Posted by Aeryn Traxx
2009 was not a banner year for me by any stretch of the imagination. There were a few high points but ten times as many lows. With 2010 only a few hours away I am looking back and find the words of a friend echoing in my ears. “You are letting yourself be overwhelmed by the big picture. Take smaller bites and you’ll do just fine.” She was right. In looking back on the disaster that was my life in 2009 I did let things overwhelm me on far too many occasions. I am embarrassed to say this applied most succinctly to my writing. Instead of focusing on one piece, a chapter at a time I got too overwhelmed with the big picture. Instead of reaching out for help I let a little speed bump keep me from finishing a story. I let a beta’s remark about a chapter of a story derail the entire story. In trying to see my writing career for the Imax screen that it is I lost my way, got overwhelmed and shut down completely. I have a novel waiting to be edited. I have a short story that needs to be pimped to e-pubs and I have over 400 works in progress that need to be finished but for the life of me I can’t seem to get a handle on things. I have two conventions I want to go to in 2010 which will require a lot of preplanning, a divorce, a 16 year old daughter going thru some trauma and an evil day job. I have a lot going on but I know others who have even more on their plates so I suppose I shouldn’t whine. I need to chop things up into smaller parcels so I don’t get overwhelmed. Everything in moderation is a phrase that certainly comes to mind. My writing is important and while I would love to devote every spare minute I have to it I would feel guilty about putting the family on hold while I did that. So my one objective for 2010 is going to be all about moderation. Taking smaller bites. There are lots of cliché’s that would apply but I’ll leave those for someone else to use. My friend was right. Looking at a small corner of the picture may be exactly what I need to do in order to stay focused both in life and my writing career.
I think this is very sound advice, Aeryn. I had a bit of a melt down today over this very same thing. I think I’ll pay attention to what you said and see what happens. A good way to start the coming new year.
Tess
Thanx! Baby steps and smaller bites will be my mantra for 2010.
I think that moderation is a great way to start. I hope you can learn to take certain things from beta’s and other authors and friends who help you, like a grain of salt. Everything is subjective since the stories are your babies. Feel free to ding me if you’re stuck or need an idea to move something along. Sometimes it’s just that extra ear or positive push that puts you right on track. It’s a great way to start the year. You have a wealth of a support system in AWH, all you have to do is use it when you need to. We all need help sometimes even with the ear of a peer over Real life. Not everything is about writing but being there for friends.
Happy New Year and may it bring you success
Hales
Thanx! You’re so very right about the support system. I am truly lucky to have such a large number of people to help me over the rough spots.
Truer words have never been said. I am sorry that you have had so much bad luck and hope that you do indeed find a way to manage all the you have on your plate, but I will forever be grateful that you shared your woes. You may never know how many people this piece will touch, but it has impacted me profoundly. Thank you! May you find success in 2010 and more importantly peace.
Margie
Thanx! 2010 has started out on a high note and I am taking that as a sign that perhaps my luck has turned around. As for sharing- knowing you are not alone has made the world of difference to me and why my life is an open book to those I consider friends. Only thru friendship will we make thru the dark times.
There are times I have do take things in smaller chunks too. I get overwhelmed, but if I can look at things in li’l pieces, I do better. You’ll find it will help you too, my friend.
Thanx! It will take time to change the way I see things but I am commited to having a better year in 2010 so we’ll have to wait and see.
You know what I think. We’ve talked many times. Hey, we all get overwhelmed. Every Christmas is the same for me. Lots of stress and disappointment, but I get through and when the clouds part, the sun is still shining on the other side.
You’ll get there, hon. Just remember to take those babies steps and ingest one small chunk at a time.
Happy New Year! Hope all your dreams come true.
Thanx Lisa!! You of all people know how hard I have struggled. 2010 holds great promise for me both personally and professionally and if that means I take one small step towards success everyday then so be it. I will be published in 2010.