Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Beat the Odds!

I'm convinced we (as in, writers) all have a masochistic side to us.  How else do we explain our tendency to kick ourselves in the butt when we're already feeling down?  Sure, some of the pain and heartache we experience is out of our control--rejections, harsh critiques, rejections, rejections, bad reviews, rejections.  However, sometimes we bring it on all by ourselves.  

Yesterday was a bad day.  It was one of those days where, for reasons unknown, I woke up in a nasty funk.  I tried to get myself out of it--I wrote, cooked, cleaned, took the dog for a walk--but nothing I did could alleviate this doom and gloom feeling inside.  Then, I got an email that put me in an even worse mood, and like a pig in mud, I spent the rest of the day wallowing in self-pity.  All those negative thoughts that usually drift in and out of writers heads got stuck in mine like a thumbtack on a cork board.  And as if that wasn't enough, I started playing the "statistics" game.  Oh, yes.  You know what I'm talking about.  I went to google and immediately started typing in things like:  What percentage of writers never get published?  How many book deals does publisher "X" make a year?  What percentage of writers become alcoholics?  Okay, just kidding on the last one, but you see what I'm saying.

That was yesterday.

Today, I woke up in a better mood (thank GOD!), put my big-girl pan--, er . . . underwear on, and thought, screw the statistics! The way I look at it, I'm already ahead of the game.  According to my statistical binge last night, only about 3% of people who start a novel actually finish it, and I've written two (almost three!).   Not only have I written [almost] three novels, but I landed an agent.  So, take THAT statistics (by the way, I hated my statistics class in college).  Score:  Me--2  Statistics--0. 

The lesson in all of this?
1) Don't drink and google
2) Statistics is a science; writing is an art.  The two don't go together.
3) Beat the odds



9 comments:

  1. Yeah, girl! Show the stats who's boss! :)

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  2. I so wish I could drink in person with you, and then we'd both stay away from the google! Internet=danger. You are fabulous Angela! Don't forget what an exciting step it is to have an agent. You are so ahead of the game!! :)

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    1. Aww, thanks Meredith :o) I know--how awesome would it be to drown our sorrows together?? ;o) LOVE that idea! hehehe . . .

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  3. Dude, you should have emailed me yesterday. We could have woe-as-me'd together. You're so right, though. Not only do statistics blow, but Googling under the influence is a dangerous game. Not to mention the trail of silly FB messages you leave in your wake.

    Love you, dolly pants!

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    1. This has been THEE most craptastic week EVER (okay, I shouldn't say that, because knowing my luck, next week will find some way to be even worse). Yes, drunk web-surfing is even more dangerous than drunk dialing (not I've ever done such a thing! ;)

      Love you, too, sweet potato :o)

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  4. "Drinking and Googling" is NOT a safe thing to do!
    Yes, always come back to the hope. There are no limitations when you keep hoping and working for your goal.

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  5. Did I forget to add hugs? Here.
    *HUGE virtual hugs coming in tidal waves your way*

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    1. Thanks so much, Lydia!! I love virtual hugs and will take as many as I can get!! Hehe :o)

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