Sweet ‘n’ sour
Okay, I’m gonna get all philosophical here for a moment (only a moment, I’m supposed to be, you know, writing this book) about the publishing biz and the challenge of staying sane in same. And no, this isn’t a rant about publishing, so y’all can breathe easy on that score.
What it is, sorta, is a rant about those who, over the years, have worn me down with their constant harping about Everything That’s Wrong With Everything. The kind of people who, when their names pop up on a loop, blog or message board, make you cringe because you just know the message is going to be whiny and defensive.
Not that getting and/or staying published doesn’t engender its fair share of perfectly justified rants. Anything that relies so much on pure luck, dumb or otherwise, is going to cause the odd head explosion now and then. For every bit of good news — making a bestseller list, winning a contest, getting a good review or making a new sale — there are a helluva lot more boulder-sized chunks of not-so-good news. Things are rairly fair in Writing Land. Or even make sense, much of the time. Hey, personally, I think the whole industry could benefit from some major retooling, because more and more some executive decisions seem nothing less than bone-headed to me, too. But hey, I’m just a writer, what do I know?
In any case, tender egos — and even rhino-hided tough ones — get bruised on a regular basis in these here parts. And unfortunately, being in tune with one’s emotions is kinda a prerequisite for writing relationship fiction. Which is a convoluted way of saying that we all have days (weeks, months) when depression sits heavy in our lap, breathing its rancid breath in our face. Blech.
But there’s bitching and there’s bitching. Letting off steam to close friends on a limited basis — good. Constantly whining about the unfairness of it all — not good. Aiming constructive suggestions for improvement, by citing why something isn’t working, to someone who might actually be able to effect a change — good. Attacking the very people who might be in a position to change things, or who would at least be sympathetic to your plight — not good.
Stating your case calmly, with respect for your audience — good.
Getting in everybody’s face about whatever’s got your panties in a wad — not good.
Besides which, chronic negativity wreaks havoc with not only the creative process, but eventually one’s health as well, which obviously royally screws up one’s productivity.
So. That’s it from me, my little muffin tops. And now that that’s off my chest, I promise giggles and guffaws when next we meet.
