Insecure Writers Want to Know: What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time?

            So when I boarded this emotional rowboat called a writing career, I just wanted someone—other than my family—to tell me my writing was good. You know, publishable. And then once I received that, I wanted to be published all the time.   
http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com

Is this really so unreasonable to ask for; someone to like what I write and want to publish it? Well in my boat, it is. Do I know why? No! The story planks all seem to be cut from the same watertight tree. But every plank or so seems to squeeze out a “rejection” leak.
I’ve rowed through so many emotional rapids, sideswiped the “Almost” ship several times, and got sunburnt awaiting the life ring of reply to hopefully pull my story into the magazine of choice. I’ve got blisters on my fingertips.
These stories don’t just flow out of a shield volcano like on Hawaii’s Big Island, you know. They take planning and much too much thought and worry that I’m doing it right. I need to hide away in some cave with an internet connection to create them. Yet the family still somehow tracks me down.
Now it’s not always my family’s fault, I have to admit. Many days, I just sit in my rowboat and stare at all the plot threads and notes dangling off the port side. I’m surprised the fish don’t grab them and flip my boat. My memoir about attending college as a mother of five feels like the dead albatross hanging around the Ancient Mariner’s neck in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” Will I ever be able to break free and just write?  
            This is why I remain in the IWSG Sea. You all keep me sane and encourage me to continue to submit my YA short stories and work on my college memoir. I’d be lost without you. Thank you!
And thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing. Please follow my blog if you haven’t already and connect with me online. Leave your blog link in the comment so I can be sure to do the same for you.
This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s SupportGroup. We post on the first Wednesday of every month.  To join us, or learn more about the group, click HERE.  
Please note that I will not post in August of 2018. I have many writing projects I desperately need to address. Thanks for always reading my Adventures in Writing blog posts and sharing your insight. It means the world to me. Enjoy your summer!

35 thoughts on “Insecure Writers Want to Know: What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time?”

  1. Perfect analogies, Victoria. But, you’re a fantastic swimmer, so at least you won’t drown. Think about all those successes, where you arrived at your destination. Many harbors welcome you, and you’ve got a lot of published works. Also, you’re an experienced sea woman by now, so all that has been learned is applied to new creations and projects. You’ll get there with the memoir as well! Enjoy your blogging break. I’ll follow suit.

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  2. I like your analogies 🙂 It does feel like an endless voyage some days, and the rare good feedback we get is like finding treasure. Does that make us pirates? I'd like to think so.

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  3. So very true, Crystal. I feel any art is at the mercy of the gatekeepers and the public. Thanks so much for your kind words here Adventures in Writing. They're appreciated more than you realize. All best to you!

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  4. I had a little dingy at the beginning of my writing career, but it soon accumulated too many holes. I needed a stronger, wooden boat.

    It is always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing, Alex. Enjoy your weekend!

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  5. Liesbet, you truly keep me sane. Thanks ever so much for your words of encouragement. They mean the world to me. You give me the courage to maintain the helm.

    So good to see your cheery face on Adventures in Writing. Thanks for your comment. Enjoy your weekend!

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  6. That is very true, S.E. Life itself is a voyage we hope brings us much joy. And boy, is good feedback rare. But it IS treasure. And I like your idea that it makes us pirates.

    Thanks for your kind words here at Adventures in Writing. All best to you!

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  7. Welcome to Adventures in Writing, Melanie! And thanks so much for your words of encouragement. I truly appreciate them. Gosh, hiding out is the only way to write some days.

    I'd love to have you read my memoir when I finally get this next revision complete. Thanks for offering.

    All the best to you, Melanie. Please stop by Adventures in Writing again!

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  8. Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Patricia. Being a writer surely does have ups and downs. IWSG is a wonderful group to find support and encouragement.

    All the best to you, Patricia. Please stop by Adventures in Writing again!

    Reply

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