Highs and Lows! How do you guys do it?!

[carole gill]

My revision is going well.
It's shaping up and my work hasn't been tossed into a furnace or anything yet.
But then I get these highs and lows--peaks and dips.
Any advice for a slightly hysterical, occasionally confident, but somewhat neurotic first timer?!
Advice appreciated!

[carole gill]

thanks for that. very much.
I had thought--that because I felt that way that it wasn't going right. but now I realize it's me and i'm not alone.
it's kind of you to write what you did. it really gives me a lot more confidence and comfort too, actually.
again, sincere thanks!
p.s. SURE DO REMEMBER ALL WORK AND NO PLAY, MAKES JACK AN AXE MURDERER!
going to avoid that, hopefully!

[Jessica]

I've found that pretty much any problem can be solved by injesting unhealthy amounts of chocolate.

If that doesn't work - I suffered from clinical depression for a number of years, and I found one technique that works is to keep a diary of all your highs and peaks and just continually add to it. Then, when you hit a low - read it. It gets you out of the rut almost instantly.

But I recommend chocolate first!! ; )

[carole gill]

thanks, Jessica!
Depression is rough. You must have some coping skills I admire you.
Yes, chocolate does help ALWAYS!
I have a plaque up in the kitchen that says, "chocolate makes my clothes smaller!"
and it DOES!
interesting suggesting--keeping score, I'll have to see about that.
thanks for replying. btw went at some chocolate yesterday when a surveyer was supposed to come and didn't show up or call. grrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nick Lawless]

Art should happen “after the walks and the laughter,” not ever instead of.

[carole gill]

yeah art! hope that's what i'm doing!
seriously, thanks!

[carole gill]

Now THAT'S a good suggestion!
thanks Jon. I needed that!
(smiles)

[Jayne]

I float around on the highs, and send whiny emails to my writing buddies in the lows, trying hard to laugh at myself all the while because I do know, deep down inside, that how I feel on any given day (hour) does not necessarily say anything true or useful about the actual competence or otherwise of my writing.

[carole gill]

Let's hear it for whiny emails!
Usually my husband is a sounding board. poor man.
I know what you mean though.
And no, our lows when we question EVERYTHING isn't productive, but it may serve as a release so we don't descend (thinking purely of myself) into deep depression)!
Someone told me that that's part of being a writer--to question because we grow that way.
I think that's true. At least my higher self says it is. my scared self sometimes says the opposite. all sorts of negative things usually just before I fall asleep! eek.
but I go on and I know you do too.
It's not the easiest thing to pursue, writing--but what would we do if we didn't write?
We write I think because it's in us to!
at least imho!
and thanks Jayne!

[carole gill]

then you're a natural-born writer!
And when you're away from it you're not as happy, right?
My highs and lows sometimes come (not so bad now) ANYTIME!
when I had doubts--but then, in reading it over, I felt better (delusional)?!! hopefully not.
When will you be writing again for yourself?
and btw thanks so much for your reply!
just got back in from a longish weekend--with no writing but reading books about editing!