It’s all felt a little, well, strange lately. Maybe it’s the swine flu “pandemic.” Maybe it’s the weather going from summer to winter and back again every few hours. But I seem to find myself surrounded by lots of negative energy, lots of worrying about the future, especially when it comes to publishing and the state of that crazy industry that seems to decide the writer’s fate. I know that before I published anything, I spent a great deal of negative energy fearing that my work would never be published. Now that I am published, I worry that I’ll never be published again. And I know I’m not the only one out there feeling this way. So when I sat down to write my blog today all I could think to write was a giant Ugh.
But then I decided to check out the TED website and see what I could come up with. And once again, I was inspired, not necessarily to write something new, but — and even more importantly — just to keep going. Take a look at this video which is actually a short compilation of several talks by Jay Walker, an entrepreneur and businessman, who spent a great deal of his money and a great deal of his time and passion creating the “Library of Human Imagination.” Watching this reminded me that the creative effort is important. Our brains are meant to do more than just make money. And even if we do make some, it’s powerless to affect the world unless it is accompanied by a creative spark. It is the pursuit of creativity that changes everything. That’s really why we writers, artists, musicians do what we do. As Margaret Drabble said the other evening at the Society of Authors reception, “The credit crunch does not bother writers because we don’t have jobs to lose. We’ll always write anyway.” Recently, I’ve forgotten about my New Year’s resolution to have faith. Thankfully, there are people out there to remind me (and thanks to Sarah Salway for turning me on to this site in the first place).
Sue, that’s why a group of writers is known as an Insecurity of Writers – or should be.
Thanks for you kind comments on the Fish placement. That retreat looks wonderful but as a runner up I don’t think my purse will strech to it.
Fiona: I never heard of that, “an insecurity of writers.” That’s perfect! And even if Anam Cara isn’t workable right now, keep it in mind. It’s a life saver, in many ways. And congrats again!
Brilliant and inspiring post, Sue, just what I needed, since I, like you, have also been wondering about where I’m going, if I’ll be published etc etc. But the truth of the matter is we write because we must and the creative energy connects us to something powerful and in turn sends out ripples of something undefinable but incredibly important.
LOL – I love Fiona’s group of writers definition!
Hi Sue,I found you via Vanilla`s blog and liked what you said about ladybirds. We even have a ladybird house where they can breed (you must put some dry leaves or corrugated cardboard in). What is your book about? You sound like a nice, thoughtful woman, so just cheer up and believe in the future!
Ab Van:It is so hard to keep going, but thankfully we have each other for support, eh?
Angela: Thanks for dropping by and for your encouraging words. I’d love for you to find out more about my novel, “Tangled Roots” (of course 🙂 ). The easiest way may be for you to go to my website: http://www.sueguiney.com There was also a big blog tour which you can find out about on my blog. Thanks again, and welcome!
Sue, I’ve felt exactly the same the last week or so. It worries me that how we think and process information, is basically how we write. That doesn’t sound very clear. What I mean is, if we think interestingly, stay alert and observe interestingly, then the result is interesting writing but during a flat ‘bleurgh’ time, it can seem like we’ll (I’ll) never write anything interesting again. But of course we will if we just keep going.
Fiona’s Insecurity of Writers is sopt on. It’s a big club:-)
ps. I will not use the word ‘interesting’ again:-)
Lane: I don’t know, maybe it’s something in the air or the water or some weird moon phase. Thank goodness for blogging, eh?
Sue, I am sending you big cyber hugs and lots of positive thoughts.
I am made of UGH today…way too tired. Glad it isn’t just me, ‘misery loves company’ and all that.
Thanks, JJ. Funny thing is I just came down with (yet another) cold, so maybe it all has to do with a suppressed immune system? Sounds good, if nothing else.
DJ:Well, I am trying to stop analyzing and just “sit” with the feelings. very zen of me, don’t you think? And boring 🙂
I had a bout of anxiety and bleughhh a week or so back, Sue, too, so your post really struck a chord with me. Thanks for sharing:)