Month: October 2010

How to cope with those moments of self-doubt.

/ hemmiemartin / 6 Comments

Let’s be honest, we are all plagued with moments of self-doubt and despair in our ability to become a published author; or in our ability to create the perfect writing to hook an agent or publisher. I understand that even agented and published authors continue to suffer such afflictions, hence I know I’ve chosen a path that will be littered with a plethora of self-destructive potholes.

When I am struck by the negativity beast, I have a few options that invariably help to ease the emotional pain. It goes without saying that chocolate should be added to each option – ranging from the milk variety to the decadent (and so when most needed) Green & Black and Lindt a touch of sea salt (serious stuff indeed).

1) I read uplifting and inspirational tweets, blogs or articles written by people such as @Fictionnotes, @jammer0501, @Clipso1, @johannaharness and @dirtywhitecandy – to name but a few people on Twitter that I follow – I also  follow many other fabulous people, too many to mention, so please don’t be offended if you aren’t personally mentioned – I appreciate you too.

2) I read a novel in my chosen genre which will either re-light my fire (thank you Take That) or, more detrimentally , will make me believe that my writing is so dire, no wonder I’m unagented.

3) Listen to some music through headphones so that I’m totally absorbed by the notes. I will play anything from classical to rock )Bach and Green Day feature heavily on my ipod).

4) Tweet a fellow writer, or the writing arena en general – i do like #amwriting, again on Twitter – as the collective will understand what I’m experiencing and will send words of comfort and encouragement.

5) Cook a sumptuous meal for my family (thank you Nigella).

6) Sometimes I find that a Moscow Mule helps the juices to flow, or at least partially numb my senses to the awareness of my lack of self-worth. However, this isn’t an option for early morning writer blues.

7) If all else fails, I put the demon thoughts to one side with my WIP and decide to leave any writing for the following day. Personally, I tend to wake up feeling positive and invigorated, and so I will find myself in the right frame of mind to allow the words to flow freely.

I know I’m not alone in experiencing such crushing writer lows – so come on folks – tell me what you do so I can add them to my list, so that the next time (oh yes, there will be a next time)  I will have other options to soothe my emotions.

Happy Word Flow One & All

After how many rejections do you give up?

/ hemmiemartin / Leave a comment

Before you worry, this isn’t a maudlin piece about feelings of failure and hopelessness, no, it’s more to do with understanding the process and reflecting on my lack of insight and knowledge when I first began flirting with the writing scene.

When I wrote my first novel, I sent it off to 4 agents and received 4 rejections – and there I stopped. I lost faith in the book and my writing, so I began a second novel. I eventually sent that one off to 4 agents and again, I received 4 rejections – although there was a little more interest after my query letter.
 I then decided to write in the genre that I love to read which made the process of writing even more intoxicating.

When I googled ‘how many rejections’ I was astonished to see that the number ranged from 40 to 85, with 65 being the average – therefore, i hadn’t even scratched the surface.

Kathryn Stockett spent 5yrs trying to get an agent for her debut novel ‘The Help’, and she accumulated 60 rejections. Finally she got an agent for her novel, which then spent 30 weeks on the New York Times’ best-seller list. he could have given up so easily – so her story is inspirational and a reminder not to be defeated too quickly.

On reflection, my first 2 novels weren’t all that good –  I didn’t execute the telling of the story as well as I do currently. I realise that with every novel I write and with every article, blog, book and novel that I read, my understanding of the art of writing is developing and maturing – like the proverbial fine wine.

The psychological thriller – Attic of the Mind – that I am currently seeking an agent for, is by far the best I have written so far. That being said, I am still learning all the time and trying to refine my work, as I don’t believe that one can ever know it all.

Hence, with Attic of the Mind, I’m not going to lose the faith after 4 rejections, I’m going to keep going as as quote I read on Twitter – ‘A published author is a persistent author’ – keeps popping into my head.

I would love to know what you feel about this topic – do you give up too soon or are you a persistent author?

Happy Word Flow One & All and welcome to the new followers – I appreciate the support.

Do you say you are a writer?

/ hemmiemartin / 4 Comments

We had friends over for a meal this weekend, and a little voice in me wanted to tell them that I’m writing my fourth novel, but a louder voice clamped down on that thought.
All my friends are aware of my professional publications, although they are barely interested as we all work in different fields.

The reason I don’t tell people is that I haven’t got an agent and so my chances of publication are pretty slim. As I periodically send out queries, I don’t want people continually asking me if I’ve been successful; it would heighten my feelings of failure that plague me periodically.

This reminds me of the latter stages of pregnancy, when well meaning people would phone up to ask me if I’d had the baby, which after a while became tiresome in itself, never mind carrying another person inside me.

One of the several reasons why I love Twitter is that I can speak freely about my writing as I don’t know anyone in real life. A teenage friend of my daughter is on Twitter, but as I’m in the wrong age bracket, I’m not famous and I’m not in a girl/boy band, I’m of no interest to her thankfully.

I’m so passionate about writing, and I feel the need to write and read about writing on a daily basis, that it saddens me that I have to keep it a secret. I long to scream, ‘I’m a writer,’ but until I achieve the next step, I have to whisper it to myself.

What do you do? Are you open about it? Do you tell a select few? I’d love to know to see whether I should have a different view point.

Welcome to Shannon and thanks for following me.

Happy Word Flow One & All