There’s nothing like a Monday morning meeting filled with meetings to make me realize just how cool it would be to not have to do the whole 8 to 5 day job thing. Especially following an evening hockey game. I do need to finish a novel, get an agent, get a publisher, and become a famous writer. Not too much to ask, right? *sigh*
That’s how I’m feeling this morning. Cooped up and tired. I found the picture above on wikimedia commons because I wanted to post something beautiful, to lift my mood at least.
Also, it is becoming Autumn here. It is my favorite time of year. The leaves are changing colors and the temperatures are letting up a bit. I’m able to sleep with a cover on and spend some time outside without wilting away. On that front, life is good.
You know, when I first started writing here and posting fiction here, I thought maybe, just maybe, I would post something and it would be so good someone would just stop by and say, “Wow, you are so great. I wave my magic wand and I want you to write a novel for our publishing company.” Naive, huh?
What I know now is there are thousands of people who want to be published and who are talented. They are everywhere. It’s up to writers to put in the work, talented or not. No one just hands out publishing deals. You need to earn it. That’s the hard part.
Anyhow, that’s where I am. I’m tired. At least tomorrow is Tuesday.
The Struggling Writer 
The blogoshere would apparently have us believe we’re all potentially best-selling authors. The only reason we aren’t is because the Fat-Cat mainstream publishers haven’t caught onto us yet.
Not that I don’t appreciate all the great moral support we give each other. And I believe in the power of positive attitudes.
But is it possible we’re being a bit TOO positive, and not objective enough?
Mabye we (writers as a whole) are not as talented as we think.
Otherwise, would’s there be thousand of top-selling books every month?
Friar – there’s some truth to that. That’s why I’m happy I have a writing critique group I attend, which gives praise and criticism.
I think the support of the blogosphere is crucial. We all get enough negativity from rejection letters and industry blogs. Perseverance counts for a lot–though not more than hard work, of course. If having a group of people who understand what you’re going through helps you stick it out then it’s a good thing.
It’s true that there are thousands of writers out there, hundreds of thousands, really.
But don’t let that discourage from sharing your voice. You are every bit entitled to share it and to dream and even to succeed. Blogging and writing are two excellent ways to network. While I doubt editors and agents are trolling blogs to see what’s out there, connections are never bad to have. I could be a troller with an agent friend, let’s say. I could be a publisher’s kid. Christopher Paolini self-published and took his own show on the road. When a kid heard and loved his writing, he went home and told his dad (something like this) and he found an agent that way. Like any success, it’s all in putting yourself out there, first and foremost, and making connections. As well as having talent, of course.
So long as you love to write and want to, so long as you have a dream to be published and believe you can be, who cares what the odds are. People beat them every single day, every hour, every minute, maybe even every second.
It’s hard isn’t it? It is difficult to pursue your dream when you don’t seem to be making progress but if you don’t write and expose your writing to the world it will never get published.
Maybe you ought to try submitting some of your stories to appropriate publications (when you think they are ready), guest on more blogs, enter more competitions. I don’t know much about the writers’ world but it seems to me the more fronts you attack on, the more chance of success. Trouble is I suppose, as it usually is – time (or lack of it).
Your support network and your blogging fans are all rooting for you, I’m guessing you are tired after your weekend exertions and a busy day at work. Get rested and keep plugging away. It will happen!
Thanks Diane. You all keep me going.
My biggest problem is me. I need to actually complete a novel, before I can even think of it being published. Don’t worry, I’m not at the giving up phase yet.
Thanks for rooting for me, though 🙂
Oh I so get this post, struggly. Thanks for sharing. I’m with ya.
You know, I have come to realize that for me it is not about being published. That isn’t the goal anymore. It’s more that I want to just write because I love doing it and I want to improve my skills. And I will keep trying to get published, yes. But the PROCESS is front and center for me. That way it is not too discouraging. Besides, everyone knows how capricious the publishing industry is. They are no judge, really, of what is good. Write because you love it.
Man, I felt the *exact same way* regarding my blog. Surely someone in New York will happen by my site and rush to contact me.
I’ve been holding my breath for over a year now. No call.
I hear you on the hard work. But I do wish there was a magic wand.