Blog Chain: Writing Challenges and Rewards
Blog chain time again! Wahoo! Today’s blog chain topic comes from Eric. He asks “What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of being a writer? What is your greatest reward from writing?“
I would have to say that the most challenging aspect is the lack of daily feedback or formal evaluations. When I was a teacher, a student understanding a complicated reading passage or finally getting a grammatical concept made my day. Professionally, my supervisors praising one of my lessens and checking off “4s” and “5s” on their rubric, along with a positive review, gave me a high. As writers, we don’t have that. Yes, we have critique groups and readers, but not daily pats on the back or confirmation that we did something right. To be honest, I don’t need it every single day, every minute, but those days I have a new idea or a passage I totally love or am struggling with whether the last 100 pages were really necessary, an ego boost or some warm and fuzzy wouldn’t hurt. Before I got an agent, I thought that would be enough, that getting an agent would mean my work was worthy. Then I got an agent and she said lots of nice things and I revised a lot too, and then it was all about publication–that’s what would prove it all. If I got published, it would mean I’m a good writer. And now I’m getting published and guess what? Not enough. Shocker. Now my thoughts are that success means lots of books and awesome reviews and on and on and on. Oh yes, the question. Biggest challenge. Validation. But I’m learning I need to give that to myself or I’ll keep chasing forever.
Biggest reward? Being able to do what I dreamed of since I was a kid. My self-esteem issues aside, having a block of time to write undisturbed, experiencing the euphoria that comes with blocking out everything else around me, allowing myself to be transported to my characters’ worlds, still thinking about my characters hours and days later, the feeling of excitement when I’m on to something good with a new idea or fixed an old one that I didn’t think was salvageable. All these things are amazing and make the challenging part of writing more than worth it.
What are your writing challenges and rewards? Yesterday, Christine had this to say. And tune in tomorrow for Sarah’s take.
It seems like the challenges never stop. The important thing is that you’re doing something you love.
Chasing validation is definitely a challenge. On an episode of The Office, Angela said, “I enjoy being judged.” My husband teases me with that line because I like validation, too.
At least you’re aware that it’s a challenge for you!
Amen! You nailed it, exactly!
Ooooh, great answer! I completely agree! Frequent feedback has a grounding effect that’s soothing. Spot on, Margie. Spot. On.
Wanting feedback and validation can certainly be a challenge. We all want to know we’re doing a good job or to know what needs improvement. I’ve also dreamed of being a writer since I was a kid, and it’s nice to be at a place in life where that’s what I am. Great post!
I completely understand what you mean when you talk about validation. That is one part of what bothers me from time to time (and I always thought I wasn’t a needy person). But hey, you’ve accomplished a great deal and in my mind, that’s quite a bit of validation. Keep going with it; you’re obviously doing something right.
Such a great answer. I wish there was a little gnome that lived under my desk that would come out daily, read my work, and tell me I’m awesome (and perhaps how to fix chapters 3, 7, and 10). It’s so difficult working in a vacuum sometimes. Luckily for me, I have people like you in my life to make it awesome!
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(I just gave you a virtual pat on the back.)
Wow. Validation. Great SAT word.
No actually that is the perfect word. Yeah, I feel like an agent, publication, and all the rest would provide that… but I can see how it is one of those things were nothing will ever be enough.
You so hit this! THANK YOU!!!
oh so very true. With new successes come new challenges and getting that validation is so elusive sometimes
Great post!
Ah, yes. The dreaded V-word. I think I’ll be trying to validate my writing to everyone around me for the rest of my life.
Sad, but true. Good luck with everything!
Oh man! The validation! I totally know what you mean. It’s something I constantly struggle with. Great post!