One of Those Thangs
It's been one of those couple of months where even though positive things have been happening, the negative seems to trump all of that. I'm in a funk. In a bottom-of-the-barrel, no-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel funk. Mostly, it's people bullshit, which I really need to learn to deal with better. Just a few snide comments others have made or words people have spewed that is total ... well ... crap. And they know it's a lie but, of course, won't admit to it. And NOTHING gets me angrier than when someone tells a bold-faced lie to my face about something I did or didn't do.
It all boils down to perception. How they see it and their state of mind. Sometimes it's easier to put others down to make yourself feel better than admit the truth.
Doesn't make it right, but at least it helps to see it from their perspective however painful and untrue. Ugh!
I'll get through it. I always do. But my negative state of mind is not helping matters when it comes to writing. I'm stuck again. I had some comments on my first chapter of my latest story and it needs a lot of work, so I'm just wondering whether I should clean up that chapter, which will take a bit, or continue on writing the story. But right now I have no idea of the middle, though I do know the ending. Ugh! My husband suggested plotting the story and writing to it. But I'm so not a plotter. I'm a pantser and the idea of writing to an outline makes me feel like my creativity's encased in a straight jacket—too confining.
Again, I'll get through it with a little help from my friends. :)
On a positive note (which I really should be focusing more on), the cover I designed for Parker Publishing is on their website! (In case you didn't know, in my alternate life I'm a graphic designer.) Vegas Bites Back is an anthology about a pack of werewolves that runs a French Quarter-themed casino in Las Vegas. Top-notch authors have contributed to the anthology so it will definitely be a great read. I'm excited to be a part of Parker Publishing, which is blazing trails in African American and interracial romance and literary fiction. The wonderful Marcia Colette's new book will be out with Parker Publishing next year. I can't wait!
It all boils down to perception. How they see it and their state of mind. Sometimes it's easier to put others down to make yourself feel better than admit the truth.
Doesn't make it right, but at least it helps to see it from their perspective however painful and untrue. Ugh!
I'll get through it. I always do. But my negative state of mind is not helping matters when it comes to writing. I'm stuck again. I had some comments on my first chapter of my latest story and it needs a lot of work, so I'm just wondering whether I should clean up that chapter, which will take a bit, or continue on writing the story. But right now I have no idea of the middle, though I do know the ending. Ugh! My husband suggested plotting the story and writing to it. But I'm so not a plotter. I'm a pantser and the idea of writing to an outline makes me feel like my creativity's encased in a straight jacket—too confining.
Again, I'll get through it with a little help from my friends. :)
On a positive note (which I really should be focusing more on), the cover I designed for Parker Publishing is on their website! (In case you didn't know, in my alternate life I'm a graphic designer.) Vegas Bites Back is an anthology about a pack of werewolves that runs a French Quarter-themed casino in Las Vegas. Top-notch authors have contributed to the anthology so it will definitely be a great read. I'm excited to be a part of Parker Publishing, which is blazing trails in African American and interracial romance and literary fiction. The wonderful Marcia Colette's new book will be out with Parker Publishing next year. I can't wait!
posted by J.T. Bock at 9:10 AM
12 Comments:
Wooooohooooo! I was wondering when you'd get around to mentioning that, girlfriend. :) Hugs and huge CONGRATS on that. It looks fantastic! If you seen something come across your desk that has to do with were-cheetahs, give me a holla'.
As for your shitty day, I've had one of those myself where people are so freakin' judgemental that it makes you want to pull their hair out. But in the end, I got the last smile when I got wind of a piece of interesting news that I'm looking forward to sharing soon. So trump those snot rags who brought you down and think about that cool cover you've got. That's your creation, girlfriend. Nobody can lay a finger on that. :-)
Sorry folks have been snarky to you.
But you know, there's a great t-shirt I saw in a catalog that says, "Don't annoy me or I'll put you in my book." And just think of what you could do to them once you'd morphed them into characters. Evil chuckle. Might just get you out of your writer's funk! :)
Smack the idiots. ;) Although, I do love the idea of putting them into one of your books....the possibilities. And I agree with you...I'm not a plotter. I like seeing how they evolve on their own...and then, when I get stuck, I do something evil to them to see how they're going to get out of it.
Oooooooh, COVER!!!!!!!!! Go you. Glad to see it finally up!
Okay, so I agree with Stacia....Smack the idiots. That said, I can totally feel your pain, my dear. I am a pantser as well and have been thinking about plotting. Plotting to me feels like someone has a spiked dog training collar around my neck but maybe discipline is what I need. The kitty in me has my claws out to defend my girlfriend. Take some catnip J and take a step back if you need to.
Yippee! on that cover.
Marcia, I'll be looking forward to hearing your "interesting" news! :) Thanks for the support! I am excited about the cover and can't wait to see the book in print. Now I just need to get on the inside ... :P
Karen, you're so bad (in a good way) that's why I love you! I have a pin that I got at a writer's conference which says the same thing. It's a nice, under-the-radar way to make you feel better when you can't (at least legally) do what you want to the person. :P
Stacia, same thing with my characters. I like to throw a bunch of crazy stuff at them to see how they get out of it. Though lately, I think it's coming to bite me back because someone's been throwing a lot of shit my way lately. (cue Twilight Zone music):P
Oh, Elizabeth, I'm so glad to have you in my corner. I never want to be on the other side of those claws. (I know how vengeful Scorpios can be.) We'll have to share some catnip soon. I could really use it. ;)
Hey congrats on the cover! That's sweet and the story sounds great!
We're always available to perform un-funking services if you need 'em.
Love to you and the hubby!
nK
When are we taking that Thursday and Friday locking-ourselves-in-a-hotel-and-writing-our-asses-off?
Thanks, Nick! I really appreciate yours and Stacia's support all these years. You guys have been awesome.
Karm, either January or mid-Feb. I'll plan to check into it and get back to you with some dates.
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