“Writing is a profession in which you have to keep proving your talent to people who have none.” Jules Renard

So you write your article and then get an e-mail (or two or a hundred) from the editor asking questions that are ridiculous, self-evident or simply make no sense. Once it’s out, you get e-mails from readers questioning your ability to write, think or walk upright.

Or your book hits the shelves and “reviewers” (and I use the term loosely) weigh in with their opinion of every concept, word and punctuation mark. Or you hear from people who at best skimmed your book or at worst never cracked the spine, questioning your thought processes, your morals or the legitimacy of your birth.

The writing profession…ya gotta love it.

You put your best effort into communicating your thoughts, ideas and emotions and then have to clean off the tread marks from all those people who rode roughshod over you.

So why do we do it?

For that one editor who tells us we got it right.

For that reviewer who not only praises our book, but also singles out sections for specific positive comments.

For the reader who sends a “Thank you—your book changed my life” note or e-mail.

One complimentary response can balance a slew of insults.

“The first draft of anything is shit.” Ernest Hemingway

Ah, the first draft…

We get it down on paper or the computer screen, we take a deep breath and begin to read.

And then…we crumple it up and pitch it into the wastebasket.

We hit the delete key with far more force than is strictly necessary.

We shove our chair back away from the desk and scream “Aaaarrrggghhh!” like Charlie Brown when he misses the football for the umpteenth consecutive time.

Except for rare occasions, the first draft of anything is as rough as 40-grit sandpaper. And that’s fine. It’s not supposed to be perfect. “Draft” by definition means a preliminary version. And when you consider that it originates from all the mishmash that is inside our heads, it’s a wonder it makes any sense at all.

As for it being “shit,” as Hemingway says, bear in mind that manure can be turned into fertilizer if you give it enough light and air and turn it over regularly.

So shove your pitchfork into your draft and start working it!

“Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for love, and then for a few close friends, and then for money.” Moliere

This week’s blog quote is more than a little ironic since, for many of us writers, “doing it for money” has been more challenging than in the past.

The magazine industry has seen an unprecedented amount of shutdowns, those that are still in print have scaled back on freelance assignments and as for corporate writing gigs, the budgetary reductions have resulted in pay rates that would be laughable if we weren’t so desperate.

And the bills keep coming in…

If you are among those writers struggling to make ends meet, how are you handling the challenge? Have you thrown in the towel (figuratively speaking) and decided to find another line of work? Are you working side jobs unrelated to the writing profession? Have you expanded the type of writing jobs you handle?

What are you doing to keep the bill collectors at bay?

“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” Groucho Marx

Keeping in mind that the month started off with April Fool’s Day, this month’s blog postings will have a humorous tone to them. (And given the state of the economy, it’s either laugh or cry and I opt for the former!)
So what makes you laugh when the rejection notices crowd your mail box? How do you keep your sense of humor when editors e-mail you back a fast “Thanks but no thanks”?
I really had to think about this one. What with financial worries, a major health scare and a cough-and-cold that lingered (and lingered and lingered…), there hasn’t been much to amuse me lately.
But then I realized that a steady source of amusement (not that they would appreciate it!) is my cats. Whether they are battling over a microscopic piece of fluff or challenging a squirrel (safely outside their reach on the other side of the sliding door), Smoky, Sadie and Cat never fail to make me laugh.
So what mood-lightening tricks and techniques do you use when the dark clouds of despair are threatening?