Tell me something good
Feb. 9th, 2009 09:01 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
megwritesMan, I'd love to hear some good news about the writing business right about now.
I get that you need to be realistic about it, that you need to know what your odds are and what kind of challenges you're facing. But at the same time? There's a difference between setting down the facts of life and "so, your advice to me is what? Just don't try?"
Yeah, I know. You have to be tough and persistent and psychotic to do this. But I don't think it's a sign of unworthiness to want some glimmer of hope, to know that there's still a reason to do this thing.
I'd especially love it if the publishing industry could be straight with the rest of us. Because right now, I'm wondering if it's even worth the stamp and the envelopes to send out submissions. Plus, some of the blogs of literary agents are getting really depressing for me to read and I should probably quit at this point.
Writing is a big investment. I'm never gonna get these hours back, so I'd like to know that it will come to something, eventually. That effort does pay off. You can tell people to be persistent all you like, but if you never make it apparent that persistence has a reward, then you're essentially telling them, "Hey, you just keep banging your head against that wall until you're unconscious and can't feel the pain anymore!"
I get fed up with people who trumpet bad news, but never mention how to deal with it. With the people who tell you that you're doing it all wrong, but don't point out any suggestions about how to go about doing better.
So, like I said, I'd really love some good news right now about writing. Or about anything.
I get that you need to be realistic about it, that you need to know what your odds are and what kind of challenges you're facing. But at the same time? There's a difference between setting down the facts of life and "so, your advice to me is what? Just don't try?"
Yeah, I know. You have to be tough and persistent and psychotic to do this. But I don't think it's a sign of unworthiness to want some glimmer of hope, to know that there's still a reason to do this thing.
I'd especially love it if the publishing industry could be straight with the rest of us. Because right now, I'm wondering if it's even worth the stamp and the envelopes to send out submissions. Plus, some of the blogs of literary agents are getting really depressing for me to read and I should probably quit at this point.
Writing is a big investment. I'm never gonna get these hours back, so I'd like to know that it will come to something, eventually. That effort does pay off. You can tell people to be persistent all you like, but if you never make it apparent that persistence has a reward, then you're essentially telling them, "Hey, you just keep banging your head against that wall until you're unconscious and can't feel the pain anymore!"
I get fed up with people who trumpet bad news, but never mention how to deal with it. With the people who tell you that you're doing it all wrong, but don't point out any suggestions about how to go about doing better.
So, like I said, I'd really love some good news right now about writing. Or about anything.
no subject
Date: 2009-02-09 03:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-02-09 11:55 pm (UTC)The eternal optimist in me says that maybe in two years, the economy will have pulled out of it's downward spiral and business will be booming, so maybe if I do get something published, it'll be in an environment where it might succeed.
no subject
Date: 2009-02-09 05:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-02-09 11:55 pm (UTC)THANK YOU. I totally needed that.