“Toughen up”
“Don’t take it personal.”
“Shake it off.”
“Thicken your skin.”
I must have the skin of a rhinoceros.
Being a writer may be the worst career to have if you have self-confidence issues. We basically pour our hearts into our writing, picking the perfect words to portray an incredible story to share with others, and then comes the dreaded edit.
With a few swift swipes of the red pen–well, most of my edits are done through the computer now, but still some opt to use that awful “YOU ARE WRONG” red color–our castle is reduced to the mold in the walls, the holes in the foundation, and decorations so tacky people wonder if we picked them out with our eyes closed.
Sigh…
And yet, we build a layer of thicker skin, dive back in, and spackle, clean, and redress our elaborate construct.
Only to have round two of edits find a dozen more problems no one saw in round one.
So why do we do it? Why do we put ourselves out there, time and again, to be battered down, told we are wrong, torn apart stone by stone until our very soul is exposed and cries out to just let it be good enough–for ONCE!–let it be good enough!!
My reason? Because when I read a good book, it does everything I want it to do–takes me away, wraps me up inside its pages, gives me a few hours of just me, the story, and my imagination. And to know I could give someone the same feeling…
…bring on the red pen and let’s go over it again.
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Christa, keep on keeping on. You rock!
Glad to hear your are going back at it again! And as a skin toughener, those edits are someone elses view – doesn’t mean your original, or you!, are “wrong”.
i do it because i can’t not do it. and i can’t not do it again and again and again. let the chips fall where they may, and i’ll can’t not do it again until its done.
Christa! Wow very powerful. I can relate being an artist. You know I was reminded of your Mom’s writing, not that you are the same, but you both have the same skill to rip away right to the bone. Keep Going Sweetie!!!! You are great.
Glenda
You are amazing! Your message is so relevant and meaningful and encouraging — not only for you and your writing — but for others working hard to make a difference, connect with others, and achieve success. Thanks for your inspiring thoughts. Hang in there and keep at it, much love, k