Wednesday, June 15, 2011

What was I thinking?!!!

Ever get the feeling that you've possibly bitten off more than you could chew? Or experienced one of those “D'oh!" moments?

Yeah, me neither.

But if I had had one of these moments I think I’d probably be doing a bit of what I’m doing now, which is wondering if I may have taken on a project that was far too much for me to handle.  I sometimes wonder about this as I sit before my computer, the cursor blinking tauntingly back at me waiting for me to give it the old typer-action.  But this morning, while I made my usual 30 mile commute to work, I couldn’t help dwelling on something that's been niggling at the back of my mind for a while, but until now have managed to keep it suppressed.  

Have I really taken on a story that’s out of my league and beyond my level of ability? I mean seriously, who do I think I am?

But no sooner did these hateful thoughts enter my mind that I quickly recalled these small yet poignant words…OH, SHUT UP!!! THIS IS MY STORY AND I CAN TELL IT IF I DARN WELL WANT TO!

And then magically, I started to feel much better. 

I know as writers we often suffer what I like to call chronic-I-suck-and-my-writing-is-crap meltdowns, but please, before you do anything hasty or drastic just cool the jets.  Take a break, grab some coffee, exercise, do anything just don't hack into your work or make any sort of life changing decision while in this crazy whacked out mood.  I’m sure a great many brilliant stories have been lost to the green-eyed meltdown monster over the centuries but remember that fear of failure and doubt is actually just a real part of this crazy process.  So when you’re feeling down, just know that you’re not alone and are in fact in very good company. :-)

WRITER WARRIORS!!! YOU WILL BE CONQUERORS!!!

5 comments:

  1. Great post. I've been reading a lot of articles about this lately because I've been feeling this way lately.

    I swear no matter how many times people tell me I'm good...I never believe them.

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  2. Thanks! Yeah, I suffer the same affliction. I think it'll be a flare up I'll always have to battle with, as long as I'm writing.

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  3. I love taking on the impossible to write project, Blaire. The idea that is too damn hard to do is the only one worth doing. Get back on that keyboard and kick butt!

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  4. Haha! Thanks Randy! And don't worry, I'm riding this stubborn bull to the ground!

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  5. Just keep at it. Self doubt is a universal demon for all us writers. You're in good company. ;)

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