Success only flourishes in perseverance -- ceaseless, restless perseverance.
--Baron Manfred Von Richtofen

Friday, November 5, 2010

In the Doldrums

Yeah, kind of like that.
Ever since I finished my project last week, I've been a bit of a slump. I have that feeling. You know the one. The "Why am I even wasting my time on this? Nobody wants to read my fiction. I should quit writing. I suck." Yeah, I hate that feeling.

Maybe it's because I had a rejection letter waiting for me first thing the morning after I finished, "Renegade." Nothing like a rejection to take the wind right out of your sails.

Maybe it's because now I have to type the thing and I really hate typing. My fingers fumble all over the keyboard. I make a million mistakes. It takes forever! I can't type "couldn't" right to save my life. (I didn't type it right just now.) I always type "about" instead of "above," though I am making progress. I typed "abouve" yesterday. Closer.

Maybe it's because I want so bad to get into an anthology I submitted "Consecrated" to that it's starting to drive me crazy. (What happened to submit and forget? I don't know. It isn't working in this case. I'm even dreaming about the darn submission!)

I think the most likely reason though is that I'm not actually writing. It makes me feel all edgy and out of sorts when I'm not putting pen to paper every day.

There. That's more like it.
Not to fear. I am going to start a new novella soon. It'll be the third and final in this series of novellas that all go together (Consecrated, Renegade, and the new one--Refuge.) Fortunately, that slumpy feeling always passes. Just writing this post has made me happier.

What do you do when you're in a slump? I know it happens to everyone.

21 comments:

Karen Lange said...

Hang in there, Angie! I heard years ago that this is a normal thing when any kind of project is completed. I keep this in mind; it helps me work through and moving forward.

Have a good weekend:)
Blessings,
Karen

Stephanie McGee said...

*hugs*

I always feel a little like a balloon wafting in the breeze when I finish a project. It's why I usually can't wait more than a couple of days to start the first read-through on the way to revision nightmares.

Jennifer Shirk said...

Oh, I feel ya. I get into those slumps all the time. Sometimes taking a short break and reading a good book helps.

Linz said...

Okay - 1) I will ALWAYS want to read your fiction, so that should never be a concern.

2) I'm a great typer, so if you want to mail me your manuscript (via something totally trackable and safe) I'd be happy to type it for you.

3) I love you!!! Keep smiling!

T. M. Hunter said...

Must be something in the air...I've felt the same way for a week or two now...

Granted, it could be the days getting shorter that helps that feeling gain traction.

Hopefully we all get back in the swing of things soon...

Angie said...

Thank you, everyone. Lindsay, I love you too! You are too sweet. I may take you up on that (but have you seen my handwriting?) Todd, I know what you mean. I always have a hard time adjusting to the early darkness. Hope you get back into it soon too!

Sheila Deeth said...

I read my friends' blogs.

Terry W. Ervin II said...

When I'm felling like a slump is coming on, I work on something related to writing--online research, reading and studying a technique another writer used in a novel, write a blog post, or something that is productive, but maybe not necessarily putting new words to a writing project.

Hang in there. Rejections aren't fun, that's for sure. But the closing of one door enables the opportunity to seek other ones that might be open.

Tana said...

I hate slumps. I'm in them often and don't care to stay there when I am. I drink lots of coffee and pray my way out. Also a good book helps tons. *hugs*

Angie said...

Thanks, Terry. Good advice!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I have a post scheduled next week with my own self pitty. You beat me. I hate being beat. That really puts me in the doldrums. ;O)

Regards,
Mac

Windy Aphayrath said...

When I'm slumped, I usually do anything I can to stay away from the computer. I keep jotting ideas in a notebook, spend time with my family ... go visit friends. It can take a day or a week, but by the end of it, I realize again why I am writing and it makes whatever I'm slumping along about seem to be worth the efforts.

Good luck!

Tracy Loewer said...

Slumps stink big time - hang in there!

Rosslyn Elliott said...

I've been in one too. Hang in there! They always blow through.

Carolyn V. said...

Brainstorming with my writing buddies always helps me. I hope you get out of the slump soon. =)

MTeacress said...

I get out of the house and do something fun with my kids or friends - to get my mind off it, and come back fresh. Your post makes me think of Dr. Seuss: unslumping yourself is not easily done!

Angela said...

I'm sorry you feel slumpy. I've felt that way so so many times . . . Three novella though, that's awesome!

What do I do when I'm in a slump? I read so I can forget I'm in a slump. It's really not healthy and it drives my husband crazy. I read and read and read to avoid until I have books coming out of my ears. Then when I'm forced to face what's depressing me I'm usually so tired from reading for days that I'm forced to let it go. Does that even make sense?

Oh, well . . . I hope you feel better soon.

ali cross said...

Ah, I'm sorry you're feeling down. ITA with the not-writing thing. That almost always gets me down.

AND I agree with the "submit and forget" thing. Uh, NOT. I start to get antsy after a while and it starts to kind of bring me down.

((hugs))

Tina Scott, author, artist said...

I know just how you feel. Rejections are the worst--but writing is the best.

Brenda Susan said...

Isn't it weird that just posting a small blog does help a bit? I think that we are addicts. We need our writing "fix" any way we can get it, then all is well! Ha!

I type faster and better than I can write freehand so I love getting on the computer. I also edit as I go, like you do. It has to feel right before I can start the next paragraph. But still willing to make it better later.

Happy writing!

Jackee said...

Aww! There's your cute, smiling face. :o)

I've been in the doldrums lately too and have been struggling for the motivation to edit--for the same reasons (a harsh rejection).

The truth is I usually can't break out until I can name the thing that's holding me back from thinking I'm good enough. This time it's because I've written a very hard story to write. Now that I recognize it's hard and not going to be perfect at draft #2, I can move on.

Thanks for sharing, Ang!!