I needed this today. I got an acceptance email last week and a rejection email this week. Guess which one is on my mind. I say that I'm not looking for fame, but how will I know that I'm good if someone doesn't tell me? I know that I'm getting better and that's what really matters. That I don't quit. Thank you for this series. It's profound!
Acceptance, approval, reassurance, success, fame...these are powers that other people hold (probably I'll write about this later). I think the trick is learning that no one knows what they're talking about and that only your opinion matters. And not even your opinion...I don't tell myself I'm good/genius or bad/stupid anymore--I "judge" my writing based on how it makes me feel. If I feel good about it and enjoy it, then I'm on the path I need to be on. If I feel shitty, then I need to reroute, etc. Basically I'm paraphrasing a law of attraction podcast I listen to every night to brainwash myself.
Great piece, Elissa! So wise. And the Cheryl Strayed quotes rock too. Keep writing this stuff about writing. You have so much to say, Elissa. To me that's the point.
Jesus Christ! Could you stop with the brilliance? Could you stop poking a stick into my heart until it's tenderized? Seriously, best piece ever.
I was Diane Keaton in Something's Gotta Give writing this one! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr4EcIrPcqs
That's hilarious.
I needed this today. I got an acceptance email last week and a rejection email this week. Guess which one is on my mind. I say that I'm not looking for fame, but how will I know that I'm good if someone doesn't tell me? I know that I'm getting better and that's what really matters. That I don't quit. Thank you for this series. It's profound!
Acceptance, approval, reassurance, success, fame...these are powers that other people hold (probably I'll write about this later). I think the trick is learning that no one knows what they're talking about and that only your opinion matters. And not even your opinion...I don't tell myself I'm good/genius or bad/stupid anymore--I "judge" my writing based on how it makes me feel. If I feel good about it and enjoy it, then I'm on the path I need to be on. If I feel shitty, then I need to reroute, etc. Basically I'm paraphrasing a law of attraction podcast I listen to every night to brainwash myself.
There's something to be said for brainwashing!
GENIUS! 👏🏼
Great piece, Elissa! So wise. And the Cheryl Strayed quotes rock too. Keep writing this stuff about writing. You have so much to say, Elissa. To me that's the point.