Some days are rough.  Not just for writers, but for people in general.  There are just so many days when you feel like all you’re doing is swimming against the current.  Being an adult is hard.  So much for high school, even college, preparing us for that wake-up call (no, this is not new to me, I’ve just been reminded again recently).  As for being a creative, those days seem doubled, maybe even tripled.  We have our regular lives, then our creative ones, then the professional ones where we try to get people to notice the creative one.  It’s a constant uphill battle with some little demon at the top throwing down boulders, pebbles, entire buildings…all while laughing at us and our torment as we try to achieve success.

I took my weekend, then as the new week dawned, I started to feel this dread.  As I wait to hear about a writing fellowship I applied for, the whiff of a negative thought has started to worm its way in and make me question my skills.  I had wanted my first screenplay entered as my “sample”, but it wasn’t ready.  I love the script I did submit, but the story is not as unique as the other, although it has spurred me to write two sequels (there’s just so much to write about), and now I’m wondering if that has inhibited my progress in some way.  See, there’s that little demon, working his evil magic.  I realize I haven’t really started to put myself “out there” as a writer until this past year, and the knocks have taken a little getting used to, but as the days compound, doubt creeps in, and I think stepping away from it all to get my head back on straight is the best remedy.  Besides, most people get sick days, so should we.  And then I found out about another approaching deadline, and right now my mind is a blank.  Six weeks…and I’ve got nothing.  And then there’s this potential writing job on the horizon…this is when I decide to have a creative/mental meltdown?!  I don’t have time for this nonsense.  Number one on my professional to do list is to treat my career as if it were already my profession.  So it’s time to get back to work.

Needless to say, I decided to take one “mental health” day.  I completely vegged; no cleaning, no worrying, not even a glance at my computer.  As this blog is meant to serve, in part, as a journal, I’m putting this out into the world and as a reminder to my future self of the times endured and overcome.  Here are a few quotes to help those of you struggling as well.

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”  — Thomas A. Edison — So don’t give up!

“The only thing that stands between you and your dream is the will to try and the belief that it is actually possible.” — Joel Brown — Believe in yourself!

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door. “ — Milton Berle — Create your own success story!

You may have noticed I have a thing for keys.  I like the metaphor they represent.  Let it be a reminder that we hold the keys to our success.  Throw rocks back at those demons, whether in reality or in your subconscious, and persevere!

Best of luck to you all!