I’ve spent the last few weeks in a funk. A writing funk. Too many standard query rejections, contest non finalists…and more. I have always been a writer, but the last few months, I’ve been making a concerted effort to improve my skills even more. I’ve been sending out queries to agents (doing the standard work as all writers do before they are authors), working on the next book, sending out contest entries….but the rejections, lack of interest, all while trying to run a freelance business, it explains my lack of desire to edit or work on new projects. It’s been crushing me. So much so that I’ve been hard pressed to sit down and focus when I’m at my desk. Darn that empath nature.
Maybe it would be better without the form rejections? At least then I’d get some focus on where I should be fixing things. LOL. (And if someone could prompt my Muse to get her butt in the chair to work on book 4 & 5…then by ALL means….)
Let’s get this straight. I have a Master’s Degree in Professional Writing & Editing. I’m a writer and an editor (but I’ve been focused so long on business writing, the lines blur). I have been writing since I was three. I’ve taken classes, gotten degrees. I still have room to improve. So, that’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve been taking online classes. I share what I can, where I can and with whom I can. I write every day. Sometimes, it’s corporate stuff or blogs. Others, it’s fiction or articles. No matter what, I write. That’s what drives me to my degrees, to taking classes, to finding other writers to connect with…improvement.
So, the last few weeks, I felt like I’ve been getting kicked in the kidneys everywhere I turn. You know what….oh well. I love my books. I started out writing stories to entertain myself and keep myself entertained. I needed the escape.
But now? It’s time to share. These stories are beyond me. They want to reach out and touch others, beyond my beta readers. So, I have a goal…several in fact, to get the stories focused and engaging. Find an agent….find a publisher. Get moving forward….and if not…develop my writing so that even if I’m NOT published/agent’ed….that people are asking for my stories.
My goal: Kill the story so you guys want to READ IT. Bleed for it.
Breathe it.
*grins* You know you want to find out ways to capture and contain a goddess….how to make her fall in love..and watch her fight against contraints. And now…I have these darn characters….fighting to get out…and completely different than the Goddess Chronicles. Darn these stories. 
You are one of the most inspiring people that I have met since finding my way into the writing community here in cyberspace. You have been encouraging in deed and in word, and with every contact whether it be Twitter, FB or through your blogs I have found you to be honing your craft and passing your experiences on to others.
Perhaps everything happens for a reason or perhaps the universe moves exactly as it should. Regardless of the reasoning of the journey, it would seem that you are making the most of it. Your words will be recognized for the jewels that they are by some savvy agent exactly when they are supposed to. When they are and you become published, put me on the short list for an advance copy. Don’t forget to autograph mine.
AWw, Heidi, THANK YOU! I think we all have our ups and downs even though I’m mostly UP. I really am enjoying the entire process of honing my skills and learning to paint with words again.
And you’re definitely on the ARC list!!! Autographed w/ stickers too