This and That and a Word about the Journey
I wanted to let you know that the lovely Sara Hantz asked me to be part of the new Teen Fiction Cafe Blog. So come pay us a visit. I am blogging about bad boys.
And yes, my daughter did INDEED win the lunch with the school's custodian (see post below). Will surely blog about that when the lunch happens. She is thrilled.
And . . . for no other reason than to say this is what consumes me . . . my iPod is now over a full DAY of songs. A milestone. I can go 24+ hours with music.
And finally, TWO cyber friends I adore dearly, both, within 24 hours of each other, emailed and called me for advice about careers. It was about writing what you love versus getting a foot in the door. Market (what's hot) versus what speaks to you. And assorted stuff in between.
And in this SAME week, I also heard from two aspiring writers who were starting to have doubts. One . . . it was precipitated by reading one of my books, as in I can't write as well as you.
ALL writers are plagued with self-doubt I think.
And here's the thing . . . the longer I am in this biz, the more writers I know, the more I realize there is no career trajectory. It's a unique journey. And every writer's path is completely different, marked by periods of self-doubt, confusion, writer's block, inertia, ennui, and exuberant bursts of genius.
But I sincerely believe those journeys are unique and solitary. And only YOU know what to do. And even if you DON'T know what to do, wing it. Because it's all about the journey. There are few missteps in life. I believe that with all my heart. Even if you make a choice that seems to have been a wrong choice, it will educate you. So embrace your journey, enjoy the ride.
And when you hit the top of a hill? Close your eyes, take your hands off the handlebars, and fly down it and up the next one. Just live each day as if it's a gift. Love deeply and fully. Write with all you've got. And in the end, it all seems to work out for the best.
Peace,
E
And yes, my daughter did INDEED win the lunch with the school's custodian (see post below). Will surely blog about that when the lunch happens. She is thrilled.
And . . . for no other reason than to say this is what consumes me . . . my iPod is now over a full DAY of songs. A milestone. I can go 24+ hours with music.
And finally, TWO cyber friends I adore dearly, both, within 24 hours of each other, emailed and called me for advice about careers. It was about writing what you love versus getting a foot in the door. Market (what's hot) versus what speaks to you. And assorted stuff in between.
And in this SAME week, I also heard from two aspiring writers who were starting to have doubts. One . . . it was precipitated by reading one of my books, as in I can't write as well as you.
ALL writers are plagued with self-doubt I think.
And here's the thing . . . the longer I am in this biz, the more writers I know, the more I realize there is no career trajectory. It's a unique journey. And every writer's path is completely different, marked by periods of self-doubt, confusion, writer's block, inertia, ennui, and exuberant bursts of genius.
But I sincerely believe those journeys are unique and solitary. And only YOU know what to do. And even if you DON'T know what to do, wing it. Because it's all about the journey. There are few missteps in life. I believe that with all my heart. Even if you make a choice that seems to have been a wrong choice, it will educate you. So embrace your journey, enjoy the ride.
And when you hit the top of a hill? Close your eyes, take your hands off the handlebars, and fly down it and up the next one. Just live each day as if it's a gift. Love deeply and fully. Write with all you've got. And in the end, it all seems to work out for the best.
Peace,
E
posted by Erica Orloff at 6:25 PM
6 Comments:
I'm deep in the self-doubt mode right now.
When I packed my manuscript off to a New York agent last week, I felt as though a part of my soul was heading out into the cold, cruel world now, subject to inspection and dissection and, ultimately, acceptance or rejection.
It's not easy watching your baby leave the safe warm nest of the hard drive.
Is it ready? Am I ready? Do I have what it takes to really be a published author? To compete in the majors? The big leagues?
It's never easy letting go, but it's all part of the journey.
Now I wait.
And that's the hardest part of all.
I love that visual! My hands in the air, the breeze in my face! :P
In my heart, I've always believed the journey is as-- if not more-- important than the destination. Sometimes I need a reminder. Glad I know where to find it.
T'anks!
Great stuff for your daughter! It'll be one of the most memorable lunches of her life. Even if she'll probably be too excited to eat a single bite!
Jude:
It is a cruel world, and why we do it, I have no idea--which goes back to the journey. You have to love your journey or the biz will eat away at your insides.
E
Lainey:
That's the way I always think aboutt the process. Riding without my hands on the handlebars. It's an adrenaline rush.
I love it.
E
P.S. YES! Lunch will be great, I am sure. He must be the most special man.
YOu know my agent rejected a proposal that I just LOVED (and still do) and it makes it really hard to keep focusing on new stuff. I don't feel like writing what I should write (contep erotica) and I want to go write stuff I want to write (mainstream WF and urban fantasy) but deep down inside I'm thinking she's going to reject them too.
amie:
Been there. God, have I been there. I have way too many interests and write across a spectrum, some things being "hotter" than others at different times.
E
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