The Ups and Downs of Being a Writer

I swear sometimes this writing thing is turning me into a manic-depressive (or bipolar, if you prefer the newer term). 

I get a good review.  YAY!

And then I get refused for advertising based on my cover.  :sob:

But then someone complements the cover that got panned.  YAY!

And someone asks when my next book will be out.  YAY!

But then I don't see any sales for days.  :sob:

And my WIP sucks. :sob:

But then people buy my books again.  YAY!

And then I get a negative review.  :sob:

Ultimately, those yay and sob moments effect my general outlook on my writing, which then effects my ability to do my job. Riding high, I can sit down and whip out the pages.  In the depths of despair, I'm lucky if I can write blog posts, let alone work on the things that will eventually make me money.

I know it's all part of the dance.  It sucks, but it's reality and I deal with it.  I have discovered recently that fishing tends to even it all back out again.  For me, anyway.  What's the old saying?  "The worst day fishing is better than the best day working."  Umm, yep.  Whether I'm catching a ton or not getting a nibble, sunny day or pouring rain, bugs or no bugs... I still come back with a clearer outlook.  It's like flushing the system.  Or rebooting.  Or whatever analogy works best for you. 

I think it happens to all of us.  If you know a writer who doesn't face this to some degree, please introduce me to them so I can learn their secret to living on an even keel.  (Or at least the secret of how they're faking it.)  Until then, I'm a manic-depressive writer. 

Today is a good day.  I'm all even.  No spikes or drops.  For now.  We'll see what the rest of the day brings.