WHAT'S THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN...

A writing friend of mine has recently won some prizes in competitions, prize money and publication of stories, all very well deserved (she's a great writer). I smiled when another writing friend of mine said 'yes, that's what happens when you send stuff out.'

I smiled, if only it was that easy. The work has to be good, the timing has to be right but then I began to think when did I last send something out.

Hmmmmmmmmm.......still thinking about that. I"m sure if I looked up my 'paper work' it would tell me but between you and me, I'm afraid of the answer.

So what is stopping me?


Climbing the Gloucester tree in Western Australia, I was intent in making it to the top. Once there, then safely back down, then I thought of all the things that could have happened.

Could have fallen, could have broken something, could have had an anxiety attack and froze half way up. None of this happened....I wasn't the speediest climbing it and my legs turned to jelly when I was on the ground but I made it.

We all have fears...two of my biggest fears are snakes and deep water...well not deep water, it's when I can't touch the bottom then I panic big time!  But I have held snakes (with someone who knows what they are doing close by I must admit) and I have snorkelled on a coral reef and only felt that stab of panic when I realised I'd have to swim back to be able to touch ground. It has been done.


High places don't necessarily frighten me, it's stopping the instinct to jump off. Walking out on the ledge was exhilarating, but once back behind the fence all those 'what could have happened' thoughts hit.

I think my lack of sending stuff out is up there with one of those fears. Which is totally stupid.

Worst case scenario- you get a rejection. That's it.

No one is going to reply and tell me that I should stop and desist all writing, that I have no ability, that I'm wasting good paper and their time reading my crap. Well I hope not.

Best news- publication...or a win in a competition.
Worst news- nothing...rejection.

Yes there are some gaps in between. Over three times now I've been close, as in publisher has wanted entire manuscript, read it, liked it, asked for me to work on it....and then....sorry no.

Which hurts like hell. (and yes I know us writers are meant to have thick skins but sometimes....)

Another friend tells me this means we are close, so close. Of course close is not there...and the industry is getting smaller and smaller....and my work isn't ready just yet....and surely there are others out there writing on the same subjects and themes and .....


That writing friend of mine is right. If you send nothing out, then you will receive nothing in return.

Time to get busy.

Vicki 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE SOLITARY WRITER...

Image
Writers are said to be solitary creatures. There is the age old image of the writer, alone, shivering and gaunt, scribbling away frantically while living in an attic. Frankly I don't know any writers who live in attics, or in fact many who lead the solitary life. Most are surrounded by people- in their daily lives, in their jobs, surrounded by family and friends. And really it is by being part of this social whirl where the majority of ideas come from. People as a species are so interesting, so volatile, so eager to say too much. All fodder for a poem or short story, a play, piece of non-fiction...or the seed for a novel. The novel I wrote for Nanowrimo last year was based on a line my father said. One simple phrase and I wondered 'what if...' and it went from there. The last short story I wrote was based on a mother I noticed at work and how she interacted with her children on one of the last scorching days. Let's just say the temperature wasn't the only thi...
Read more

OBSTACLES....

Image
This year has been a bit of a doozy. A lot of obstacles have popped up, some avoidable (accepting bigger work load and more hours)..some unavoidable (death of family member). So without me noticing it, March has arrived. Summer is gone and we have autumn, and not a lot of writing has been done. But here we are and I'm determined to get myself organised and on focus. I have made a goal sheet for 2018, which is a great start. It only has two things on it but heh, they are two BIG things and hopefully  I intend to get them done.  Last night I attended my YA / Children's writing group. What an inspirational group! Just when I needed a pick up, a kick up the pants (please supply any number of cliches) I was reminded of what can be achieved with lots of hard work. Fellow member Pauline   is about to launch her second book in her Cinnamon Stevens series. There will be a launch at Belgrave Library, Tuesday 10th April 2pm.  Copies can be purchased ...
Read more

FRESH START....

Image
There's something about the beginning of a new year. Fills us with inspiration, hopes and dreams. Lets us believe that anything is possible. That the year to come can be anything we want it to be. And it can. And of course there are resolutions...I'm still debating about what tack to take. Whether to focus on poetry or short story, the novel(s) that I wrote last year....hmmm too hard to think about just yet. I'll let it percolate, ponder on the pros and cons, on what I WANT to do, not what I SHOULD do. Personal resolutions are so much easier- I have plans on health and wellbeing, on the house, on the garden, on myself spiritually as well. The writing ones are so much harder. And of course there is knowing when to stop. There is no point in having a list a mile long ( I so used to do that)... totally unachievable and so daunting. So it's better to have a few solid ones on the list...ones that can be achieved within twelve months. And also goals that I have contr...
Read more