I promised to do an update on my writing progress.
I’ve got one short in final editing stage, and the monster wip nearing completion.
There it is. 
The problem with this update is that I’ve been doing my final edits on that short–and it is SHORT–for about three WEEKS now.
The monster wip is just that—clawing and scratching at me every step of the way. And I’ve been “nearing completion” for over two months.
I hate the submission process (obviously, yes?). I suppose most authors do. No matter how much blood, sweat, and heart you put into a manuscript…well, it’s like the old question about the falling tree, isn’t it?
Does it make a sound? If it doesn’t reverberate with some attuned set of ears out there, who knows it even exists, and how many echoes before it goes silent? And what happens to this creation that once lived and breathed in your hands if it falls, fails, becomes little more than slices of wood pulp?
I know people probably tire of hearing authors go on about the process. But it can really drain the spirit, even the love of the writing, to keep trying to do your best when it never seems to be good enough.
There’s my update.
Now, I’ve got mss to finish, just because I love the stories. And I suppose that’s the most legitimate reason after all.
It sure does drain the spirit. At a certain point after almost a decade of writing, surely that whole write and learn and get better theory no longer holds water. We are just waiting for luck now. As for the spirit, I have no idea how to help it.
I can’t say I’m really big on the concept of “luck”, Suzanne, as I have issues with the idea of a random sort of universe. But I guess it’s as good an explanation as any.
As for the spirit…that’s the hard part, isn’t it? And I don’t care what they say about developing a “tough skin”. Even that wears away with time.
Yes, no one talks about the attrition on that tough hide. The abrasion.
I hate submission too, but sometimes it’s a relief just to get an ms out of the house.
I try to enjoy the time period after finishing a new novel while editing and then the first couple weeks querying before the rejections start filling my e-mail box. Oh yeah… I always send the first query to Nathan Bransford. He rejects my stuff in the first hour. That way I know my e-mail system is working.
I hate submission too, but sometimes it’s a relief just to get an ms out of the house.
I feel that way sometimes, Bernita. Once it’s polished, done, & mailed off I can feel free to move on, indulge myself in something new.
Seem to be stuck at the moment, though. Maybe it’s just avoidance. Can’t be disappointed if I don’t put it out there (gah, I hate being negative!).
I always send the first query to Nathan Bransford. He rejects my stuff in the first hour. That way I know my e-mail system is working.
Lol.
You always have a great attitude, Bernard.
I’d like to hope Mr. Bransford surprises you one day.