Welcome to the first Wednesday of the month. You know what that means! It's time to let our insecurities hang out. Yep, it's the Insecure Writer's Support Group blog hop. If you're a writer at any stage of career, I highly recommend this blog hop as a way to connect with other writers for support, sympathy, ideas, and networking.
If you're a reader, it's a great way to peek behind the curtain of a writing life.
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
July 7 question - What would make you quit writing?
The awesome co-hosts for the July 7 posting of the IWSG are Pat Garcia, Victoria Marie Lees, and Louise – Fundy Blue! Be sure to check out what they have to say, and visit other writers in the blog hop!
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About the only thing that could make me quit writing would be loss of cognitive function. Meaning, I would quit writing if I found I actually could no longer do the mental and physical work of it. It's too important to me to ever just let go entirely. Sometimes I feel like I'm incapable of understanding the world around me except by processing it in writing. It's how I see.
Now, quitting publishing, on the other hand…that's a different kettle of fish. Publishing is not nearly as fulfilling or fun as writing. It's time consuming, whether you're working with traditional publishers or taking on all the work yourself as an indie writer. It can drag you up and down emotional roller coasters and leave you feeling bruised and sick.
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But I persist. Writing itself is the most important part for me, but I also want an audience for my work. I wouldn't be content to leave all my words unshared. So publishing is part of the writing life for me, even when it is less than fun or takes an ugly turn.
I'm a stubborn sort, so I wouldn't give it up easily. I'm not going to be that person who rage quits over a bad review or publishing politics or anything like that. I read threads all the time about someone who just chucks the whole thing when things go badly and I can't imagine making that decision. I'd just seek another way.
My professional writing life has been pretty short. I've only been at it for six years. But in those few years, I've had a range of experiences with publishing from the affirming and joyful to the disheartening and upsetting. I had a publisher fold on me, I've collected quite a little pile of rejections, I've had bad reviews. I've also been recognized with an award, received money for my creations, and made some great friends who really understand this part of me.
So, I expect to always be a writer and to always seek publication for my work. The good outweighs the bad. I'll remain the Rick Astley of the writing world, refusing to give it up.
That's great that the good outweights the bad for you. I could see myself writing but not trying to get published someday too.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I will never actually quit writing (even if I do say I'm going to quit multiple times a day somedays...). But yeah...publishing. That really is a different kettle of fish, isn't it.
ReplyDeleteI’m the same. I couldn’t ever quit writing, but publishing is another story. There could come a time when I chose not to publish anymore. I’ve considered it many times. But I’m also very stubborn. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou're right about publishing being a very challenging aspect of writing. But great points about how the good outweighs the bad. I love your last line about Rick Astley. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have much experience with publishing, but I know I could never give up writing.
ReplyDeleteYou've had quite the well-rounded experience. I wouldn't give up, either. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Keep on rockin'!
ReplyDeleteVery good blog post.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post, Samantha! I find writing too important to me to ever just let go entirely also. More power to you for having publishers and winning an award. Receiving money for our creations helps me believe in myself. But I'll always be a writer. All best to you!
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