Confidence vs. Self-doubt

Nathan Bransford has written a wonderful post on the differences and similarities between confidence and self-doubt and how they affect our writing. It's worth the trip to GO READ.

Move Through the Creative Gap

I debated posting that Adele video because I was in a low spot that day. I tend not to show people those down times. But this is a different kind of blog. This blog is more about reality than my main blog and I think its important for those on this same crazy journey to understand how hard it can be.
     They say you can't truly reach success or become an expert at something until you've put in 10,000 hours. Well, I'm nearing those hours, and the beastie is really testing my resolve. Am I failing at this career I've dedicated so much time to? I couldn't really figure out how to say it, exactly. But then along comes Tribal Writer and says it perfectly:
     "The important thing is you're failing forward."
     Choosing a career like this is, in many ways, choosing discomfort. Because it's that constant striving to be better that gets us there, but it's that not feeling good enough yet that drives that action. It's the fate of the creative mind unfortunately, and why so many people refuse to stay on the path. And yet, the silver lining is that all that drive will (I hope) eventually lead to something spectacular.
     Truly, I can't say it better than Tribal Writer did (sections 3 and 4 especially) in her post move through the creative gap (all the way to the power of awesome). If you'r on even a moderately similar journey as mine, I highly suggest you go READ.

Adele...

I know we all feel this sometimes. Maybe lots of times. It's hard to chase a dream. It's hard to be rejected. Or to realize the rejection of your work isn't a rejection of you. It's hard to know if you're on the right path. It's hard to feel like the reason you are here on this earth may not be the reason you think it is. And sometimes, well, sometimes the not knowing can really mess with you. I know I'm not alone in this... I hope you know you aren't either.

Back to my agent

My novel went back to my agent on Friday. Again. I'm hoping it's ready to go to potential publishers at this point, although I'm sure there are more revisions in my story's future. How can I be okay with that?
     If you've been following my new blog, you've already seen how much back and forth work there is with a novel, and how much time. But truly, with every set of new eyes, and every round of revisions, the story gets a little bit better - and I become a little bit better of a writer.
     Knowing that, I can't wait to see what my story will turn into by the time a publishing house editor has had at it. And it's not because I'm not confident about my story. I truly believe it's a darned good story. I just recognize that it's difficult to approach a story objectively, especially when you've been at it for two years. Even my critique group and agent have seen it several times.
     That said, I've learned I can't just take anybody's advice on needed changes - it has to be somebody I respect. Well intentioned people are not always qualified people, and it's vital that advice come from those with knowledge of the market and writing in general. I've been very lucky to have all of that up until now. And I hope to have that again in a future editor.
     I look at a book like the creation of a Pixar movie - think Nemo. That story line was so perfect, so tight, without any dead moments or missed opportunities, and most of their movies are like that. I believe it takes a room full of brilliant minds to create something that polished. A really good team.
     And I look forward to learning who else will be on my team. It might be time for a mascot and pom-poms.