I hope that helps :)
GREAT post! And one I needed, even if I just have a cold and feel no inspiration whatsoever to write, this was a good pep talk. :) Thanks Angie.
ReplyDeleteOh this is good. I'm so tired, that I just want to lay on the couch and watch movies. Too tired to even read. Sad, huh?
ReplyDeletePregnancy is definitely a sapper! I hope you get past your slump and your creative genius kicks in.
Whenever I'm in a slump, I go back to something I'd written earlier before my ship sank. Because God gives me such great stuff to write, I get excited enough to start writing again.
ReplyDeleteAngie--
ReplyDeleteI'm responding to your comment here (I couldn't access your other blog), but yes, please feel free to use my last post for your mops blog.
And I trust you're finding inspiration to write these days.
blessings!
Mel
Thanks Melanie! I fixed my other blog.
ReplyDeleteAngie