Progress?
2017 has gotten off to an...interesting start, to say the least. I won't comment on wider social and political events other than to say some of it has definitely affected me and my mental health. I'm also going through a prolonged period of partial-insomnia - partly to do with a run of night shifts knocking my body clock way off - which is bleeding into every aspect of my life; making me tired, unmotivated, and susceptible to my always lingering anxieties and depression. It's also affecting my writing at the moment, in that I'm struggling to feel enthused about anything, as I keep starting and abandoning idea after idea. But at the same time, I try to remind myself that I've already finished three short stories this year, which isn't too shabby for me. Add to that, I'm a bit hopeful for one of them which has now been subbed, and also my novella Reflections which is still in consideration. Fingers crossed, and hopefully the mojo will return, even if it doesn't quite feel like it at the moment.
But as much as I sometimes want to - as easy as it would be - I refuse to give up, to give in to my demons (and there are many, many demons in my messed up head, believe me). I have more ideas than I've ever had before, I'm now making headway with writing more literary stuff under a pseudonym (and am quietly hopeful for that side of things), and I still feel that I'm constantly improving and refining whatever skill I have. Which is, I think, the most important thing for a writer; to feel constantly dissatisfied with your work (though not to the point of crushing self-doubt) so that you are always striving to improve, to refine, to push the limits of what you think you're capable of. The content of the stories won't appeal to all, but hopefully the prose, the pacing, the rhythms, the character detail, and logic within the story will all continue to get better and be recognised.
Currently I'm working on a couple or three short stories for submission calls with specific deadlines, which I hope will be successful, adding to the few shorts I already have due out this year. After I've done those, I'll be turning my attention to a couple of novellas, and, I think, will be returning to my novel sequel to The Last Bus, which I've tried to start a few times. It's always there in the back of my head, and I feel that now is the time to finally bring it to life.
Peace out folks; I'm off to try and sleep. Wish me luck,
But as much as I sometimes want to - as easy as it would be - I refuse to give up, to give in to my demons (and there are many, many demons in my messed up head, believe me). I have more ideas than I've ever had before, I'm now making headway with writing more literary stuff under a pseudonym (and am quietly hopeful for that side of things), and I still feel that I'm constantly improving and refining whatever skill I have. Which is, I think, the most important thing for a writer; to feel constantly dissatisfied with your work (though not to the point of crushing self-doubt) so that you are always striving to improve, to refine, to push the limits of what you think you're capable of. The content of the stories won't appeal to all, but hopefully the prose, the pacing, the rhythms, the character detail, and logic within the story will all continue to get better and be recognised.
Currently I'm working on a couple or three short stories for submission calls with specific deadlines, which I hope will be successful, adding to the few shorts I already have due out this year. After I've done those, I'll be turning my attention to a couple of novellas, and, I think, will be returning to my novel sequel to The Last Bus, which I've tried to start a few times. It's always there in the back of my head, and I feel that now is the time to finally bring it to life.
Peace out folks; I'm off to try and sleep. Wish me luck,
No comments have been added yet.
