Lowering Your Expectations

Some of the best advice I've been given concerning disappointments is this: lower your expectations. And there is probably no better advice for someone who wants to take on the mantle--or bear the cross, you choose the metaphor--of the writing life.

If for a second you believe that writers have good hours or that there's plenty of fame and fortune to throw around, you might consider going back for your CPA designation. While there is always a chance for fame and fortune, you'd better have a back up plan.

But really, advice such as this isn't really necessary. If you are a writer, it doesn't matter what anybody else says...you're going to write. It doesn't matter if it doesn't pay the bills, you're going to write. It doesn't matter if fame and fortune never come your way, you're going to write. There may be exceptions, but writers--as a whole--are always writers...no matter what else they have to do to survive.

For me, writing is like breathing: sometimes it's easy and sometimes it's labored...but anything is ALWAYS better than nothing at all. And while picking up the pen (I use this metaphorically...I use a keyboard attached to my PC) isn't always easy, it is ALWAYS rewarding. Even when I have a bad writing day, I feel better than not having had a writing day at all.

For me, it's sacred. In the beginning was the WORD. Enough said, but of course I'll say more. Whether it's fiction or poetry or blogging, writing is the one place where I can lay it all on the line. I can say exactly what is on my mind at the time. It is my TRUTH with a capital T. At least for that moment. And it always takes me where I need to be. I am always in the present when I am creating; it's impossible to be anywhere else. And that's enough.