Tossing Life Preservers

Why do I post what I post?

Sometimes it's to get things off my chest.  Sometimes it's to help me see my own way clear.  Most times, though, it's so other people adrift out there on the wild waves of the writerly experience can find a glimpse of someone who might be in the same position. 

I get a lot of encouragement from my fellow writers here.  And I thank you for that.  But that isn't the point.  I hear that I'm in the same boat, which is fine.  We all go through it.  I get that.  Unfortunately, I fear there are many others who don't get the same encouragement and who feel they are all alone.  There are others out there who don't understand that there are others in the boat...  afloat, adrift... and they feel cut off when there might be others sitting right beside them.

Writing is a lonely business.  Naturally.  For the most part we're sitting here making stuff up by ourselves.  (Unless you're a collaborator, then you and another author are alone together.)  No one else is in our heads.  No one else knows what it's like to pound our words day after day, week after week, with nothing to show for it but filled pages.  Print them out and wave them around and you might get a pat on the head.  If you're lucky, you get a publishing contract with a reputable house and see other people finally understand.  Most often, though, you're still alone.  And you feel like no one understands.

So, I write blog posts of my experiences.  I try to put it all out there.  Maybe only a couple people see it and they aren't the ones who really need it.  But if one person sees it and thinks 'hey, I'm not alone', grabs onto the life preserver and floats for one more day, then I did my job here. 

When I think back over the past 12 years of writing, there have been many other authors who tossed me life preservers without ever knowing what they did.  They kept me from drowning.  I'm trying to do the same.

Anyway, if you stop by and think I'm whining or bitching or whatever, that's fine.  It wasn't for you anyway.  And if you stop here and find a kindred spirit, if only for an instant, then welcome.

As for me?  Don't worry about me.  I'm fine.  I'm plodding along.  I'm writing and editing and trying to sell stuff so I can continue to write and edit.  Sometimes that's about all we can do.