Write. Delete. Revise. Write. Delete. Revise. Repeat. Sound familiar? Whether I write with coffee at 6am, when the house quiets at 10pm, or in car line waiting to pick up one of my boys (did this a lot during their middle school and high school years), the pattern is always the same. Peppered with swells of excitement (I finished a first draft), disgust (this is the worst thing I’ve ever written), hope (actually it’s not so bad), and finally, back to excitement (I love it! My agent loves it!). Then that whole emotional path repeats when I’m out on sub (for another post). Moving from Delete to Write or Disgust to Hope often feels like there are shackles clamped around my ankles. Will I get there? Can I get there? How to get there?
That’s when the power of positivity comes knocking. As I plow ahead down this journey to YES, there is almost nothing more important than surrounding myself with people who inspire, encourage, and support me. Don’t misunderstand, I’m not just talking about my 100 year old Gram who loves me unconditionally, but also the writers and friends and family in my life who tell me when my plot is stagnant or my characters don’t feel whole. Constructive feedback is what makes a good story truly great. Staying positive enables me to revise and still believe in myself and my story. Wine, chocolate, and a great pair of shoes also help!
Stay positive. The YES is coming!
