Feeling Down? Turn that Frown into Something Useful and Empowering!

Whenever I finish a good book, I look at my own draft and go, "You can do this." Then my fingers wisp across the keyboard, thoughts flowing and going. It's wonderful. Whenever I read a fantastic book that shocked me with how incredible it was, with everything I love and more -- I end up looking at my draft like it's a stinky pile of poo. No one wants to read poo. No matter how well that poo is that constructed. It's still poo. Poo is poo.

Poo.

These are the moments you have to hike up your skirts (because in this metaphor, we're all prissy, mopey ladies of he Victorian era) and find confidence. I know, easier said then done, but I've faced this crippling self depletion so many times now, I've found a few methods to use this emotion to gain the drive to finish my story.

1) Read a crappy book. 

If reading a well written book makes you want to write,while a superb book makes you want to crawl in a hole, then what do you think a "crappy" book does for you? That's right, it makes you feel good about your poo writing. We all have different definitions of crappy books (read my book reviews and you'll see my tastes and distastes alike), so I giving a list of CRAP is pointless. But do yourself a favor, go to the library or a book store. Look through all the shelves and find a book you've been seeing everywhere, yet you refuse to read. Or a book that you know isn't your type of genre or looks bad (in YOUR OPINION). Pick that book up, take it home (make sure you purchase it. I don't want people blaming me for stealing) and read it. If it falls under the CRAP category (hey, it might end up being  awesome) in your book, then by the end you'll be thinking your draft is gold.

But remember, one man's shit is another man's treasure.

2) Lurk author/publishing blogs.

I do this on a daily basis, but even more when I'm flat on the floor in my own puddle of pity. Here's some new interesting information: authors have been through the same experiences of writing a book! Hell, they still face them. They're just like us! Isn't that awesome? One particular author I love to lurk and read about is Veronica Roth. 24 and already a New York Times Best-Selling Author. Only two years older than me. Whenever I read about her success I pout a bit. At 22 her first book Divergent was published -- I have until August do to the same (this is a joke. Mostly). But when I visit her blog, I find that she's suffering in the same ways as I am. And not only does she talk about her struggles, but what she's learned as a writer (a young one, like me). The other day she posted a response to the hundreds of people always asking for advice for young writers. Not only did she give some very humbling steps, but references to help improve and shape writing. This one post easily makes things brighter, and this is one author's blog. There are hundreds, your favorites included with awesome blogs, with awesome, uplifting advice.

Publishing blogs are similar, but not similar. They too shed advice but on what agents, editors and publishers are looking for; currently or in the future. Sometimes I feel good ("Yes, I'm well aware of what editors like." "Yes, I'm doing that correctly") other times I feel like biting every nail off, including my toes ("Oh man, I think mine would fall under that." "Gah, does this mean I should change that?"). I try not let it effect my first draft -- it's only one of many. But I do take this time to research, to sharpen my focus once again.

3) Talk to someone about it

When you're feeling down about anything, the best solution is talking to someone about it. Feeling down about your writing, story telling skills is no different. If you have no friends that "understand" or are willing to "listen" to your writing woes, well there are other ways. The Internet I hear nowadays is big. You're not the only one who wants someone to talk to, looking for some comfort.

4) Write about it

The very reason I begun this blog was to keep my writing spirits up. I knew tough times were a comin' so I decided to do something about it. If you're wanting something to bounce your thoughts off of, start a blog, write a short poem or story (about a writer who can't find the motivation to keep writing). Write a detailed e-mail or letter to a family friend. Write! Writing is a form of expression, happy, sad, mad, down--express yourself. Let it all out. I guarantee you'll find something uplifting in your own writing. Maybe you'll start another book along the way...