Honestly, I think every writer has at some point, done this. Good thing it seems to be self correcting. If you are a serious writer like myself, a brief hiatus won't stop you from writing. It may be a struggle, but don't give up. Don't be your own naysayer. There will be plenty more out there. You can excuse yourself, but when other people are the naysayers, it's a whole different ball game.
I have a brother-in-law who has always implied my writing is a waste of time and pointless. Any talk of writing and he rolls his eyes, as if I'm doing the dumbest thing in the world with my time. That hurts. I put a lot of time and effort into my writing. Either for others to enjoy or just myself. I have enough self doubt. I fear I'll never be appreciated as a writer. That feeling is intensified when others are negative. So no, I'm not hiding out from people, or being a hermit I'm simply doing what I love and enjoy.
I love writing and my writing. Be it my usual humorous stories or when I write serious pieces such as this. Sorry for there not being many jokes today, but this is a r.a.n.t. I feel strongly about. You can tell me I'm not funny, you can say I'm not attractive, complain about my shyness, but don't tell me writing is stupid and I'm wasting my time. I don't care what you think. Because I love writing, and I'm going to do it. Go be a naysayer somewhere else.
Some questions for discussion:
Have you had to battle naysayers?
How do you keep yourself encouraged?
Have you ever taken a break from your writing or other hobby you enjoy only to return to it?
What you described in the beginning sounds just like me, and probably every other serious writer.
ReplyDeleteI have a few family members who put down my writing all the time. Who used to only think it was a hobby and would tell me to grow up. They never believed I'd do anything with my writing. Well, I should them! And I will show them yet! And so will you!
I've learned not to talk to my siblings about writing because they don't care. They aren't passionate about it and would be bored.
I love the end of this post. *applauds*
A member of my family was trying to convince me to come out and I said I had some writing to do, he just replied, "No you want to do some writing. You don't have to." I guess non-writers just don't under stand.
DeleteAh, the good ol' naysayers... Where would we be without them? ;) In 2011 I quit my job to write full-time. It was a good job, and I liked it. Contracts and legalese, tax legislation, inheritance planning--what's not to love? Kidding... I really did like it. And I was good at it. So when I quit--and to write?!?--my colleagues looked at me with a mixture of envy and pity. Envy, I suppose, because they also have non-financial-industry-related dreams they'd like to pursue but they haven't been able to work up the courage to walk away from the safety of guaranteed income. And pity because... "She lost it. Dude, call the men in white coats." "She's making the worst mistake of her life."
ReplyDeleteWas it? The biggest mistake of my life? I was published the month before my last day at work. My first print publication came out the following year. And this year my first solo collection is to be released. But I still scrabble to pay the bills. The point being that "success" is relative. And very, very personal.
Naysayers as a motivation--"I'll show them," etc.--work only superficially. It's going to take a loooong time to "show" anybody anything worth showing--and, quite honestly, by the time you have this thing worth showing, you won't care anymore. Why? Because in order to have it, to produce this "masterpiece", it's prerequisite to let go of the ego.
(I don't think the rhyme is a coincidence ;) )
Guilie @ Quiet Laughter
Wow, I wish I could be so bold. I have always dreamed about quitting to concentrate on writing, but I'd need something to fall back on. I don't see making any money any time soon with my writing. But then again, maybe I'm just being my own naysayer.
DeleteI'm wishing you much success!!!!
Your brother-in-law is just jealous because you have a passion and he doesn't.
ReplyDeleteI've had long breaks before. For some reason, I keep coming back to it though.
"For some reason", LOL
DeleteYes, I know what you mean.
Good point about the bro-in-law.
I've definitely given up more than a few times, but I always come back to it because it's my calling and I can't live without it. We are our own worst naysayers most of the time. If you wouldn't take that kind of talk from anyone else, why should you take it from yourself?
ReplyDeleteGood point Megan. Agree 100%
DeleteWriting takes time to practise while share thoughts and ideas with other people.
ReplyDeleteThat's why it's so good to talk with other writers and bloggers. I think only writers understand writers.
DeleteUnfortunately, there will always be doubters that try to inflict their miserable selves upon us. One has to stay focused or we get caught up on their mindset. I started my blog about 6 months ago. I can already see an improvement in my writing. Sure some days I want to just phone it in.. but most days I truly enjoy it. It's what keeps me going.
ReplyDeleteNo Mary, don't ever give up. From what I can see, you are doing a fantastic job with your blog. I'm enjoying it and so are others. I've been blogging for over seven years and I still see things I need to improve on.
DeleteThere you go, some optimism.
I haven't had any saysayers, well not to my face anyway. As long as you're enjoying what you're doing, keep at it.
ReplyDeleteWho ever said writing is enjoyable? LOL
DeleteI do it because I must. Or it feels that way sometime. :)
It’s officially the second half of A to Z. Time to catch that second wind, rest up on Sunday, then it’s that mad dash toward the finish line!
ReplyDeleteStephen Tremp
A to Z Cohost
N is for Numerology
It's half over already? Feels like I'm just getting started.
DeleteThe song by Taylor swift comes to mind with the lyrics "the haters gonna hate".
ReplyDeleteOh yes, and the Decaprio meme.
DeleteI know what its like to have a family member who rolls their eyes whenever you talk about your writing. I never bring it up when this person is around, but others might ask me how my book is coming and this person always rolls their eyes and usually adds a negative comment. It is something like, "You're still tying to be a writer," or, "You mean you haven't finished that book yet?" It drives me nuts.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post. I just dropped by from the challenge to say hello.
Thanks for stopping by. I'm looking forward to checking out your blog.
DeleteCan never understand why some have to be negative. I think Alex (a commenter above) was right, they are probably jealous you are attempting something productive.
Keep up the good work. You can do it!
Ah, the comforts of "family"....
ReplyDeleteKnow them well.
Miss them not..
I wonder if sometimes they don't realize they are being hurtful?
DeleteHello there.
ReplyDeleteI've come across my share of naysayers, some of whom are like that every day of their lives, they are never happy even when they should be. Continue doing what you love to do. Life's too short to worry about what other people think or say.
Entrepreneurial Goddess
True words. True.
Delete