A heartfelt thank you! I resonate with this so much. It's always the thing with all the cloudy possible outcomes that paralyzes us, the fear of not knowing how to handle the unknown, the future, the failure, and even the success. One day we will know deeply within that come the unkown, the future, the failure and the success, we'll figure out how to navigate it. Then, and we won't be afraid now.
It brings me so much joy when a writer says they're able to relate to something, so THANK YOU. I strive to write from my heart and it so good to not feel alone in these maddening feelings.
The process is the thing! Enjoy it! SUCH a great post - I loved every word.
I'll admit to being an accomplished 'plancrastinator' - or 'procrastiplanner' - in order to get out of progressing with a project, hmmm, well, I fall down a very deep project-planning rabbit hole.... 🫣🤣
This is me. I focus so much on the planning that actually getting the project started never happens... 😅 It's like I think that if I plan it to death, figure out all the niggly details, I can get the project over with faster. Unfortunately, that's just not how it works!
This could easily have become me, except I hate research and planning😂 I forced myself to do it extensively for my current project for the first time, and during the month or so I spent doing research between the first and second drafts, I felt like I was wasting my time. But this research is helping tremendously with my second draft.
Perhaps your dream isn’t so much to be published, more so than simply to create. And that’s perfectly fine. I worked in publishing for 10 years and though I write, I never wanted to publish a book.
Can’t you just give life to the books you want to write and decide later if the public is worthy enough to see them?
I think if I wrote this a year ago, the idea would be to get published because it sounds cool, it's the "in" thing to do. But you're right, that now, I think that goal has changed, and I just want to create the story that I've had in my head for so long. I thought about this plot for years. Little scenes and dialogue popping into my head. It's only this year that I've finally taken the plunge to do something about it.
I'm setting my sights on finishing the book, ignoring how long it might take me to do so 😉
Sounds like a plan. There are a lot of articles to support this, as well as my experience: sometimes there’s no there there in publishing. It’s more of a mirage than an oasis.
This definitely resonates! Holding the potential in your head has so much power, and the fear of failure creates so much resistance. I keep telling myself the same things--the craft is the reward. Sometimes I even believe myself.
This is exactly how I feel everyday! I keep laying it off…. So good to know that I ain’t alone 🥹 Anyways would love to read of your published work one day
OMG, Natalie, I totally feel you! 🙈 It’s like we have this endless to-do list for everyone else, but when it comes to our own passions, we get all shy and critical!
Honestly, I'd champion anyone else. You need someone in the crowd at your improv show? I'll be there. You ask me to share my writing with anyone? I'll dig my heels into the ground and refuse. There's something about being a cheerleader for ourselves that we hate.
This is great! I’m glad you’re finding the peace of mind to keep you going. I know how difficult writing a book can be. Plus, you’re still publishing here regularly, and that’s something to be proud of.
Enjoy the process indeed. I resonated with this letter as I’ve been painting for years now and debated on and off to finally sell them, even just on Etsy. But the thought of the unknown future as you mentioned is what stops me every time. So for now, I’ll just keep creating and enjoying the process until someday I have the courage, or no more space to keep all these canvases, and just take the leap of faith.
i want to print this out and put it on my wall! i love it so much
Ella! You'll make me cry! Best compliment ever. Thank you!
A heartfelt thank you! I resonate with this so much. It's always the thing with all the cloudy possible outcomes that paralyzes us, the fear of not knowing how to handle the unknown, the future, the failure, and even the success. One day we will know deeply within that come the unkown, the future, the failure and the success, we'll figure out how to navigate it. Then, and we won't be afraid now.
It brings me so much joy when a writer says they're able to relate to something, so THANK YOU. I strive to write from my heart and it so good to not feel alone in these maddening feelings.
The process is the thing! Enjoy it! SUCH a great post - I loved every word.
I'll admit to being an accomplished 'plancrastinator' - or 'procrastiplanner' - in order to get out of progressing with a project, hmmm, well, I fall down a very deep project-planning rabbit hole.... 🫣🤣
This is me. I focus so much on the planning that actually getting the project started never happens... 😅 It's like I think that if I plan it to death, figure out all the niggly details, I can get the project over with faster. Unfortunately, that's just not how it works!
🤣 It’s definitely a thing, isn’t it?!
This could easily have become me, except I hate research and planning😂 I forced myself to do it extensively for my current project for the first time, and during the month or so I spent doing research between the first and second drafts, I felt like I was wasting my time. But this research is helping tremendously with my second draft.
Perhaps your dream isn’t so much to be published, more so than simply to create. And that’s perfectly fine. I worked in publishing for 10 years and though I write, I never wanted to publish a book.
Can’t you just give life to the books you want to write and decide later if the public is worthy enough to see them?
I think if I wrote this a year ago, the idea would be to get published because it sounds cool, it's the "in" thing to do. But you're right, that now, I think that goal has changed, and I just want to create the story that I've had in my head for so long. I thought about this plot for years. Little scenes and dialogue popping into my head. It's only this year that I've finally taken the plunge to do something about it.
I'm setting my sights on finishing the book, ignoring how long it might take me to do so 😉
Sounds like a plan. There are a lot of articles to support this, as well as my experience: sometimes there’s no there there in publishing. It’s more of a mirage than an oasis.
This definitely resonates! Holding the potential in your head has so much power, and the fear of failure creates so much resistance. I keep telling myself the same things--the craft is the reward. Sometimes I even believe myself.
This is exactly how I feel everyday! I keep laying it off…. So good to know that I ain’t alone 🥹 Anyways would love to read of your published work one day
OMG, Natalie, I totally feel you! 🙈 It’s like we have this endless to-do list for everyone else, but when it comes to our own passions, we get all shy and critical!
Honestly, I'd champion anyone else. You need someone in the crowd at your improv show? I'll be there. You ask me to share my writing with anyone? I'll dig my heels into the ground and refuse. There's something about being a cheerleader for ourselves that we hate.
This is great! I’m glad you’re finding the peace of mind to keep you going. I know how difficult writing a book can be. Plus, you’re still publishing here regularly, and that’s something to be proud of.
Thank you so much Andrei! ✨ Always love your positive energy on Substack.
Enjoy the process indeed. I resonated with this letter as I’ve been painting for years now and debated on and off to finally sell them, even just on Etsy. But the thought of the unknown future as you mentioned is what stops me every time. So for now, I’ll just keep creating and enjoying the process until someday I have the courage, or no more space to keep all these canvases, and just take the leap of faith.