This is a little nugget to tuck in your pocket this week. Most writers are fearful and have times of self doubt. They have grandiose ideas about their work and feel substandard work is genius. They don't always listen to good advice and wreck entire projects. At times, they feel like their writing is absolute crap or worse derivative.
They moan and groan about the inability to finish their work, and yet they drive family members and friends crazy with their intense focus. They become blocked, distracted, and choked in cyclical turns. They face pricks of professional jealousy and find themselves in valleys of despond because they just aren't good enough. They can be totally ridiculous and childish when confronted with critisim. They take wrong turns and end up on dead end streets. They backtrack a lot.
So here is the key -- you are flawed and you will create a work that will be flawed. A good writer does not allow perfectionism to take them out. The flaws within the matrix of your work bring it character, flavor and humanity. Yeah, tuck that in your pocket and keep it there.
I will be back next week with another key. Keep working!
The doodle this week is called: "Peeps."
Thiw quote will keep you going this week.
“I am not an angel,' I asserted; 'and I will not be one till I die: I will be myself. Mr. Rochester, you must neither expect nor exact anything celestial of me - for you will not get it, any more than I shall get it of you: which I do not at all anticipate.” ― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
7 comments:
We (N. and I) were just discussing these things at our meetup this past week. I know I'm not alone in this self-sabotaging behavior, but I am curious as to why we do it to ourselves. My questions lie beyond my fear of failing. What is my major malfunction that seems to prohibit me from chasing my dreams? Such a mystery for me.
I think this idea of "major malfunction" is interesting for you. You appear to me a person who is chasing your dreams, but something is going on that you are not happy about.
Are many people telling you that you are coming up short? I mean, I would not tell you that. I do think your drive is good, rare even. Your enthusiasm is over the top. What I have seen of your writing is rock solid. You are sending out,starting new projects, experimenting. All this does not point to major malfunction but success.
Just thinking. I'm am here cheering you. If I were a betting person, I'd think you were a good bet. I do think you will find the success you desire despite all. I think the proof is in what you put on the page.
Great quote to go with the post. I love that every week I am reminded that only God is perfect, when I sing the Gloria.
Lovely post, Molly. It's amazing how we even go back to published work thinking of things we wish we could change instead of accepting the works as artefacts of our lives (with all their imperfections) at a given moment in time. Also, when are you coming to PacNW to hang out? We miss you here!
Hi Vijaya, I do like that quote.
Hi Stasia, I'm so glad you dropped by. I think embracing the shades of color with your work is mucho important.I do want to get back to the Northwest sometime. I miss everyone too.
As always your post hits the mark for my week, Molly. I get tired of shadowboxing, maybe better to play with the shadows or imperfections.
Janet
Janet! I'm glad I hit the mark. Plato's cave, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EPz5z1pUag, comes to mind. We have muse and enlightenment on our side. It follows we should not worry about the shadows.
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