This is such a great reminder to appreciate the opportunity to write rather than complain about dashed expectations or hopes. When my book came out, the PR team was overwhelmed with the number of books they had to handle (due to being acquired by one of the big publishing companies) but convinced me they could handle it. Since I'd previously been a PR exec, I was constantly disappointed by what I perceived as them not doing enough. There was no benefit to this, and in fact I'd sometimes lose the pleasure of having been published!! This piece is a great reminder to appreciate what is instead of lament what's not.
Really love this one. When I find myself complaining I start to chant, for one. It always helps. I also find that cleaning my room helps dissipate the negative energy and clears the ground for more positive thoughts.
You asked "What one small useful act could you do when you catch yourself complaining about your work?" Mine would be to reread this article over and over - especially the part about complaining. As TMJohnson says, this post was what I needed to hear right now.
Great essay, Cali. Three things I'm grateful for: 1) I have an endless font of ideas available inside my mind; 2) there are people who read what I write and who support me in my creative endeavors; 3) writing gives me a way to work things out that I don't quite understand but is very useful, and I haven't found another way that does the trick.
I really appreciated this post! Thank you for sharing.
This is such a great reminder to appreciate the opportunity to write rather than complain about dashed expectations or hopes. When my book came out, the PR team was overwhelmed with the number of books they had to handle (due to being acquired by one of the big publishing companies) but convinced me they could handle it. Since I'd previously been a PR exec, I was constantly disappointed by what I perceived as them not doing enough. There was no benefit to this, and in fact I'd sometimes lose the pleasure of having been published!! This piece is a great reminder to appreciate what is instead of lament what's not.
Really love this one. When I find myself complaining I start to chant, for one. It always helps. I also find that cleaning my room helps dissipate the negative energy and clears the ground for more positive thoughts.
You asked "What one small useful act could you do when you catch yourself complaining about your work?" Mine would be to reread this article over and over - especially the part about complaining. As TMJohnson says, this post was what I needed to hear right now.
Great post, Cali!
This couldn’t have come at a better time, as I’ve been questioning myself and my writing lately.
My first book hasn’t done as well as I’d hopped and I’ve been wondering if I should give up writing altogether and do something that pays better, lol.
But now, I think I’ll use my state’s free job retraining program to get certified in a skilled trade and write on the side.
Again, thanks for the great read and have a nice weekend.
Great essay, Cali. Three things I'm grateful for: 1) I have an endless font of ideas available inside my mind; 2) there are people who read what I write and who support me in my creative endeavors; 3) writing gives me a way to work things out that I don't quite understand but is very useful, and I haven't found another way that does the trick.