I'm not a writer but I find so much of your advice deeply applicable to life. It's such a good reminder that we are "living in a world that is not built for doing that, but pretends that it is. The reality is that it’s not impossible, but it’s also not predictable." That's beautifully written and sad and deeply true. And it helps me keep all kinds of things in perspective.
Sonal, thank you for sharing these heartening and galvanizing thoughts. I love your column and I love your advice to “reframe the idea of writing full-time as having a writing-centred life.” Yes, yes, yes. And as you’ve said so well here, community is everything. It’s the wonderful writers I’ve met along my long, winding writing road (like you!) who buoy me up when I’m discouraged, and remind me that my own unique way of processing the world matters. And when I can do that for other writers, I feel even more connected and grounded in my purpose as a writerly person.
Big same. It is so, so amazing and energizing to talk to other writers who just get it. There's so many things about this business that are super-hard; you've got to hang on to the good bits like the people. (Unless 'people' includes my nemesis because nope.)
Thanks for this deep look into writing, what’s in our control, and discouragement.
One thing I cling to is hearing from readers. I don’t get a lot of feedback (small publishers, “quiet” writing) but when someone I knew twenty or forty years ago takes the time to tell me they loved my novel, or a third cousin once removed tells me that her daughter-in-law found my essays (published five years ago) moving, I’m SO grateful.
That and, as you say, finding integrity (joy when possible, meaningful challenges other times) in the work itself keeps me at it.
Yes! Comments from readers are rare, but so, so amazing to hear.
And for every person who takes the time to reach out to say they loved your work, there are many more who felt the same but didn't take the time to tell you. So multiply whatever you hear, because it's there.
Thanks for sharing your hard-earned wisdom, Sonal. I am much like Cynical Sally, having self-published four novels in a series that has had limited readership. I vacillate between a Zen attitude about the value of my work, regardless of whether anyone else validates it for me, and sheer disgust at the publishing industry, which shuts out so many authors, now. The hoops one has to jump through, even in an attempt to get an agent (so that they can shop your book, so that someone will publish it, so that people will see it on a shelf and MAYBE buy it and read it), are ludicrous and exhausting. A little part of me still secretly hopes that an agent will read my books and call me with a desperate desire to rep me, but that's the same part of me that hopes I'll wake up forty pounds lighter in the morning, without bags under my eyes lol! What I appreciate most about your blog is that you're keeping it real, Sonal, and sharing a laugh along the way. It's good to be able to wave at someone who's trudging along on the same road, isn't it?
I'm not a writer but I find so much of your advice deeply applicable to life. It's such a good reminder that we are "living in a world that is not built for doing that, but pretends that it is. The reality is that it’s not impossible, but it’s also not predictable." That's beautifully written and sad and deeply true. And it helps me keep all kinds of things in perspective.
Thanks so much, Steve.
Sonal, thank you for sharing these heartening and galvanizing thoughts. I love your column and I love your advice to “reframe the idea of writing full-time as having a writing-centred life.” Yes, yes, yes. And as you’ve said so well here, community is everything. It’s the wonderful writers I’ve met along my long, winding writing road (like you!) who buoy me up when I’m discouraged, and remind me that my own unique way of processing the world matters. And when I can do that for other writers, I feel even more connected and grounded in my purpose as a writerly person.
Big same. It is so, so amazing and energizing to talk to other writers who just get it. There's so many things about this business that are super-hard; you've got to hang on to the good bits like the people. (Unless 'people' includes my nemesis because nope.)
Thank you. I needed to hear this today. 👏👏👏
Thanks for this deep look into writing, what’s in our control, and discouragement.
One thing I cling to is hearing from readers. I don’t get a lot of feedback (small publishers, “quiet” writing) but when someone I knew twenty or forty years ago takes the time to tell me they loved my novel, or a third cousin once removed tells me that her daughter-in-law found my essays (published five years ago) moving, I’m SO grateful.
That and, as you say, finding integrity (joy when possible, meaningful challenges other times) in the work itself keeps me at it.
Yes! Comments from readers are rare, but so, so amazing to hear.
And for every person who takes the time to reach out to say they loved your work, there are many more who felt the same but didn't take the time to tell you. So multiply whatever you hear, because it's there.
Thanks for sharing your hard-earned wisdom, Sonal. I am much like Cynical Sally, having self-published four novels in a series that has had limited readership. I vacillate between a Zen attitude about the value of my work, regardless of whether anyone else validates it for me, and sheer disgust at the publishing industry, which shuts out so many authors, now. The hoops one has to jump through, even in an attempt to get an agent (so that they can shop your book, so that someone will publish it, so that people will see it on a shelf and MAYBE buy it and read it), are ludicrous and exhausting. A little part of me still secretly hopes that an agent will read my books and call me with a desperate desire to rep me, but that's the same part of me that hopes I'll wake up forty pounds lighter in the morning, without bags under my eyes lol! What I appreciate most about your blog is that you're keeping it real, Sonal, and sharing a laugh along the way. It's good to be able to wave at someone who's trudging along on the same road, isn't it?
Heh. Yes, and magically my hair is styled upon waking and somehow the kitchen is self-cleaning?
Next month, I'm writing about trad vs indie publishing, but ultimately, they're both really, really fucking hard.
Thank you so much!