La-Tessa Montgomery

and sometimes you just need a hug.

This is the predicament I found myself in this weekend.  As you know, I am working on my wip (work in progress) and writing is much harder than I ever thought it would be.  I have a WHOLE NEW RESPECT for all authors, whether they are published or not. 

Sitting down to a blank computer screen everyday is more than a little daunting.   Especially when you have the added pressure of trying to create something that will invoke a positive response in an editor, publisher,  and/or agent.

So, like most people, I have a lot going in my life right now.   I know I’m not the only person on this planet juggles a full time job, a family, a household, & personal interests/hobbies.  I’m usually pretty good at handling the day to day stress of my life. 

However, this weekend was NOT one of those times.

I got so frustrated with my lack of progress on my wip and the lack of creative inspiration that I had my first crisis of confidence this year.  Late Saturday night, as I stared hopelessly at my blank computer screen– a screen that was just begging for some words, any words, to grace it’s presence– I thought about just chucking the deuces at my attempt to complete a manuscript.  One of my favorite song lyrics is “Someday I’ll fly, someday I’ll soar” from John Mayer’s Bigger Than My Body.  I’ve adopted this line as a mantra of sorts, as I work towards becoming a published author.  And for the first time this year, it did nothing to for me.

Thankfully, my critique partner stepped in this morning with words of encouragement and some good advice & helpful tips on staying productive (http://www.sfwa.org/writing/strategies.html). Then  she nonchalantly requested  my writing goals for the week and sent me hers.  As though I did not just pour my little heart out to her in my Benadryl-influenced, sleep deprived,  ”swan song to the writing game” email. 

It was a spiritual hug of sorts and soothed those wayward doubts of mine, allowing me to refocus my efforts.   So I have a new writing plan this week, one that does not consist solely of me churning out another chapter.  Instead, I have varied my goals to allow me to work on different aspects of my writing, so that if the devil (that is doubt) raises his head, I can either laugh in his face and power through, or I can turn my attention to another aspect of my wip that will get me another step closer to completing it.

So for any of you who experience the sames highs and lows on the road to accomplishing your dreams, in the words of Tupac I urge you to “Keep ya head up”.

~La-Tessa
Someday I’ll fly, someday I’ll soar