Monday, April 12, 2010

Frustration

My dictionary defines frustration as “a feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety. . . resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.”

Bingo.

I don’t know about you, but I often wear frustration the way I might wear a really ugly sweater against my will: with grudging tolerance. Lately, though, my frustration feels like a shrunken and ugly sweater. Think itchy and suffocating. This particular frustration is wrapped around my latest novel. I happen to be smitten with it (just sayin’), but I am ready to be done with it and send it out into the world. My work in progress and I have had great times together, but enough is enough.

Or is it? I have a few more elements to fuss with, revise, tweak, and massage. Yet, the hours in each day keep evaporating. Life stuff keeps popping up uninvited. Presentations and events that were scheduled months ago are suddenly here. Oh yes, and apparently tax paperwork must be filled out. And the phone keeps ringing--again and again and again, just to add to the fun. Argh!!! I don’t want to let my novel go before I’m satisfied that it is as good as it can be, but the editor in me is screaming For the love of all that is publishing, give yourself a DEADLINE, girl! Plus, there is this other novel in my head getting really impatient and squirmy for attention. Something like a neglected two year old.

Ahh, yes, frustration. Is there any of this kind of fun and nonsense in your world?

5 comments:

  1. This is a perfect description. I have my WIP out to three critique pals right now and the waiting is KILLING me.

    such patience required in our line of work

    *sigh*

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  2. I think I have reached sanity after finishing a software release for my day job two weeks ago. It was six months of pure torture! Ha.

    But I hear you about the WIP. I'm in the home stretch of a revision round -- only to start again this summer.

    But I still love it anyway...

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  3. Oh, I know, Tess. Waiting on critiques to come back is especially hard! What will everyone say and think of the new story? Eeek!!

    Ah, congratulations on the software release, Karen. Six months is a LONG time! Especially when you are also working on something at home!

    Yes, patience is a part of the game. And I agree--I love writing and revising even if I don't love waiting! : )

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  4. Ah, revisions. Every time I read my ms I find things to fiddle with. There comes a time when you just have to say DONE!
    I'm currently frustrated with my wip - or with the procrastinations I keep coming up to keep me from it.

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  5. Oh yes, procrastination and frustration go together like peanut butter and jelly. And yes, there does come a time when one must say DONE and mean it. Easier said though, right? : )

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