Monday, November 26, 2012

When writers read

Do you ever have this experience?

Because I'll be working at the store during the month of December, I've been trying to catch up on newer titles and wow.  The experience has left me kinda depressed.  I KNOW.  I GOTTA STOP WRITING ABOUT BEING DEPRESSED--because actually I'm fine.  But here's why I say this about the reading part.

I get depressed half of the time because I think, "If THIS got published, why aren't all those manuscripts I have circulating right now getting published?!!!!!!!!"  (Feel free to insert more exclamation points here.)

The other half of the time I get depressed because I think, "I'll never be as good as this."  (Feel free to lie down and just say "uncle" right now.)   It all depends on the book, don't you know.

But on the bright side, it's been fun to discover I still enjoy books for young readers.  I was beginning to think that just wasn't the case anymore.  So YAY for that, I say!


6 comments:

Emily said...

I wish you'd give us your recommendations. You don't have to tell us the ones you didn't like...But my daughter and I both need new books to read.

Anonymous said...

Ditto, ditto, ditto. Shall we form a club? Hope T-giving was good for you. Hugs, R.

Anonymous said...

I'm dittoing your post, not Emily's comment. =)

James said...

Paraphrasing, here, yours may not to be to question why, but rather to do and write. I am sure other writers read your books and say Uncle. Keep writing and your words will find a home.

Who knows why some things are popular. Its not just about the quality of the writing...or the acting and directing. As part of my repentance process, I have to confess that I saw Breaking Dawn, Part II. It was not good, IMHO, but it certainly was popular.

Lisa B. said...

I agree with the swing of the needle to both ends of that depress-o-meter. (I'm reading for a poetry contest right now.)

I heard a great, funny writer say, recently, that a good reaction when you feel discouraged is just to say "Screw 'em" (feel free to upgrade or downgrade the verb there, as you see fit). Who are they to judge your writing (I know, they're not judging you, you're judging yourself)? And keep writing. Because that's what you do.

I'm going to go ahead and take my own advice now.

Amelia said...

I like the quote that says comparison is the thief of joy. Also, I look forward to finding out if you will be reading The Happiness Project this winter and the ensuing report of said project. Did this sound like I was giving you an assignment? ;)