Tag Archives: depression

Figuring out this “Everyone has a dark place” thing.

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I’ve wondered about this for a long time.

What is this darkness that I have?

Everyone has their dark side. So says Tim S. Grover in his book Relentless.

I’ve listened to the audio of that book quite a few times and I never figured out what mine was until the other day.

I won’t say what it is but it’s not alcohol.

I don’t need alcohol every day. There are weeks when I don’t notice that I haven’t had a drink.

But there is one thing I’ve done since I was a kid that always made me feel better when I didn’t want to keep going.

That one thing has made my life better even if it distracts me at times.

It’s been my go to for as long as I can remember. I’m not sure what I’d do without it.

When I’m stuck on a story I use it to break things up and when life hits me hard I use it.

I always thought that dark thing had to be a bad thing like abusing alcohol or worse.

But it’s not, at least not for me.

Now that I’ve figured it out I’m going to do some testing on it.

I’ve also started a new story and still have queries out. I’ll be sending more of them out this week as well.

Have a good week.

The moment you realize it, work harder.

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There’s a moment where you have to look at your goals and realize, I’m not working hard enough.

This came to me the other day as I was submitting queries.

I’ve written 10 novels and only submitted two of them, getting no’s on both, so far.

One is still out with three agents.

But I don’t believe I’ve put enough effort or focus on this. I’m not going to publish this year. That’s my fault for not working hard enough.

I own that.

I will next year. I’m going to put things aside, though as I’ve learned, this blog won’t be one of them.

Some things, like my wife and kids are important. But others, some events and people will not be included in that.

I’ve spent too much time doing bullshit things.

I need to work harder.

This blog will be my place to vent, so here’s my heads up on that.

Sharing stories and locking the writing door.

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I’ve come to the realization that I work better when I shut the world, and sometimes, people off from me.

It’s not about depression or anything else, it’s about reaching a point where aloneness is conducive for the act of writing and creating.

I never noticed that shutting myself away had this effect.

In what I write–horror–finding a hiding spot in the corner of the room, stopping the world from seeing you, talking to you(except for those who are closest)is possibly the most liberating thing.

I have a small group, my wife and kids being it, and they let me write. I’m not restricted by waiting for someone to text or cal that they’re in town. Or whether they’ll see me if they are.

My family lets me do what I need and it’s reassuring that they have my back., especially my wife.

She’s the on I bounce stories off of. The one I talk to when I need to solve a story issue.

Sometimes it helps, sometimes not. But I can always do that.

There are others who I’ve confused in. Let read my stories but they’re not really interested.

They pat me on the head when I would send them things, but they don’t really want to read.

They have lives of their own but my sharing my writing with them meant something.

It meant I trust you with my heart.

When they toss it away, it hurts.

It’s why I only let my wife read my stories.

I will share things on Reddit or writing sites, but they’ve usually gone through a lot revisions

If I share my writing with you, take as I’m sharing a secret. Don’t dispose of it in your email trash.

Tell me you can’t read it or that you’re too busy for it. I’ll get the hint.

Today I’m writing what scares me. I write it because I have to learn more about myself.

Tomorrow I have queries to send off.

I’ll keep you posted and stay warm.

You have to move forward

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We all have those moments when we understand that things won’t get done unless we remove things from our lives.

Those things can be people, video games, or other activities.

This on the subject of the ones who choose to leave. Either on their own or when they no longer serve a purpose either in their availability or in their attitude.

They come at you with their falsehoods, their passive-aggressive attitudes and you have to leave them to themselves.

You no longer have patience or time for it and other things are more important to you.

We spend too long in this life ignoring those people and what they represent.

We have to cut them out sooner or later. It’s always better when it’s sooner.

They distract, they disturb and take away from who you want to be. Usually they knew you once but refuse to accept who you are.

When you move forward it will suck for a while but you’re better off with a close circle than those who take away from who you are.

I had planned to take time away from the blog but my thoughts keep pulling me in.

I’m still writing. I submitted to a few agents this past week and will send off more this week.

Have a great rest of your weekend.

Writing, focus, breaks, and closing up shop.

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In the past week I’ve realized I’m not working hard enough. I haven’t put enough effort into my writing, my editing, and that it’s time to do that.

I have 2 novels, a few short stories and other things that need to be done, and soon.

Somewhere I lost my focus. I’m not sure where it went but I have a plan to get it back.

It’s been involved in other things. It’s kept me from doing what I need to.

So here’s what’s going to happen.

I’m taking a break from the blog. It’s difficult decision since I’ve gained almost 200 blog followers since last March.

I appreciate every one of you. But it’s time for me to get shit done.

I will return in June 2020.

I hate to do this. I’ve found that I need to do what’s best for me and my family.

I’m also disabling my Instagram.

It’s a full stop on social media.

I realized that I’ve been caring too much about what others think about my work and that’s coming to a stop.

Critics don’t scare me anymore, not getting published does.

If I don’t see you…