No canons to the head today, work was actually busy and I get OT tomorrow, awwwww yiiiiis, rackin’ up overtime so I can buy important things like RISE OF THE GUARDIANS and NIFTY GADGETS AT ANIME DETOUR and stuff.
Randomly, um… if I posted little snippets of all of those original stories I keep talking about that I want to try and get published, would anyone read them?
Video game reviews yay! The PS3/XBOX/Handheld/Wii U and Wii should be my reviews. I wrote them over the summer and the website just went live, so yay! Here’s hoping to more writing opportunities in regards to things I love (video games) that actually pays well.
So I realized that I’ve talked about the joint series I have going on with my partner, but I haven’t said much about it. During NaNoWriMo we worked together on what will be the second book (we have seven planned), and in doing so we ended up going back to the first story and adding a lot more details.
I want to share a sort of synopsis of the story, maybe post a snippet if it’s something that sounds interesting to people. I want honest feedback, because this is something we want to be published.
Plot summary like thing under the cut, in one of the main character’s POV :)
New review written on a comic series I got to read, for those of you who likes boys who like other boys (or who just want to have a good laugh) ^^
So here’s something I’ve learned that comes along with writing: rejection. To which, you get wonderful feedback to “keep trying” and to “not give up” because “you’re a good writer” and “talented” and all that. These words are good to hear, and are true :)
However, that doesn’t stop the thoughts lingering of “I suck” and “my story will never be good enough” and “I’m never going to get anywhere with this.”
I’m here to tell you something very important: writing, or any other creative outlet, is one of the most difficult things you can do. Don’t let people fool you with, “writing is easy” or “not a real job” or whatnot because you know what? Being creative is HARD! So what you don’t have to study difficult maths and sciences. So what your midterm is writing a story instead of solving equations. So what your text book is actually eight novels instead of one giant book. It’s. Hard. It’s hard to create something that people will enjoy. It’s hard to entertain people with your story, or art, or performance, or whatever it is you’re doing. It’s hard to make something that people will be emotionally invested in.
With that in mind, here’s the next thing I need to share: it’s as difficult as it is heartbreaking. You spend time creating these characters, this world, this plot. You know that it’s nothing against you if someone doesn’t like it, but at the same time, there’s this feeling of, “But I made this thing and worked so hard and you don’t like it?" So you start thinking, "I must be a shitty writer if this person said no thank you to my story,” and it hurts. Because you made this thing. You put your heart into these characters. You wrote this plot, then rewrote it, then rewrote it, then edited it, re-edited, and re-edited it. This essentially is you on a piece of paper. This is your story. You know these characters by heart because they’re yours. You know this land, these scenes, this is you.
Then… you get the “thanks but no thanks” and, suddenly, your heart sinks.
The words of encouragement help (and you will get them from loved ones, that’s what they’re there for) but you know what you should do?
Take a moment to feel sad.
Take a moment to be upset that someone said no.
Take a moment to be frustrated, and cry, and vent.
Take a moment to step back, get some ice cream, watch some T.V., play some video games, or whatever it is you do to cheer yourself up when you’re having a bad day.
Treat it like a bad day. Like, you just had an argument with a loved one and you’re upset, or you had a crappy day at work and you need to rant. What do you do to let it all out? To let go? Do you go shopping? Do you go to a movie? Do you buy yourself something nice? Do you eat a ton of junk food? Do you hang out with friends? Do you curl up in bed and pet your kitty? Or puppy? Whatever it is you do, go out and do it.
Because then, you’ll feel better. You’ll sleep better. And then, tomorrow, you can wake up, feel refreshed, and remember the words of encouragement you received. Then you can take a deep breath, dust off your story, and send it out again.
I’ve sent my story to five places so far and already got two rejections in one week. Does it hurt? Hell fucking yes. Do I suck as a writer? No. Do I feel like I do? Yes. Am I going to stop? No. Am I going to eat a bunch of ice cream when I get home? Yes. Am I going to feel pathetic while doing it? Yes. Am I going to vent? That’s what this post is. Do I feel better?
Actually, a little yeah ^^;;;
But anyhow, that’s the moral of the story. Take a moment to feel sad, but only a moment, because somewhere, out there, is the right person waiting to take your story to new heights. You just have to keep trying, but sometimes, you have to take a moment to eat ice cream.
I submitted my story over to Harper Voyager this morning for their open call. Scared? YOU BET I AM! *anxious feelings of anxiousness go!* But now that the story is done, I can look at other places too, and agents, and just… OH GOD I’M TRYING TO DO THIS THING!
Just finished the last chapter of the story I’m trying to get published. Huh fucking zah! Now time to edit, edit, EDIT, then whore myself out to as many places as I can. Dreams coming true? You betcha!
Bad news: I lost my job yesterday.
Good news: I lost my job yesterday.
Better news: I got a new job offer today that starts in 2 ½ weeks that pays more and is more related to my major.
The best news ever: The book I’ve been working on is at the end, will be done shortly, and ready to be re-edited and sent to publishers *keeping fingers crossed forever*
The even more bestest news: Working to make my writing dreams come true :)
