Ahem.
Yes, I am standing on a soapbox. It’s not a big soapbox, but still.
Let’s talk about art. Writers are artists, right? *insert nod here*
Writers are some of the biggest risk-taking, kick-butt artists around. Now, I’m not an artist in the traditional sense, so keep in mind that I’m terribly biased here, but I dabble in painting and wanted to be an animator in high school, so I have some idea of what other artists go through. And I’m having a really hard time coming up with another genre of artist who labors for so long to create their product, undergoes such a massive amount of critiquing, reworks their baby, and then willingly opens themselves up for waves of rejections.
A painter paints a canvas. It may take forever before the last splash of paint is applied, but once that paint is dried it’s a done deal. You can hang it on the wall in your living room, your grandma’s kitchen, or a gallery wall, but it’s done.
A writer types the last word in their first draft and they’ve merely cleared the first hurdle. There’s months, if not years, more work to be done.
Writing should come with a warning label, WARNING: Hazardous to your sanity. Writers are amazing for even attempting this craziness. And I’m going to get all touchy-feely on you here. You are amazing for attempting this craziness. So do something nice for yourself today. I’m going to enjoy some dark chocolate sea salt cashews (sweet and salty and terribly yummy!) and a glass of old vine zinfandel.
What will you do to treat yourself?
LOL
Already enjoying the day immensely. Tomorrow and/or Friday should be even better. Good luck with the revisions.
amen. I'm going to have frosting–a big spoonful of rainbow chip frosting.
Stephanie- I'm glad you're having a good day! I'm just getting ready for bed now.
Wendy- I LOVE rainbow chip frosting! It's good on anything! Well, maybe not everything- like pickles. But cupcakes, strawberries, graham crackers- those are all tasty combos!
Exactly! My daughter caught me with a spoonful and her eyes nearly bugged out of her head. Of course, she wanted a spoonful too–at nearly 7pm. Being the good mother that I am, I told her, "Don't double dip," and then walked off so I wouldn't see my horrible parenting in practice.
Today, I'm going to give up and move a "sent query" agent over to the rejected side because the six week "I will only respond if I'm at all interested" has just passed. Now THAT deserves frosting. I'm not querying any more agents that don't care enough to reject me.
Great post!! I'm not sure how I'm going to treat myself tomorrow (I guess it's later today, since I'm still awake and it's now morning…). Unfortunately, I have to write a big History term paper… and get x-rays. Soo.
Oh, okay, got one. I'm going to watch The Vampire Diaries and eat ice cream!
You are amazing too. I've go to think of something to treat myself with. I'm sure I'll come up with something.
I think musicians go through a very similar process to get their feet in the door– but I don't know that for certain, except that it seems like their rejections are much more horribly public because they get booed off the stage while performing, you know?
But I'm totally with you on the gist of this 🙂 And last night I rewarded myself by walking down to my favorite little Italian place and having a nice dinner with my husband!
Sit in the sunshine and finish a book.
Why thank you. I am amazing. 😉 (and so are you!)
Thanks for the encouragement! If I had seen the warning I may have turned back, too late now I'm hooked.
I'll settle for a hot bath without interruptions.
I am going to have some of this Caramel Delight trail mix I got at Henry's last night… yum 🙂
These posts all sound delicious and I'm mentally going through my cupboards to see what sweet treats I can come up with.
Thanks for the reminder Steph – you're amazing!
Ohhh… You guys are making me hungry! I might have to eat the last piece of flourless chocolate torte in my fridge.
Yummmm!