It's the first Wednesday of the month, so it's time for The Insecure Writers! The IWSG is an online group created by Alex J. Cavanaugh for writers. You, too, can join us anytime!Happy March, everyone! I'm always happy when February finally ends, but this year I'm overjoyed. It's March! It's spring!! Well, almost, anyway!!!
This excitement is in spite of the fact that I've lived in New England for most of my life, and so I know that March is the king of unmet expectations. March comes in with a super cool haircut and a hot leather jacket and a chip the size of Montana on its shoulder. It smirks at us, saying, "Oh, you want spring, huh? How about this blizzard first?" And then it proceeds to dump more winter on us, proving itself to be just another normal, boring month posing as a sexy summer crush.
BUT, I remain hopeful. Even though the past says otherwise; even though it's snowing as I write this. Again. It's March, and spring is coming, dammit.
So, that's my message for IWSG today, folks: be hopeful. Against all the odds, against all of those gloomy statistics about publishing and dark predictions on the death of literature, against all of our own fears about not being good enough, talented enough, savvy enough, driven enough, against writers' block and crippling anxiety and the unbearable weight of expectations; against the mountains of snow and the pinnacles of ice and the grey, heavy skies: hope.
After all, as someone once said, hope is the thing with feathers. Just watch: it'll out-fly us all.
I'm hopeful winter is over sooner rather than later. I'm tired of snow. I'm tired of cold. I'm tired of dry skin. C'mon spring!!
ReplyDeleteHere in Houston, the weather can't decide. It'll get to near 80 this afternoon, then it's going to be in the 30s by morning. Go figure...
ReplyDeleteIWSG #142 until Alex culls the list again.
Spring is coming. We'll see if G.R.R.M. ever writes THAT line. Heh.
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, I'm looking at several new inches of snow this morning. Bleh.
As far was the approach of spring goes, now that's it's March, I am hopeful, although April can sometimes be just as bad as February in Michigan. Fortunately, I've gotten so much writing accomplished that I've scarcely noticed the winter. At least for the most part.
ReplyDeleteOuch...more snow?? >_< Happy March! I hope that it starts to warm up. Even in Cali we're begging for 75 degree weather. Bring out those sunglasses, shorts, and leather jackets!
ReplyDeletelife's def kicking my butt these days but I refuse to give up hope!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I find this interesting because I dreamed of getting a feather tattoo last night . . .
ReplyDeleteI've been in a gloomy mood for so long this was just what I needed to read. What a great analogy.
ReplyDeleteI love your description of March! Thanks for the hope. Spring IS almost here, both in reality and in each writing world. It's just a matter of getting through those bleak winter months.
ReplyDeleteI feel for you. More snow for us later today and then it's coming for you. But this weekend looks like spring to me. Holding onto hope.
ReplyDeleteHere in Florida, March feels like summer. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Yesterday march was in full form with snow at the beginning turning to sleet, freezing rain and then just rain. It is a balmy -1C and tomorrow down to -8 but then back to 0 on Saturday. March is the official jackass of the year
ReplyDeleteI'm maintaining hope.
ReplyDeleteWe're in the 70's right now. And muggy. Want to trade?
So true. Sometimes it feels like writing-wise the snow never ends. But here's to spring coming--in every way.
ReplyDeleteThanks for an encouraging post!
What an inspirational post.Glad to know you're in a good place mentally. Keep up the positive vibes!
ReplyDeleteGreat way to look at the never ending snow.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved March. But then, it reminds me that I was born and am currently alive--and that is worth celebrating. I hope the snow abates and spring comes in quick!
ReplyDeleteVery nicely written, Liz. I loved your comparison=)
ReplyDeleteLet us all hope for snagging that publishing contract or grabbing a reputable agent's attention. And let us all hope that this dreadful weather comes to an end... at least after this current snow-down we are having again! Ugg! It's definitely going to be a showdown between the snow and spring this month.
Great post, Liz. Inspiring and so true. All the best!
ReplyDeleteSomebody's got to beat the odds, right? Might as well be us!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the butt-kicking inspiration.
Yes, be hopeful. Spring will come!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great metaphor. I never would have thought of March as an angsty YA character. :P
ReplyDeleteBut you're right. My real hope right now is that I'll be able to find the real stories for the two plots I've been working on - there's been a lot of flailing, and it really feels like I'll never figure these out. But I'll keep trying.
Yes, hang in there. Spring is definitely coming. :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome. Love this post. And, unfortunately, it's so bloody true. Hey, it's wicked warm here today, though. In the 30s. :-) Hope.
ReplyDeleteI hope I can grab on before it out-flies us all! Don't lose heart, Liz. Write the stories you were meant to write, come what may.
ReplyDeleteI love this inspiring post. It struck a chord.
ReplyDeleteThe weather can't make up its mind where I am. Freezing just the other day and this week we'll be in the 70's. Crazy! I hope you get some warm weather soon. Thanks for the inspiration.
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