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?