So my first short story has been published in the US and I can’t help asking myself, what next?
I’ve been writing every day. Most days I write for a couple of hours before my family wakes. I write little stories, paint pictures into worlds with phrases and sentences. Words are picked over, discarded and finally chosen.
I’ve entered a few Australian short story competitions and cross everything, with beginners luck, maybe I’ll be shortlisted for one, or dare I hope for more? My stories have been submitted to literary magazines and I try to sit tight and not chew on my nails too often.
But the most overwhelming question in my mind – what if Disappointment was the only thing I’ve written or will ever write, that will make it? This is the thought that disturbs my nightly sleep.
I believe such worries plague all creatives. Are we good enough? Is what we do of any worth? Will this next piece be bought and sold? What if, (and I say this with all of my heart in my mouth) what if none of this is any good?
Creating anything is a giving of oneself to the world. Your innermost thoughts are shared, offered up in an effort to impact another’s life if only momentarily. Can my short stories transport you to another world that resides in my head? Can I give you another world to peek into? These are small offerings; something to read while you sip your morning coffee or as you lean against the train door on your way into the city. Can I show you another life?
These offerings of mine are my way to connect with the world. It is the way I hope to impact the world. I write every day in the belief my life will make a difference. I know of no other way. Writing is what I do. I love words.
If I don’t write I feel out of kilter. I am woken in the morning by phrases and sentences chasing each other in my mind. I know I have to get them down. And so I write for my own sanity and for the delight words give me. I write to connect with whoever has chosen to read what I write.
I will keep on writing. Keep on sending out my shorts. My little offerings to the world and hopefully soon, God willing, there will be another Disappointment soon.
Nadia L King 
You have written the thoughts that every writer faces. Hopefully there will be more ‘Disappointments’ in the future. (I hope you got what I mean. Its not in the literal sense). I am forever unable to manage and squeeze out time for my writing. Time managemnt is very very important I feel. 🙂
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Thanks I hope so too. I like to write in the morning & that way writing doesn’t get lost in the day.
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Hopefully more ‘Disappointment’ and less disappointment, although I guess both are part of a writer’s life. Curious to know what time you wake up to write … I love it once I am up early, but sometimes struggle to make a start on my writing. Any tips about how you get out of bed and writing?
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Anytime after 4:30am is get up time for me. Don’t even open your eyes, just plonk yourself in front of the laptop & get going. I will often finish mid-sentence so when I start it’s easy to get going again. Once my mind clicks on I can’t stay in bed, I have to get out & if I write in the morning it doesn’t matter what happens in the rest of the day. It works for me right now but not sure if it will always.
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What time do you go to bed in order to be able to wake at that time?
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Writing is a crazy business. No one but another writer understands why it ‘takes so long to write something.’ Only a fellow writer knows what it’s like to want/need to be writing, but you’re stuck in the middle of everyday ‘life’ and you want to scream because the ideas/characters in your head long to be free. The thing that keeps me writing every day is the unavoidable fact that I’m a writer and I simply can’t NOT write. You will have more sales, you will have more successes. I know this because you show up each day and write. How can you not eventually find the success you dream of? I’ve never done this before, but would you mind if I reblogged this post?
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Thank you Jillian for your support & for believing in me. Like you, I have no choice I can only write. I am very flattered you want to reblog this post. Please feel free to do so & wishing you a world of success with your writing 😊
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You voice that little doubt that every writer carries on their shoulder. The words, these jumble of letters that somehow manage to form themselves into a living, breathing thing in your mind, seem to come with a huge dose of anxiety – what if we’re deluding ourselves in thinking that any of this is any good…
But knowing that every writer living, yes, even the greats, feel like this is of some comfort. Like others have said, you turn up each day and you write – success will find you, my lovely friend, be it next month or next year. That is something that has no doubt 🙂
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Thank you Bev. It definitely is a comfort to think we are all having the same thoughts and doubts. Thanks again for your belief. It really helps and I’m so looking forward to reading your novel this year.
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All for one, and one for all! 😉 Getting to share it with you will be a definite highlight! 🙂
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Pearl S Buck, a prolific writer of the 20th century once said “I worry every day that whatever I write is absolutely worthless and no one will want to read it”…This from a noble prize winner for literature. Keep writing. your blog posts are incredible, and I am sure that any books you write shall be successful
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Thanks so much Suze. I think it is the writer’s dilemma. I’m writing a short story at the moment and I keep thinking it’s utter rubbish but at the same time I also think maybe I’m wrong and so I continue. Thanks so much for your encouraging words x
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Great insite. Writing is art and artists produce not for money and fame (okay maybe some do) but because they see the angel where others see a block of marble.
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Love your words. True, we see something we have to share with the world.
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