At one point in time this was probably just a pole supporting a wire. At one point in my life I just wanted to write. If you could peek into my brain and emotions right now, I imagine it looks something like this.
May has been a rough month for me. As April neared its end, I looked forward to May with the highest expectations for something. I didn’t know why, but I knew May began a new season for me. I didn’t know what to expect, but I must have had something in mind, because things did not turn out the way I envisioned.
For the first time since college graduation, I suffered the curse:
We’d like to work with you, but you don’t have enough experience. Why don’t you come back to use when you’ve got more experience?
Looking at the tangled mess of the past five years of my writing career, I can’t distinguish the hopes and dreams from reality. Everything has become so entwined that it’s hard to sort one thread from the next. Is this the end of one line and the beginning of another? Is it time to add a new line? Should I chop down the pole and start over (or walk away)? I don’t know.
What I do know, however, is that writing is a chore. A hassle. A frustration. I could suffer through that for a paycheck, but it has been five years of so much work with no ROI. If I’m not going to get paid for what I do, I might as well start enjoying it again. That starts here.
I’m cutting back on the writing posts. I wouldn’t take writing advice from someone who can’t get published in the Christian market, so why would you? With that in mind, I’m reducing my schedule by half – one post per week – and I’m only writing twice a month. Here’s what you can expect:
1st: Featured Author
8th: Writing/Editing/Blogging Post
15th: Guest Post
22nd: Recap – What’s Going On
I’m going to spend the rest of my energy on the things I enjoy writing: my novels, personal essays, local news, and my original blogs. I started this blog because I wanted to have something writing related for my writing career, but I don’t really enjoy it (and I’m sure it shows). It’s also not a good representation of who I am or how I write. To see that, you need to visit the blogs I enjoy.
Life with Linda: See what happens when a couple and their cats welcome their special-needs, animal-loving, sports-crazy, ready-to-help aunt into their home – www.kavicvb.blogspot.com
Yooper Stewart: A little bit red neck, a little bit Martha Stewart – www.yooperstewart.com
The Barn Door: Seeing the world through midwestern eyes – www.thebarndoor.net (I post on the 3rd of every month)
That’s what’s going on right now. Here’s to a better summer.
Karin, don’t give up. I’m particularly touched by your statement: “I’m cutting back on the writing posts. I wouldn’t take writing advice from someone who can’t get published in the Christian market, so why would you?” We all have wisdom to share. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t been published. I’ve been writing for the Christian market for over 10 years, and I don’t get accepted as much as I’d like. Many newbie writers won’t listen to anyone who hasn’t published a book, but they’re missing a lot of wisdom when they take that approach.
On my blog, I post about what’s worked for me and what hasn’t. I do some how-to on blogging because I find that writers often want more info on that. You just haven’t found your niche. Take a rest. While you’re doing those other things you say you’re planning to do, you’ll have an inspiration. I’m sure of it.