It's very energizing to get a few short stories out into the market, but once the rejections start coming back you soon hit the business end of the writing game – dealing with the rejections. I can’t complain – I’ve only been seriously sending out shorts again for the last four months (after a few years exclusively rewriting books) and one of them managed to win a $1000 short story prize. Even so, the other rejections still impact.
I have this strange disconnect where I will recognize the rejections mentally without a seeming ripple on the surface, yet they somehow hit below the psychic belt on a subconscious level. I feel like some D&D role playing character. There I am whacking away with my broadsword as happily as ever. The hits keeps coming, but it does not slow me. Then all of a sudden I run out of hit points - Bam! I am down.
Now usually the other fighters step in and slay the beast and its color by numbers from that point. There is a healing spell, or some sort of potion in the treasure to get you up and running in no time. Hell, even if you get killed the DM usually has some way to get you back in the game, some local Temple where the High Priest will resurrect you in return for retrieving some priceless artifact. No sweat.
Which makes me wonder what the Healing Potion is to deal with rejection.
The problem with me is that I keep whacking away at my writing, emotionally dead on my feet. Nothing is flowing, somehow I get locked away from the core inspiration or idea that is driving the piece. It takes me a while to realize I’ve actually left my creative self unconscious on the road about two weeks behind me. The triumph of willpower over sense perhaps. I call this Blood Out Of Stone territory – that’s how hard it feels to get the words out. But I do it. I’m too busy to believe in writer’s block.
So what healing balms do you have to get your creative self up off the floor? I always find escaping back into Science Fiction and Fantasy books or movies helps. Or taking the time to step back and reengage with the piece you are working on. Anyone got any tips? Links to discount suppliers of Healing Potion perhaps?
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