Breathe. Chin up. Begin Again. #IWSG #AMWRITING
[I wrote this post as a member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our worries and also offer support and encouragement to each other on the first Wednesday of every month. If you’re a writer like me and you’re looking for a bit of support, you can click the link and sign up here]
This month’s awesome Co-Hosts feature other fabulous writing friends with me, Natalie Aguirre,Jennifer Lane, MJ Fifield, Lisa Buie-Collard, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor!
Check out our IWSG homepage for recent news and events. And as always, thank you to founder Alex J. Cavaugh 🙂
***
I needed an extra push to start writing again.
I recently received editor feedback on my second draft of my work in progress. The nine-page letter sent me on a roller coast of ups and down, smiles and frowns. My shoulders sank an inch with each of the seven main points I realized I still needed to change and consider.
I’m coping. I’m smiling again. Seven points isn’t all that bad, right?
If your lost and floating someplace away from your words like I am, I’ve found some inspiring writing thoughts to get us both grounded again:
“You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.”
― Jodi Picoult
“Yes,” I can’t help thinking to myself, even though I’m still glaring at the computer monitor.
I think all writing is a disease. You can’t stop it.”
— William Carlos Williams
I’m lifting my rib cage a little higher and a one-sided smile tugs at my mouth. Of course I’ll write and revise. I have no other choice.
“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.”
— Anne Frank
I’m rolling my shoulders back. My mind begins to race with possibility.
A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.”
— Richard Bach
I’m lifting my chin, and now I might be popping my knuckles and wiggling my fingers super excited, eager to begin one of the seven points at a time.
“Read a thousand books, and your words will flow like a river.”
― Lisa See
Wow! Just wow!
Okay. I’m convinced. I have four whole days of vacation ahead of me.
I’m ready.
How about you?
Posted on July 3, 2019, in Uncategorized, worries, writing tips. Bookmark the permalink. 65 Comments.
Cloud Nine Girl 
Oh I love these quotes and your reactions to them. I especially like William Carlos Williams… Happy 4th! http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
Happy 4th Lisa! Thank you for stopping in 🙂
Sorry forgot to say, thanks for co-hosting this month!
One can’t help but be inspired by the quotes you posted. I especially liked, “You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” Glad you are recovering from seven point of challenge. Thank you for co-hosting July IWSG blog hop.
Lynn La Vita @ Writers Supporting Writers
Thank you so much Lynn 🙂
Great quotes that’ll get those super eager fingers dancing over the computer keys!!!
Also, thank you for co-hosting!! 🙂
Thank you so much Catharina 🙂
Darn auto correct. Cathrina. I am so sorry 🙂
Great post! Yes, you described reactions to editor feedback so well. It is a roller coaster. No matter how well the work is written, there’s always something they find that needs a little tweaking. And that always stings a bit. Love how your attitude shifted throughout and you’re now ready to tackle it. Kudos to you!
Thank you so much Trisha, for stopping in. I appreciate your kind words 🙂
You can make those changes! Then your story will rock.
Thanks for co-hosting today.
Thank you so much Alex 🙂
Go for it! You can do it! 🙂
Thank you Madeline 🙂
You chose some perfect quotes, Erika. Thanks for sharing them with us today and thanks for co-hosting.
Thanks for co-hosting with me. I can relate to the Jodi Picoult quote. As I write my first draft of new chapters, I remind myself of that quote and the reward of editing which I like better once I get some words down.
Good luck with your edits!
Great quotes! The Picoult one is so true. I love your attitude. You’ve consciously taken your initial reaction to the feedback and turned it 180 into a positive approach to tackling your edits. Your story will be all the better for them. Can’t wait to read it when it’s finished 🙂
You really are the sweetest, Ellen. Big hugs 🙂
Every time I think I’ve finished it turns out I haven’t 😦 The Richard Bach quote is te kick in the butt for me!
Thank you 🙂
Enjoy your vacation 🙂 Each round of editing is a chance to learn and hone our craft. Good luck!
Thank you Ronel 🙂
I love this journey through your thoughts and the decision to begin again! Way to go!
I’m starting anew this month, too, with a new project (others are on revision or on vacation from me) and a new attitude.
Happy Writing!
Wonderful quotes! How awesome for you to be so far along in the journey. I’m close to finishing the first draft of my first novel and the excitement is driving my work. I’m sure the revision process will require the same reflection you’re experiencing right now. And yes, I’m ready. We can do this. Thanks for co-hosting today.
All it took was a little inspiration to fire you back up again.
Yes, and letting the changes digest, too 🙂
Thanks for co-hosting today!
Lacking in writing mojo lately but there’s nothing like a good quote to give you a helpful push. Always liked that quote by Jodi Picoult and Richard Bach. I came across this particular quote not long after I started writing again almost six years ago. And like to quote it whenever I need it.:
“It is perfectly okay to write garbage–as long as you edit brilliantly.”― C. J. Cherryh
I’m not sure if non-writers are aware how much courage it takes to be an author. The first hurdle is that blank page. Then it’s facing the editor’s critique. And, finally, those reader book reviews can drive a writer to terrible thoughts – like giving up. So glad your courage is made of the strong stuff. Well done! Thank you for co-hosting, Erika.
A nine page edit sounds like terrific feedback. Run with that! Congratulations on the work in progress and its imminent success!
Mary at Play off the Page
That’s very sweet of you Mary. Thank you 🙂
Talk about encouragement and stimulation! I love the quotes you picked and your positive attitude. What I would do to even have an editor (or the money to pay for one anyway :-)). Or better, an agent!
You have a good stating point. You can do it! As for me, first I need to find time and a comfortable environment to work on my memoir. These are not easy to find when one lives on the road…
Those are wonderful quotes! And yay to the editor feedback. Even if it means lots of work and some frowns, I always am glad to have a solid basis to go on. I’m sure you’ll do great. Happy writing!
I agree with the Anne Frank quote–“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” But, edits from editors can really test that premise!
Those are some excellent thought-provoking quotes. Sometimes we all need to step back and reevaluate who we are and what we are doing.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
That was very inspiring. Lots of great quotes to get me writing.
Hi,
I love your quotes because they are so true and very uplifting.
Enjoy the rest of your vacation and thank you for cohosting.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Thank you so much Pat 🙂
Great quotes! I know I often get discouraged when faced with having to make changes. These little tidbits boost one’s soul.
good luck with the edits!
Thank you Jennifer 🙂
I love Jodi’s quote! I tell that to people all the time!
Great quotes! Enjoy your day’s off and then back to it. You’ve got this!
Terrific quotes. Love your reaction to them–been there. Sounds like you have a good handle on the edits. Good luck. Thanks for co-hosting.
Thank you Diane 🙂
Great quotes, Erika. Don’t get discouraged by the editor’s critique. And don’t follow her ‘points’ blindly either. Think about them and only change what you agree with 100%. Your editor is human, like everyone else, and human reaction to art (and fiction is art) is always subjective. Another editor might give you 5 different points, or 2, or 25. It’s more often than not a matter of personal taste and doesn’t reflect the quality of your writing.
When I tried to find a publisher for my first fantasy novel a few years ago, I got an acceptance and a contract. I celebrated. Then the publisher assigned me an editor, and the editor didn’t like my heroine. She sent me a letter with many points that should be changed. But I couldn’t do it. Those changes would make my protagonist totally different, and I couldn’t twist her personality to conform to someone else’s views of what was right. I refused and broke the contract. Later, I found another publisher, and the novel was published with only minor alterations.
Trust in yourself before you trust in anyone else.
I have that Jodi Picoult quote and the William Carlos Williams quote hanging in my office. I find them to be just so incredibly true.
Enjoy your vacation days!
And thank you for co-hosting this month!
Thank you so much 🙂
There’s critism and then there’s constructive critism. I strive for the latter. It’s the only way to grow as a writer. As long as the points are doable, feel proud you got this far. It’s the journey. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Thank you so much Anna 🙂
Thank you for all the encouraging quotes. Nine pages? I don’t blame you for being discouraged. Keep the faith – you have your own unique voice and story to tell! https://www.dianeweidenbenner.com/iwsg-first-wednesday-favorites/
Thanks for sharing your pointed-out-by-another writing insecurities – and thanks for commenting on my blog! I relish the binds and bonds we share with other insecure writers
I love that Virginia Woolf quote! It’s perfect for the IWSG question 🙂 Thanks so much for co-hosting this month. And good luck as you lift your shoulders and type on. You’ve got this!
Great quotes, Erika! Anne Frank was so young, but so filled with courage. Good luck with those changes ~ You can do it! thanks for co-hosting!
I love the Virginia Woolfe quote. I definitely need inspiration right now.
Awesome post! I’m still the amateur that didn’t quit. Keep on truckin!
Although it doesn’t feel funny at the time, it must be amusing for others to watch writers go through stages of grief when they receive editorial feedback. My first stage is often shock/denial (She can’t be reading the same manuscript I am!) followed by anger (What? She doesn’t understand my characters!!!) followed by bargaining (what if I change this not that?), sadness (I suck as a writer) and finally acceptance. My editor always makes my writing better but it is an emotional process for sure!
Happy Fourth of July, Happy IWSG and thank you for co-hosting this month.
Juneta @ Writer’s Gambit
Hey, I still remember the first time my critique group came back with their suggestions. I can hardly imagine what it must feel like coming from a professional.
Thanks for co-hosting this month’s IWSG post!
I was stunned at first, but now after a couple of days her comments make a great deal of sense and I am ready to push myself again. Thank you for stopping in Ken 🙂
The way I look at it is every bit of constructive criticism I get is an opportunity to learn and grow as a writer so that I never make the same mistake again. If you see it as a positive thing, it actually feels good, even if you realize you’ve got a lot more work ahead of you.
Have fun editing! 😀
Some excellent quotes you’ve chosen as your inspiration! I hope you’ve found your vacation time as productive as you wanted! @mirymom1 from
Balancing Act
Needed to read these quotes today.
I am happy I could help 🙂
These are wonderful quotes, especially Anne Frank’s. Criticism is far better than no response at all. Apathy is much worse. What can one do with that? You earned the time they spent sending your their thoughts. That’s a wonderful thing, even though it stings. You are on the path to greatness.
I’m rather late to this party! But better late than never, right? 😜
By now, I’m sure you’ve worked on those seven points and made progress.
Chin up. Begin. Again. On we go!
Thanks for the great quotes, Erika!