...is not my favorite day.
...would be better if it were Friday.
We could finish this sentence any number of ways. But I'm going to take a page from Katie's book and go all honest with you today.
Are you ready for this?Here it is: I'm living on borrowed confidence.
At the moment, I'm not feeling great about myself or my writing ability. See, I've had quite the roller coaster ride with my latest book and what I'm now calling the Query Carnival. And I'm in a low spot.
It sucks.
It's not my favorite thing.
It's not better on Friday. Or Saturday. Or any other freaking day of the week. It's just always sucktacular.
So yeah. I'm trying to enjoy the ride, but I don't particularly like roller coasters. Or carnivals. Clowns sorta scare me. Okay, they terrify me.
How are you guys feeling right now? This very minute? Be honest. It's Honestly, Monday.
38 comments:
Days, or months ;) like that suck!! Sorry you're feeling down. Hang in there! Things will get better. I'm right there with you on that roller coaster. Haven't been able to put down more than 1000 words over the last few weeks and every time I look at my ms I think it sucks. So frustrating!
I'm sending you like half of the fudge I made last night. Now, go find yourself some real chocolate. Lots. Hope you're feeling better soon. :)
Please don’t hate me; I actually love Mondays. Every Monday, I resolve to stick to my routine, feel as if I’m really going to accomplish something. I even make a list to solidify my intent.
Problem is, by 1:00 I’ve exhausted myself with so much enthusiasm for the day. Sometimes the nap helps, sometimes it doesn’t.
So, seeing as it’s 9:49 on a Monday morning, I’m psyched, so I’d better back away from the keyboard and accomplish something other than words.
*hugs* Mondays should be things that happen to other people.
From what I'm finding, the Query Carnival is filled with low spots, and punctuated with the high spots. I wish I had a magic wand that I could wave and make all the low points go away. But repeat after me: Elana does not stink. Elana is made of equal parts awesome and win. Elana can do this because she has friends that have a large supply of duct tape and glitter. O:)
I think the hardest part of the whole querying process is the emotional stuff ya go through. It's draining and hard. So hugs and virtual chocolate covered bacon. *shudders*
Looks like we had the same theme today! Monday's do suck!
So yeah I'm totally with you on the low writing confidence thing. Up until last week I spent almost 2 months in a writing rut. And I could be wrong, but I think only other writers understand how truly depressing that can be.
But it will come back! Promise. Step away for a minute (or month) or two. Start a new book, or some poetry, or even just ignore it all together.
You're a write...it will ALWAYS come back :)
Where is that rollercoaster? I must ride it!
I hate Mondays, I don't want to be at work, but I did get some good writing done yesterday, and I'm happy about that.
Keep going! Today isn't the rest of your life.
Honestly? I feel like crap this morning. There. I said it. Happy? Me either.
I can't remember the last Monday that started on a high note for me. I start every single one the same basic way - cursing the fact that I have to get up at 5:30am just so I can get my husband up an hour later and we both have to be to work for an 8am meeting. Every Monday.
*Deep Breath*
That's why Mondays are "goal days" for me. After I go through that traumatic routine, I ignore the fact that I should be working, and look at the goals I had for the past week, focusing on what I got done. Then I lay out new goals for this week, and by the time I'm done with that, I usually don't feel quite so bad about things. My life might suck right now at this minute, but I have a plan. I'm working on it. I'm doing something to help myself out. And that's all I (or anyone else can do).
I can't even pretend to know what the "Query Carnival" is like - but just to have gotten there at all is a huge, huge thing, and maybe focusing on that, and your next project will help get you through the day. Just today. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Hang in there.
Sending you as many good thoughts as I can spare this morning (more as the day wears on)...
Currently, on this pretty suckish Monday, I am at home, sick in bed, probably missing pages and pages of important notes in every single one of my classes. I'm honestly not too thrilled. I'm also in a writing funk.
I think I'm going to throw an I-Hate-Monday party. Lol.
Feel better! :D
First - the clown thing. My brother-in-law is terrified of clowns. So, he's driving to work in Chicago one day, parks on the street behind this bus, and then all of a sudden the bus door opens and all these clowns start getting out. Yes, this actually happened. We still laugh about the incident. He said it took everything he had to get out of his car and walk into the building. Too funny . . . well, at least from my perspective.
We all have doubts. I don't think there's a writer out there who doesn't doubt their ability at some point. It's part of life. Yeah, those words really don't help, do they? I have faith in your abilities. I read your blog. I know you can write. I have faith in your ability.
How am I feeling this very minute? Well, kinda bummed that you're going through this right now. I'm also hopeful you'll get through it, and be there for the rest of us when we hit this low spot in our lives.
S
I don't like Monday's either ... I dislike Sunday nights even worse as it is the inevitable anticipation of the coming Monday.
But as for the querying process ... feel ya, dude ... we'll have to chat ...
Maybe over some chocolate. And bacon. Mmmmmm
I think I've decided it will always suck and that way I will be surprised if anything ever works out.
It's working for me, the doom prophet thing. Chin up you talented girl. Keep that chin up, you might keep getting jawed but at least you'll see the road ahead of you. ;)
Yup. Feelin' about the same. Shelved previous finished work after much querying without much response. Halfway through next project. Liking this one bunches, but the querying process looks SO far away at this point. Another project tickling at the back of my mind and won't leave me alone. Sigh. A writer's life, eh? Sucktacular, sometimes. It's true.
I'm not particularly a 'Monday Hater', but I am in a bit of a writing low spot.
I think my problem is that I expect too much from my current status in life. I have 4 little people, and in the end that translates to: I'm a mom, mom is what I am...that's all for now...don't even think about doing anything else.
and, some days I'm ok with that, but some days I'm not.
It is a loooong, sucky ride sometimes. I totally get that. But, when we finally get to the spot we want to be (and we WILL get there), we can say we earned it, at least. Think how annoying we would be if our story didn't include any bumps and dips? I'd hate that person. ;)
Sure, Mondays suck, but take some solace in the fact that we're all here commiserating with you. My latest ride on the query-go-round has had its "ups and downs" *groan* but no one said it would be easy.
Chin up! How can I pretend to be taking life in stride if I can't emulate your borrowed confidence? ;)
I am not sure how you guys do it all these years... it's a TOUGH TOUGH hill!
Today... I am a little frustrated with it ALL!
Agreed. Feeling a bit low on the writing front, but trying to keep going forward. Trying not to compare my failures to other people's successes.
I'm deep in the middle of major edits, so yeah, confidence in my writing ability is pretty much non-existent at this point :)
You are awesome Elana - hang in there, it will happen for you, of that I have no doubt at all :)
Honestly, I've hit a rut and it's kind of frustrating. I would love to spend my hours writing and writing away but:
a) classes.
b) STUCK.
I can't resolve a particular plot point. To be honest, I haven't had time to sit down and try to resolve it, but that's still my fault for not making time somewhere.
The good thing about a roller coaster is when you go down, you are bound to go up again. Good luck! I think you're a good writer, whatever that counts for on your esteem-o-meter. :-)
Yes today is feeling remarkably sucktacular. On the flip side, just heard a new word I love today. Sucktacular, so got that's pretty cool.
So, let's take this admittedly sucky Monday and do one bloody thing we're proud of today. Whaddya say? Then we'll mope for the rest. I'm in.
And my secret word verification is DIESTORM... What does THAT mean?
I feel exactly the same today and last week and for a while. I'm just waiting here with it. It will pass.
I'm neither a Monday person nor a morning person, so I feel you on the "ugh!" vibe today.
*hugs*
Sending some good vibes your way.
Oh and don't let the Query Carnival get you down. Remember, you are a great writer. The fact that you have made it to the front of the line to ride the giant Query roller coaster is a huge thing by it's self.
I'm feeling pretty good, I just got a positive response from a writing contest.
And also - 5 days till Jimmy Buffett. And Fall is quickly approaching, its my favorite!
I love roller coasters, but I don't like to be on them all the time. And clowns totally creep me out.
The Query Carnival is exceptionally sucktacular--I agree with you there! But I also think you are an exceptional writer, and I think you know it too.
Borrowed confidence is not a bad thing. Because the more you pretend to be confident, the more it becomes a reality. And looking back a year from now, you might be having another suctacular Monday, but you'll be leaps and bounds ahead of where you are now. As long as you're making progress, more forward than backward, then you can make it past the bumps in the road. When you're down, there's nowhere to go but up =)
I'm still really peeved at about something that happened with my writing on Friday.
I can't go into detail about it. I'll be professional
I will say I wasn't the only one left scratching my head and wondering, "What the . . . ?"
I'm with Scott. Have faith in your abilities. We read you; we know you can write. Look at all you've accomplished so far and be proud. And then take a deep breath and remember that Monday always ends...
Hang in there, girl! Your writing is fabulous - don't doubt it for a minute.
I wish the whole roller coater ride was over once you land an agent, but unfortunately, I'm still riding. Ugh.
I'm still smarting from my "idiot moment" today. I was waiting for the bus to take to class after I dropped the kiddie off to day care. I was already really late. I'm waiting for this bus for like 40 minutes getting agitated. So I see the bus coming finally, and some woman stops me on the street to ask me where the nearest hair salon is. Me, being nice, helpful, FORGETTFUL, EASILY DISTRACTED ALICIA--I'm running my freaking mouth and the bus rolled right on past.
I was like "Nooooooooooooooooooo!" and the lady is all like "Oops...sorry."
Another one came in like...20 minutes, but I was uber..UBER late.
As far as my writing goes, I feel guilty. I haven't written in like 4 days. I had my period, I was REALLY REALLY dog tired and these stupid migraines started flaring up. I thought I was pregnant again, but then I saw that I wasn't...so that was awesome...
and oh my god...I'm still talking.
You can't appreciate the highs without the lows. Sounds trite, but it's true. Keep writing. Keep querying. We're all rooting for you.
Maybe it's something in the air. I've been on a rollercoaster for a while now and I'm ready to get off. Maybe the departure platform is coming up...
I'm so sorry about the roller coaster ride. I hope that it peaks at the top soon! Sucktacular is the perfect word. I may just have to start using that. *hugs* Hang in there. 11th hours are just "sucktacular." (See?)
You already know how my Monday went...but just know that you can "borrow" confidence from me ANYTIME!!!
I love the solidarity of the blues. I am feeling drained. And when I feel drained I cannot write and dare not think about writing because all I will be able to think will be horrible things like "give up... give up... become a plumber..."
So I'm drinking herbal tea and wrestling with the slow wifi in the attic to blog-hop. Thank you for the photo of the coaster. I loathe roller coasters and I think it's because my life is quite up and down enough without physically being thrown for a loop.
I have a new tactic. I'm posting it tomorrow on TTTT. That's Tell the Truth Tuesday. * chuckles.
Ahhh the dorky things we do to entertain our blog readers.
No seriously. Writing is effing hard and one day when I do a big keynote at the SCBWI conference in LA, I'm gonna tell everyone. And if I am not asked to do a keynote for the book I haven't sold, I'm gonna do a keynote on my blog.
so there. Plot that!
PS I love you.
Hugs!
You'll get through it!
Mondays are the worst day of the week. I HATE MONDAYS
Chin up, it's Tuesday now!! -shakes the blues from Elana-
I'd have to say I'm on the query freefall, which is a step down from the rollercoaster. Everything just keeps going down...down...down... But that's okay. I haven't even submitted to my favorite agents yet 'cause I'm waiting to flesh out my resumee(sp?). But it's Tuesday! Yay! One day closer to the weekend. *sigh* Oh, and btw, that rollercoaster picture you have is AMAZING! It looks incredibly fun! :]
I'm writing this on Wednesday because Monday was far too sucky for me to even come to the computer.
Some days I sit there and think, "This is what I want to do with my life! Let's work hard, all right!" And then of course there are the days where writing seems selfish. It's hard. Rejections hurt. It's difficult to find the time. My children are little and need Mommy. My community could use my help. Isn't there a meeting that I'm supposed to be at?
But if I were to stop writing, I would shrivel up and die. It's how I work things out. It's my playtime. It's okay to shelves something for a day or a week and go out and find a different playtime. But we always come back because words and stories are in our blood, darn it! Here's hoping that Tuesday, Wednesday, and infinity are much better. :)
-Mercedes
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