Some days I sit in front of my keyboard, and the writing flows.  I don’t have to “search” for a word or scene because  everything surges through my fingers with minimal effort.   I’m higher than a kite because of my creativity.  I’m on top of the world!

Then the next day I’ll read what gave me such a “buzz” the day before.  And I’ll think to myself, this is a bunch of hog-wash.  What I have written is nothing but drivel.   How can I possibly think I’m a writer?  Why am I wasting my precious time on earth writing?

Or I’ll put something I’ve written on “review sites” such as Zoetrope or TriggerStreet.  One review will praise  my story,  the next reviewer will tell me the story rates about as high as a dead bug under a fly swatter.

Oh, the ride we are on!  It’s enough to put you in the looney bin.   But, there are things we can do to deal with this “motion sickness”. 

The internal battle inside you, the “I can’t write” low versus the “I’m a great writer” high…  This is a hard one to deal with.  Personally, I just accept it and keep writing.  If a particular project is causing a lot of self-doubts, then I move on to another project.   I’ve decided I’m really not into self-torture!

As a writer, there are many things you can do to keep yourself stoked.  One thing I do is visit a  computer file of mine  titled WHAT IF.   It’s a great cure for the “writer blues”. 

The WHAT IF file is a great diversion.  WHAT IF I was invisible?  WHAT IF the doorbell rang and it was my dead ex-husband?  WHAT IF the sun quit shining?  WHAT IF no one picked up the trash?  WHAT IF?  WHAT IF?  WHAT IF?     So many “what if” scenarios!  As you add to this file, you will find it to be a great place to go for ideas!

Receiving reviews from other writers can impact your emotional well-being, too, if you aren’t careful.  First and foremost, don’t take anything personal.  Not everyone is going to love your work.   And remember the reason you are getting a review … to help you improve and hone your craft.  Personally, I hate reviews that tell me how wonderful my story is and don’t tell me how I can improve!

Anyway, when you get a review you will discover that, all of a sudden, what you thought was “perfect”, is full of misspelled words, missing apostrophe’s, and places that just don’t make sense.   That’s okay.  Remember the purpose of a review is to help you get better. 

I try to put space between my work and the reviews because it helps me see things more clearly.   I’ll use recent projects of mine to illustrate how I do this.

I just finished a major rewrite of  “Revenge”, a feature I started a couple years ago.   I had several friends agree to read it plus I put it on Zoetrope.  While  waiting for those reviews, I started to revise a  feature I started last year titled “Unknown Caller”. 

Now yesterday I received two “Revenge” reviews, and this morning I received another.   Many writers would put aside “Unknown Caller” and immediately start to rewrite “Revenge”.   No, no, no, that is not what I do.  If it works for you, fine, but that’s not what I do.

Some writers  get defensive if the reviews offer a lot of negativity or suggestions.  They actually write lengthy e-mails to their reviewers, and defend their writing.   I do not encourage this at all.  That is NOT what I do.

Here is what I do.  I read the reviews through, and write the reviewers, thanking them for their time.  And then I file the reviews away.    Why?  Because I want to put time between one project and another.  I will not give those reviews another thought until I’m done with “Unknown Caller” and ready again to commit to “Revenge”.   When I’m ready to look at “Revenge” again, I will read it through, I will study the reviews, and then I’ll begin the next revision!

Now, this wouldn’t work if I were writing on a deadline but right now it works for me.

The thing is, there isn’t much I would trade my writing time for because it means too much to me. 

So my advise, just expect the ups and downs, accept them, and keep writing.  Enjoy the ride!