Posted on by bethkvogt

The Writer’s Life: On the Edge of the Cliffs of Insanity

BeingThe Cliffs of Insanity a writer can make you crazy.

Think about it:

  • Your literary heritage? A long line of creative alcoholics and drug users: Ernest Hemingway. O. Henry. Tennessee Williams. Dorothy Parker. Edgar Allen Poe.
  • Betting your life on a maybe, dependent on the kindness of others–agents, editors, publishers–for your success. And, really, their decisions have nothing to do with kindness.
  • Balancing your hopes on the seesaw of contradiction: Write your passion. Write what the market wants.
  • Hearing voices. The fictitious ones in your head that you tell what to do–and then you wreak havoc on them when they don’t. Meanwhile, the ever-present voices in the real world–your boss, your spouse, your kids–demand you focus on the here and now. The business meeting. The bills. The moody pre-teen inhabiting your daughter’s body.
  • Facing unending emotional upheaval. Waiting. Rejections. The mixture of joy and jealousy when a friend earns “the call.” (Not that you’d ever admit to even a passing acquaintance with the green-eyed monster. Inconceivable.)

Being a writer can push you to consider changing your name to Poe or Hemingway. The craziest part? You chose this life. You’re committed to this insanity. Here are a few suggestions for managing the madness:

  • Pick your mentors wisely. Just because writing drove others to indulge in mind-altering escapes doesn’t mean you must. I admire my mentors for their lifestyle choices, not just their writing skills.
  • Don’t let all your dreams be based on maybes. I have limited control over my success as a writer. Writing, however, is not all of my life. I’m pursuing other dreams with both short and long-term goals.
  • Choose between your passion and writing for the market. Or not. Maybe you’ll be the lucky author who hits the market when your passions collide with what “they” want. (Romantic-Amish-Vampire-Time-Travel-Steampunk-with-a-moral, anyone?)
  • Jump off the seesaw. The whole “balancing the writing world with the real world” challenge? I may never master that. Sometimes my mind seems full of shrieking eels, all screaming, “If only these people (husband, kids, friends) would leave me alone, I could accomplish the more important goals!” Then I know it’s time to shut down my computer and connect with family.
  • Admit you experience emotions. If emotions are good for our fictional characters, why are they bad for us? Sometimes we’re conflicted: over-the-moon-happy for our friend who landed a contract and also disappointed we’re not the one signing on the dotted line. That’s reality.

I’m curious: Am I the only writer pushed to the edge of the Cliffs of Insanity? How do you keep yourself from leaping off? (And can anyone tell me where the Cliffs of Insanity exist?)  ;o)

Post Author: Beth K. Vogt

Beth K. Vogt is a non-fiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an air force physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. She’s discovered that God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” She writes contemporary romance because she believes there’s more to happily ever after than the fairy tales tell us.

110 Replies to “The Writer’s Life: On the Edge of the Cliffs of Insanity”

  1. Wonderful advice! And I know where the Cliffs of Insanity exist, and the shrieking eels, and the R.O.U.S’s. 🙂

    Might have to watch that again. It’s been awhile.

    1. Ah, someone with the same taste in, um, scenery, and sea creatures, and things others don’t think exist.

  2. Beth, I relate more than I can say. 😉 But when I get an email from a reader like the one I got today, three pages long and full of smart, insightful, and generous thoughts about my novel, I feel the power of the written word to connect us on a very deep level. That will get me through the eels and even through the machine that sucks away years of life.

    1. Ah, Rosslyn, so it helps when someone pulls you back from those Cliffs of Insanity! I couldn’t agree more. Earlier tonight, one of our Water Cooler mates (waving at you, Katie!) encouraged me via email. She put a smile on my face and a whole lot of “want to” in my writer’s heart.

  3. I turned in a novel to Writer’s Edge almost a year ago, and that was the beginning of the journey for me. I had NO IDEA what I was getting into. Since then I have joined writers’ groups and entered contests and sent query letters and read about the whole writing/publishing process. I’ve read stories of people doing everything right and never getting published, and stories of people who do everything wrong and get snapped up by agents and publishers. If that won’t make you crazy, I don’t know what will! What keeps me off the cliffs is being able to let go of it and just remember that “His ways are higher than mine”. He has a purpose that he will bring about in his time. In the meantime I am trying to be obedient and to keep learning and growing. He provides me with opportunities to write every day – things that encourage a small group of people here where I am. I am trying to be faithful in the “small” things, and wait for whatever comes after that. Somebody must be praying for me to have patience…I really wish they’d quit that!! 🙂

    1. Sheri,
      For someone at the beginning of their writing journey, you’ve got a lot of wisdom. You’ve seen the unpredictability of success and you understand the demands of pursuing publication–and you’re persevering. Even more important, you know you’re not the one in charge (in some ways), even though your efforts are so, so important! And I can see you’ve held onto your sense of humor–an absolute must if you’re gonna stay the course as a writer. 🙂

    1. Dee:
      One of the main reasons I haven’t jumped off the cliffs is realizing how many others have stopped and said, “How are you doing with this whole writing gig?”–usually about the time I want to shout, “Geronimo!” Others who’ve trailblazed before me have turned back and encouraged me, offering wisdom and advice. I think that’s one of the main reasons I’ve progressed this far & also want to continue.

    1. Absolutely true, Natasha! We’re literary Sir Edmund Hillarys (he was the first person to summit Mount Everest–well, him and a Sherpa mountaineer.) And the view is so worth it. And the relationships we make along the way? Those make the climb (and the not leaping) worth it too.

  6. I believe I’m having my mail forwarded to the Cliffs of Insanity for this season of my life. But even with those shrieking eels, I manage to write–not writing is inconceivable.

    My mentors helped to straighten my story spine and redefine my focus. When I’m dealing with a real life situation, I channel those emotions into my writing to create believable scenes. It’s almost like the golden ticket to character development.

    Great post, TEE. Now I want to watch Wesley and Buttercup. 🙂

    1. Hey, Lisa, I’ll bring the popcorn. We can make it a movie night!
      Thanks for the reminder of the “Don’t Waste Your Emotions” principle. If we’re not going to deny we have emotions, let’s also put them to good use. As author Susan May Warren advises, invest in an emotional (emo) journal and write out how you felt in different situations. Then turn around and plug those emotions into your scenes.

  7. Terrific post, Beth! I particularly keyed in on “Don’t let all your dreams be based on maybes.” Due to a convergent set of circumstances (some of which were truly beyond my control), I have not recently had good, achievable short-term dreams in place. That is just not smart! You have challenged me to come up with some worthy ones again and add them to my long-term dream of book publishing. Thank you!!

    1. Katy, I prefer those circumstances I create for myself … but often find myself dealing with those “How did this happen?” kinds of circumstances. And I’ve also learned being a writer requires lots of waiting (and revising.) 😉
      So there has to be more to life–more dreams–than just that of publication. If not, life’s awfully one dimensional. Would love to hear what other dreams you chase after.

  8. This is awesome! Did I ever tell you The Princess Bride is one of my all-time favorite movies??

    Great advice, Beth. Especially about the shrieking eels. I need to take this advice more often. Because there are definitely times I think this about my family. You’re so right. That’s when we should power down the computer and give the family some much-needed attention.

    1. Katie,
      We have a standing joke in my family that I need a T-shirt with this slogan (or warning) written across this back: “If you can read this then I can’t hear you.”
      So often writing and editing sucks me into the computer & my family becomes one big annoyance.
      Sigh. What an attitude. I’m not proud of it. I’ve learned to push away from my desk when someone comes into my office to talk to me. Make eye contact. If I don’t , I’m not really listening.

  9. Beth,
    Perfect…seesaw….that is exactly how I feel. I’m on the beginning of this journey, and I have to say God has given me a great circle of friends/mentors.

    I’m working on meeting every circumstance with The Word and not my emotions.

    I so agree with having other goals, I have so many irons seesawing in the air right now, it would hurt if one of them landed wrong…lol

    Thanks for the great advice.

    Blessings!
    Alena

    1. Alena,
      “I’m working on meeting every circumstance with the Word and not my emotions.”
      Wonderful perspective–probably earned the hard way.

  10. Remember that earthquake a few days ago? Yep, that was me sure I was finally losing it. There I was sitting in my shaking chair absolutely certain my mind had finally left me.

    Love this post and your advice is unique & wise (my favorite combo).
    ~ Wendy

    1. Well, we had an earthquake here too–and guess who didn’t even notice it? I was probably editing. Or revising.
      LOL.
      So, are you going to weave that experience into your work-in-progress, Wendy? 😉

  11. Definitely know where the cliffs of insanity are. lol And like Sherri, I wish whoever is praying patience for me would STOP! That said, I wouldn’t do anything else. Writing makes me feel complete, published or not. And once I realized that getting published is in His time, not mine, I was able to be content to just do my part…write, and be ready when the call comes. Great post, TEE.

    1. Pat,
      It does help to know we belong on this path, this journey. And the Cliffs of Insanity are along the way.
      Like you, I believe I am meant to write–that I was “made” to be a writer. Yes, in some ways I chose this life . . . but in some ways, I feel most “me” when I’m writing. Even on the days when the words don’t come–and the ones that do are misspelled.
      Call me crazy!

  12. Man, I miss Andre the Giant! “Everybody MOVE!!” is my favorite part in that movie=)

    One thing I learned early on is that when my kids want my attention, it’s because they love Mommy. How can writing compete with that? It made writing hard during the summer, always having my kids at my desk with me. Now that school has started, one is in school, leaving the other with more freedom. He still claims my attention a lot, but my writing has doubled since the needed attention has halved.

    You’ve got some great advice here!

  13. My 10-year-old and her BFF made two signs for my office door. One says: Come in!! I can talk. The other says: Trust Me It’s Cold In There! Go In If You Dare!
    I promise you, my daughter did not make the second sign. Really.
    And truthfully, the signs do help. I’ve rarely posted the warning–and my daughter’s noticed that. Well, after I pointed it out to her one day when she was a little whiny.
    🙂
    Thanks for the encouragement, Katie.

  14. Beth, the cliff picture captured my attention before I started reading. I have used a similar pic on my blog to describe this writing process.

    Yes, yes, and yes–I have experienced everything you describe. When I get really discouraged, I remember that if I weren’t truly a writer, I wouldn’t care; this process wouldn’t be so soul-crunching. Others have uber-passion for hobbies that bore me to tears: cooking (ask my husband 🙂 ), sewing, camping, card-making, home decorating. None of those bring me wild swings of emotion with loads of joy and self-doubt. So published or not, I must truly be a writer.

    It’s small comfort. But when you’re standing on the edge of a cliff, small comfort makes a big difference.

    1. Gwen,
      I love meeting kindred spirits along the writing road. (Another favorite word picture for the writing life.)
      I am craft-challenged. Stamping–pfft! Sewing? I gave my sewing machine away when I was 30 (and yes, I realize some of you at the Water Cooler haven’t reached that milestone yet. You survive.)
      But even on the days I despise every word I’ve written, I love being a writer. I can’t wait to dive in and rewrite.
      And you are so right, Gwen. When you find yourself on the edge of the Cliffs of Insanity, you take whatever comfort you find. Sometimes you need to look around and realize you aren’t alone.

  15. Ouch! So many unmentionables in one place! Joy and jealousy! Genius and marketing! Most of the time, I don’t even want to admit I wrestle with these things, but of course, I do. The only way I know to keep them at all in order is to make sure that something bigger overshadows them. I can never make writing the most important thing in my life. I have to know I have purpose under which writing is only one facet. Then I can balance successes and defeats. I can judge which project to attempt and which to pass. I can put criticism and praise into perspective to accomplish a larger, eternal goal.

    1. JoAnne,
      Great perspective. Rather than looking down from the cliffs, which always makes me want to jump, you look out–and up.
      “I have to know I have purpose under which writing is only one facet.”
      So wise.

  16. Hi Beth!
    I love this post. I happen to be a cliff dweller, it’s almost become a comfortable place. 🙂 Now that’s scary. I fully believe in not putting all my eggs in one basket. I will always write. I may not always be published. It’s taken me 21 years to get a contract for my series. There are days when I’d love to leap off that cliff kicking and screaming, but I’m too sane to do it, I prefer the swan dive into deep water and swimming away with the mermaids. 🙂 Especially those days when I can’t seem to please anyone, including myself. Lucky for me I have a counseling job I love, so if something happens and I don’t get published anymore I still have an awesome job. I’d still go to writing conferences, and I’d still pursue my writing career. It’s in my blood, it’s in our blood.

    1. I’m seeing another comparison-although the swan dive and swimming with mermaids analogy is lovely, Jillian.
      My husband is a physician–a time-consuming job if ever there was one. I’ve seen some in the medical field give there all to their jobs, including their marriages and their families. And then I’ve seen others find the balance. Find other hobbies that pull them out of the world of beepers and rounds and patients. One surgeon friend tends his roses. Another friend rescues kitties.Yep, she’s a kitty-rescuer. My husband hikes and camps (and I like to watch him do it! Camping, that is!)
      Knowing there’s more to life than deadlines and rejections (or acceptances) is so key to not jumping off the cliff, Jillian. You’re right about that.
      Now to go find a photo of a swan . . .

  17. My drug of choice? Coffee… Oh yummy coffee 🙂 I love Hemingway — not so much his lifestyle though… Who are some of your “positive” influences?

    Christen
    ChristenKrumm.com

    1. My drug of choice: hot tea. Or if I’m stressed, Coke, with lots of ice. Jelly beans. 🙂
      My mentors? Oh, I’ve been blessed with so many people speaking into my life.
      My first mentor was Kathy Tyers, and she came to me compliments of the Christian Writers Guild when I took the Apprentice Course way-back when.
      Beth Jusino, who was with Alive Communications, became a friend and mentor.
      I’m in a critique group with some amazing writers, including Donita K. Paul, who didn’t laugh at my first attempts at fiction. And before that my nonfiction group … well, I would never have been published without them.
      Now I’ve been blessed to be a member of My Book Therapy. I believe in their writers retreats (http://www.mybooktherapy.com/index2.php/book-therapy-retreats/). I’ve learned craft there. Susie May Warren and Rachel Hauck have such mentors’ hearts.
      All of these people (and more) have held me back from leaping of the Cliffs of Insanity.

    1. Nessa,
      At one of the first writers conferences I attended, the speaker said, “Everyone wants a mentor. Everyone needs a mentor. But everyone is also busy.”
      Yep. It’s true–so no, there is nothing wrong with you.
      That’s one reason I joined the Christian Writers Guild–that and to scrape the rust off my writing life. There are ways to connect and find mentors–altho Amazon isn’t one of them.
      Check out My Book Therapy–a wonderful online community for writers. (http://mybooktherapy.ning.com/)
      Check out American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) (http://www.acfw.com/)
      You can be virtually mentored by reading authors’ books on writing and by following their blogs. I recommend James Scott Bell, Susie May Warren, Rachel Hauck … so many to choose from. I love The Alley Cats over at The Writers Alley.
      Anyone else want to chime in?

  19. Loved this post. Great job. May I add the ever-present questioning. Is this writing any good? Can I write another whole length novel again?

    1. Jordyn,
      Ah … the voices in our heads that make us doubt ourselves.
      Those are always delightful fun.
      That’s why we need our writer friends. They understand us. And talk louder than those crazy voices.

  20. Yes, but I wouldn’t trade this insanity for another! I’ve experienced others far worse! I know all you Water Cooler bloggers know what I mean when I say that encouraging others in the craft helps keep you balanced. Then the journey isn’t all about me.

    Although my children are grown and married, I use my husband’s expression as a baromoter. Since he’s not the needy type, if he looks content, I keep writing; if he looks lonely, I know it’s time to come out. If I ignore him and try to plow my way through conviction, my writing suffers. And so do we.

    1. Clarice,
      Relationships with other writers–especially ones where we can give back a little of what has been give to us–make all the difference between leaping or stepping back from the edge. You are so, so right!
      Love your advice about checking out your husband’s expression. 😉

  22. Writing is a lonely gig. You lock yourself away for the allotted time and when you finally have something for people to look at they must go away and read it leaving you alone to ponder how much they hated it. I was just talking about this with my wife last night and got even more upset with my lack of progress. I told her I would quit if I knew how. The ideas and drive to get them out of my head won’t stop so I can’t stop either.
    Someday all my hard work will pay off, it’s the patience to wait that kills me. I’ve sent out tons of queries and gotten back tons of rejections. I am working on a new proposal for an old project and also compiling short stories I’ve written and quotes from the my teenager for another book. I can’t stop and it makes me insane some times. I would love to hope that all the hard work writing, studying the craft, reading how other’s do it or have done it, reading blog after blog from editors, agents, and published writers will eventually pay off and give me a little breathing room to enjoy the writing process. But since I do this an hour before I go to work every day and that’s all the time I have right now to dedicate, it all seems futile and progress moves at a pace in line with mollases on a cold day in Green Bay (Go Packers!). Thanks for the advice and hopefully I too can take a break and connect with family when I start feeling crazy.

    1. Dustin,
      If I could, I would give you the award for perseverance! And maybe the one for honesty.
      And then I’d tell you to get you’re, um … get yourself out of that chair and go for a walk with your wife one morning a week instead of writing. Sounds like she’s a great listener. Don’t talk writing. Just walk. Talk about life.
      The other six days, write.
      And, Yay! Another football fan! See, not all your dreams are tied to writing. 🙂

  23. Love your post! Especially the part about emotions. Makes it so much easier to embrace the fact that I can be a weepy basket case and use that instead of driving myself mad fighting against it! =P

    And the Cliffs of Insanity are the cliffs of Moher in Ireland! =)

    1. Bingo, Sarah! You are the winner of correctly identifying where the Cliffs of Insanity are. Although for us writers, I think the cliffs are more the “it’s all in our mind” kind.
      And, yeah, sometimes we just need to let ourselves sulk. Preferably not in public. I usually sulk on the couch. I put a timer on and go at it. Then I get back up and go write some more.

      1. How did I miss that the cliffs are the Cliffs of Moher? I’ve crawled to the edge, inch by inch, on my belly until my head was hanging over, and lived to tell the tale. 🙂

  24. Awesome post, Beth! I’ve spent far too much time perilously perched at the edge of those cliffs with the voices in my head telling me I’m nuts for choosing the emotionally challenging life of a writer. What’s helped me most during those times when I fear slipping over the side is the tremendous support I’ve received from my uber patient husband, amazing critique partners, and treasured friends. I might be the one writing my book, but I couldn’t do it with my faithful cheerleaders.

    1. Amen to that, Keli!
      Word picture alert: Just as climbers don’t climb by themselves, we writers should not attempt this perilous journey by ourselves. We need to tie ourselves to others. Don’t go it alone.
      OK, I’m done.
      (But it’s true.)

  25. Take the writing life as it comes. Get a hobby, make time for your kids, relax and enjoy the sunset. If Hemingway and Poe and all the rest weren’t writers, they still would have been drug addicts. If you had another job, like installing air conditioning or selling insurance, would your life be as hectic? Probably not. Don’t let the writing get in the way of the reading. Writing is a means to an end, not the end itself, so treat it as such and don’t lose sight of the real reason you were put on this planet.

    1. Roger,
      Are you a journalist? Nicely said and so succinct.
      “Don’t lose sight of the real reason you were put on this planet.”
      Love it.

      1. Ms. Vogt, no, I’m not a journalist, just a writer with a couple of sci-fi novels I’m trying to get published.

      2. Thanks for the follow-up, Roger. And if I’m calling you Roger, please call me Beth.
        I’ll check out your blog.
        Thanks for the invite.

  26. I love you post! And those dang shrieking eels should be shot! We’ve got to experience life ourselves (the love, the drama, the sacrifice, the poignancy) in order to be better writers.

    1. Donna,
      Great insight! If we spend so much time writing that we miss out on real life, we won’t be better writers … we’ll be one-dimensional writers. All about craft, without any of the emotion that draws our readers in.

      Loading my gun now. Let’s go hunt some eel!

  27. Love this post! Cliffs of Insanity indeed! 🙂 I’ve lived there, hearing the chants of the announcer, “If you aren’t living on the edge you’re taking up too much space.” and the things that kept me from going over the edge were writing, writing, crafting the words. When I get distracted from that, when I get pulled into other people’s things because they don’t understand how much I love the written word and writing it gets strange and surreal. Writing can become a great escape, and I think that is the trap so many fall into – wanting to stay in their world. I like Inkheart for that alone, the books come to life! Thanks for the great tips and the encouragement…and I loved the dynamics of the comments too. Really great!

    1. I’m enjoying the comments too–so much so that I haven’t exercised yet and my writing goals are languishing!
      Love your quote: “If you aren’t living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.”
      So maybe it’s not so much living on the Cliffs of Insanity, it’s ensuring we don’t jump off.

  28. The cliffs of insanity are actually the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. Fitting, for a country with a reputation for producing depressive, alcholic writers!

    I find the best way to stay sane is to–every once in a while–savor a mini-breakdown. You know, throw my hands up in the air, swear I can’t write, never could write, never will be able to write and even if I could all the agents and editors hate me. The key is to keep it brief and get it OUT of my system. I generally feel much better afterwards.

      1. I’ve crawled up to the edge (on my belly) of the Cliffs of Moher and hung my head over. Literally and also figuratively. Also, being Irish, I can say that mini-breakdowns are the order of the day. During some periods, nearly every day. They do have a way of clearing the air. 🙂

  29. Yes, yes, and yes. We are all teetering on that ledge, aren’t we? But at least we aren’t alone!

    I said this on the Novel Matter’s blog last week…and I think it can be repeated here. I realized recently that while I’m unattached to an editor and/or publisher I can write whatever the hee haw I want. Isn’t that liberating? 🙂

    1. There are advantages to being pre-published. And one of those is the freedom you have to enjoy writing all the “hee haw” you want.

  32. I really enjoyed this post. I guess we all just have to keep our heads as we wade through the shrieking eels. It feels good to know that I’m not alone.

    1. I’ve never fully embraced the “writing is a lonely occupation” quote.
      Yeah, sometimes it’s me, myself, and I at the computer. But look at the conversation we’re all having from all corners of the Internet. I don’t feel too lonely right now. The Cliffs of Insanity are teeming with other writers.

  33. Ah, but overlooking those cliffs is often a beautiful castle, and if we can stand one more Princess Bride quote (now there’s a silly comment! of course we can), “Have fun storming the castle!”

    Thanks for reminding me I’m not alone in my insanity.

    1. ROTFL!
      I must credit my son, Josh, (also a writer) for encouraging me to weave just a wee bit more of The Princess Bride through my post.
      Maybe I should ask for people’s favorite quotes.
      One of mine: “As you wish.”
      I’ve actually manage to use it in my work-in-progress.

  35. I like the whole “jump off the seasaw” advice. I’ve never heard it put that way, but this whole “balance” thing is really overdone and overrated. Nice.

    Now, here’s my question. Are we crazy BEFORE we start writing? I think so.

  38. You are so clever to use the Princess Bride to help us all feel better about ourselves. 🙂 Brilliant! I think just knowing that we’re not alone in the craziness is enough to help us realize that we’re ‘normal’! Thanks so much for sharing, Beth.

  39. Hi Beth!
    My name is Beth as well, Beth Ann Rowland to be exact. I found this post through Rachelle Gardner’s wall posts on Facebook and thought I’d share.

    For me, writing is what helps keep me from going over the ever-near Cliffs of Insanity. I write to live. It is where I can express all my darkness along with my light, no matter how “unacceptable” any of it might be to “society at large”. It gives me a “productive” outlet to express the “insanity” that the real world has created. However, anyone who creates even one creature/character entirely in their mind most certainly has to be a little “touched in the head”.
    I have said many times to people that I wouldn’t wish my mind on anyone else. I’ve created an entire world, it’s history, it’s flora and fauna, it’s languages and cultures. Writing is escaping. It is my drug.
    There is a fine line between genius and insanity and all of us “creative folk” are teetering on the brink.

    The best advice I could ever give any writer would be to use your “gift” to make every word say something. Don’t just use it as your own escape but let it help others “escape” who have not been so gifted. That way, you’ll never forget that the “real world” is what it’s all about.

    ~Beth

    1. There’s truth in what you say, Beth. (OK, now I feel like I’m talking to myself. LOL)
      I think that’s the danger to writing–it can become our drug. It can become all-consuming. Escape is one thing–drug is another.
      I loved what you wrote: “Don’t just use (writing) as your own escape but let it help others ‘escape’ …”
      Beautiful encouragement, that.

  40. Beth, thank you for confirming the feeling in my house right now as I tell my hubby of 48 years it is the time of year for me to go away to the mountains next week to WRITE w/o interruptions. To show I am sane about this, I do encourage him to take a week off down on our lovely Carolina coast to fish in the spring, which he did. (That’s a great week of writing for me, too.) Meanwhile, we also take other neat vacations together and babysit our grandson about every other weekend. So we have good family times. We are retired ministers and praise God for our health and ability to do these kind of things. I do think I’ll let hubby read your article. Then again, maybe not, if it will increase his idea about my “craziness” and how it probably won’t be going away! Blessings, Elva Cobb Martin

  41. Such a great, real post, Beth. Those cliffs beckon, regularly. On this writing journey, I am learning to trust God’s leading step by step. He’s placed mentors in my life who have helped me navigate through some of the rocky places, and the foggy places when I can’t see the next step to take. It’s an adventure, and a struggle, and I wouldn’t trade places with anyone.

    I especially liked how you talked about your dreams and maybe’s. Having other facets in my life adds depth and joy to living, and to writing. Thanks for the reminder to not place all my dreams/priorities in the writing basket.

  42. Great post and advice. I’ve found that actively working on my spiritual life is what keeps me from the edge. If I’m ever feeling down/crabby/jealous/frustrated/wondering why things in the writing world aren’t going as I like, then it’s a sign for me to work on my prayer life. It’s also a sign for me to go take a walk or work in the garden — something physical to nudge me out of my blahs.

    I also have small kids, and the immediacy of their needs makes me realize it’s not all about me! 🙂

    1. All great ideas, Ginny. Sometimes when I’m writing and the characters are driving me crazy, I actually ask God, “What would say to these people?” (This is not the same as asking, “What would you do to these people?” And besides, I believe in a God of grace.)
      And I love walking to shake the “crazies” out of my head.

  43. When I was learning to drive at night, my father told me to look off to the side and not at the oncoming traffic. That way I wouldn’t be blinded. So that’s what I am doing as I am querying my novel… I’m looking off to the side. I’m having fun with my blog and basking in every nice compliment to refresh my weary ego.

  44. I totally agree! And add to that “Why am I spending so much time writing something no one will ever read anyway?” Then I read that Kathryn Stockett thought that about *The Help* http://bit.ly/nHM9Gn and then I’m encouraged to go after it again.

  45. Lanita,
    Here’s the truth: The story of you writing isn’t done yet.You don’t know that no one will ever read what you’re writing. You really don’t know. Work, write, learn like someone (lots of someones) will read it. You may be very, very surprised.
    I know I was.
    🙂

  47. Pick a mentor is great advice – I have had several and its their voices I hear when I’m wondering why I’m a professional writer. One of my favorite bits of wisdom was when someone pointed out that everyone who goes to work in an office only has the illusion of security but really, we’re all in the same boat. She ended that one with a reminder that everything comes from God and all that’s asked of me is that next small step in front of me. That one has gotten me back in the present moment numerous times.

    1. I couldn’t agree more, Martha–do the next small step in front of us.
      Or, as my husband likes to say: Do the next thing. Sometimes that means backing away from the edge. And I am blessed with mentors who have talked me down from the ledge several times.

  48. One of the reasons we stick with this whole gig and don’t jump off those cliffs can be read right here on your blog – the virtual friends and acquaintances we make through blogs, FB, or Twitter. We connect with other writers who have all been through what we’re experiencing – some with much shorter journeys to publication than others. But we’re all in the same boat. Selling one book doesn’t guarantee any of us will be the next Stephen King. Then again, is that what we all want anyway? I don’t. I would like my work read by others and that doesn’t necessarily have to translate into millions or thousands of readers.
    Patti

  49. Great question, Patricia.
    What constitutes success? I’ve discovered that success is one thing–contentment is another.
    For me, relationships are of the highest value.

  50. It’s not the writer within that drives me to insanitys cliffs and the precipice, on the contrary, it’s my nature as a young neglected man that drives me to the brink of self-destruction. It is the writer within that finds me at the zenith of chaos and takes me by the hand to turn the personal experience into a literary pilgrimage that I invite the reader to experience through my eyes and my heart. Cowards be damned. Take this burning heart in hand and travel to the pulse of true darkness to witness who I really am.

    1. Carson,
      I appreciate your passion for writing–I think all of us are fueled to write by our own individual passions. And, yes, writing words that make a difference is not for the faint of heart.

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