Headcanon: in which being in a creative field is one of the most difficult professions you can strive for
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.
