One of those days
One day last week my twelve-year-old came home from school and asked what I did all day. Giving into self-pity, I told her I thought about looking for a job.
“But you already have a job,” she said. “You’re a writer.”
“Apparently not a very good one,” I said.
She looked at me thoughtfully and said, “One of those days, uh Mom?”
Yes. It had definitely been one of those days. I was struggling with my WIP and just received my third rejection for a full of my YA in less than a week. Though, the rejections were extremely encouraging and not based on my writing but things out of my control (tough market, agent’s personal taste), they hit me hard. I did what pretty much any writer does – I whined, cried, ate some chocolate and considered getting a “real” job.
My fabulous critique group tried to cheer me up by saying all the right things.
My first reader joked that the one agent probably turned it down because she had the first name as the book’s antagonist.
My sweetheart-of-a-daughter offered to rub my shoulders.
But at the end of the day, the one thing that really helped was this: I sent out another query.
When you’re stuck in the middle of the road and can’t figure out which direction to go, sometimes the only thing you can do is pick up your foot and take a step. Doesn’t matter which direction. Doesn’t matter if the step is big or small. Successful or disastrous.
What matters is that you have the courage to just keep moving.
What do you do when you have “one of those days?”
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Ohh…THOSE days. I know them well. Sometimes I just take a break. Ya know, put them laptop away and go to the park with my kiddos. I am “off the clock” for a while.
Hiking helps me, oddly enough. Being out in nature and having a good time with my family helps with “those” days. I also pray.
Then…I put my patookie back in the chair, pick up my laptop and get back to work. After all…it is my job.
hugs,
Donna
So so true. I like to go for a nice long run. It helps me get things into perspective.
I think I’ve been having “one of those days” all week! I usually take a total break from writing and do something completely different, like bake or play with the kids. It has to be something fun to “recharge” my batteries.
Well, now…that is exactly what I do when I’m having one of those days. Send out another query and keep on keeping on. AND-I go a-reading in cyber space. Why? Because I come across posts like this that also give me a boost….thanks, Car!