Limbo Isn’t Just A Party Game

[image error]This post is part of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog hop. The first Wednesday of every month is Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. The awesome co-hosts for the September 6 posting of the IWSG are Tyrean Martinson, Tara Tyler, Raimey Gallant, and Beverly Stowe McClure!

It’s IWSG day! What are we insecure about this month, everyone?

My insecurity is that right now I’m waiting to hear back from an editor. Is there anything more nerve wracking for an author? To know that your precious manuscript is sitting on someone’s hard drive, waiting to be judged. You wait, and wait, and grow old, and refresh your inbox until your eyes glaze over, and fly into a frenzied panic every time you hear that little alert go off. But it’s just Grandma again, with another funny picture she found online that literally everyone else on the internet has already seen (and it has Minions in it) and you’re like GRANDMA PLEASE, I AM TRYING TO MELT DOWN IN PEACE WOULD YOU STOP CLOGGING UP MY INBOX. I mean, what if you accidentally delete the email from the editor because you were trying to get all of Grandma’s chain emails out of there? Oh my God, what if you already did it days ago??? What if it accidentally went into your spam folder and got deleted FOREVER???

Yes, staying calm and rational during this time is a difficult task. Supposedly, if you focus on other work the time goes faster and you think of it less, but in my experience hahahahahahaha. Not to worry though, said editor eventually gets back to you–either to tell you your story is the greatest thing since fried chicken, or to tell you to burn it and never speak of it to anyone again. Only, in more polite terms.

Meh.

September 6 Question: Have you ever surprised yourself with your writing?

Yes, and it happens often, which is also surprising! Sometimes I’m reading something I haven’t touched in a while and I think “man who wrote this?” and then realize it was me and kind of boggle. Turns out I’m often a better writer than my squirrelly brain likes to let me believe. Of course it’s a double edged sword, because it feels good but you also can’t vainly text everyone you know in that moment and tell them what an awesome writer you are and quote your prose at them.

Well, you could, but these people probably won’t want to hang around you much anymore.

I also surprise myself that I’m much more willing to try new things as I grow as a writer. I’m willing to test different methods, take risks, and approach things differently. I’m always so stuck in my ways, it pleases me when I actually move myself to try something fresh. I guess I’m not as cantankerous as I thought. Now, you damn kids better get off my lawn.

Filed under: IWSG Tagged: blog hop, insecure writer's support group, writing