Writing is really, really hard right now. I am in a vortex of doubt and I am clinging to a mustard seed.
Writers out there, don’t let go of that mustard seed; don’t let go of that teeny, tiny shred of faith. I know what you’re going through. I know how hard it is, and I know how courageous you are. You can do so much more than you think you can. It never ceases to amaze me but it’s true: that teeny little seed of faith is all you need to get yourself through. Just DON’T LET GO.
(Here is the pep talk I wrote for National Novel Writing Month last year, about self-doubt and fear. And here is a longish post I wrote once about fear — and trapezing, so be warned, there’s a trapezing photo there.)
On the subject of making oneself vulnerable, stripping oneself down, sad and difficult things — everyone needs to go to this section of Regina Spektor’s myspace page, click play, and listen to the song “Samson.” It’s just beautiful. Thank you to my friend Marie for introducing me to this song. The first time I listened to it, I purchased it before it was even done playing. Here’s a page that has some nice comments from people expressing what they think the song is about. I’m not sure why I can’t stop listening to it at the moment, but as long as it’s helping, I’m going to keep listening.
