In brief, he talks about doubting your work, and the fact that pretty much everyone creative goes through that. He encourages you to push through it, not to give up. I don't know about you, but any and all encouragement is welcome.
Anyone is welcome to sign up for IWSG. Follow the link to the IWSG above to sign up.
Now for some links.
Accepting Submissions:
Grey Matter Press is seeking dark short stories for their anthology Death's Realm. Deadline January 31. $100 flat rate payment for accepted works.
Glimmer Train is open for short fiction through January 31. Pays $700 and a contributor copy for accepted works.
Chupa Cabra House has an open call through February 1 for Weird Western short stories. Pays $20, plus wholesale price on book purchases. There's also an open call for New Whakazoid Circus, a circuspunk anthology. Token payment and contributor copy. January 31 deadline.
Four Chambers Magazine is seeking short fiction of all sorts. They select a piece to receive $100, plus a possible additional piece to receive $100. Deadline February 14.
Forbidden Lust Press has a bunch of anthologies open for submissions. First deadline is February 1 (Dog Tags & Camouflage). Pays $.0075/word for anthologies.
Alban Lake is seeking "dark fantasy and horror short stories, poems, art, articles, reviews, and interviews for their magazine Disturbed Digest. Pay varies by type of submissions. Open-no deadlines.
Farm and Ranch Living is seeking your stories about ...well... farm and ranch living. Pay varies. Open-no deadlines.
Drunk Monkeys accepts short fiction, poetry, essays, and film reviews. Pay is not mentioned. No deadline.
Blog Hops:
Crystal Collier is holding her Book Release Blogfest on February 10. Her book Moonless is going to be released as a physical book, and she wants to celebrate! She wants to hear who you would want to be promised to in an arranged marriage.
Of Interest:
Hellnotes is looking for reviewers of upcoming horror. $10 payment for reviews, plus you get a free copy of the book.
Anything on here catch your eye? Any publication news you'd like to share? Any links to publications accepting submissions, blog hops, or contests to pass along? What makes you feel insecure?
May you find your Muse.
24 comments:
Sometimes that doubt can motivate us to try harder.
I think we all have doubts that we'll eventually work thru, but they can cut deep. Happy 2014 from one ISW to another.
Doubt can be crippling if we let it, but it's rarely as bad as we ever feared. I find it so hard to let go of a manuscript and let somebody else read it, but there's nothing like getting an "I like it" in response - no matter how many "buts" there may be attached!
I keep this quote on my desk: We cannot escape fear, we can only transform it into a companion that accompanies us on all our exciting adventures." I like for precisely the reason you suggested-- it's unavoidable. Do it anyway.
Hi, Shannon:
Great quote!
Hi, Shannon:
Great quote!
Without doubt, without fear there can be no courage. Without doubt our novels would be flat, for we would coast through the writing. Only the writing that is painful produces prose that is better than your last. Good post!
It's always interesting to see that so many other people share the same doubts. Not that I want other people to doubt themselves LOL but it's good to know we're not alone. :)
That's great advice, pushing through insecurity is certainly better than giving up because of it.
Thanks for the info. Glimmer Train has broken my heart so many times I can't even look at the link. Thanks for bringing up that trauma...
The last few months I feel like I have no time for doubts. I just keep plowing onward.
Shannon, there's so much amazing news today! Thank you for including my blogfest, and here's some virtual cheese, eh?
I love that--everyone doubts. How many of us persist? I heard a quote from a runner once that really stuck with me: "Never question quitting the race while running uphill."
I think doubt is part of the process. As we go forward, I think we learn to trust ourselves more. Probably because we learn and grow along the way. Encouragement is always welcome, though. :)
I don't know who that is, but I will try to check the link tomorrow.
The doubt phase, yes. Sometimes I just go through a dumb phase where I think what I write is so dumb. LOL, maybe that's part of the doubt phase. :) Thanks for the links.
Getting past that doubt is hard work itself; but worth it.
Thanks for the submission links.
....dhole
I'm all signed up for the bloghop and HAPPY NEW YEAR GIRL!!!!
Hey Shannon,
You will get even further encouragement from me and all these fine folks who read your fine blog.
I'm sure that video is of great value. My approach is simple. I don't doubt my work. I just have some fun and that's it. Besides, always Penny to rescue.
Thanks for this, "I Was Seeking Gary", posting. Delusional moment is over....
Gary in search of a Muse....
Lots of resources here, Warrior. Great job. Thanks and here's to a successful 2014!
Thanks for the links, Shannon. And I've seen the vid from Ira...I have it on my pinterest. Good stuff. I referred to it just the other day in a comment of encouragement.
M.L. Swift, Writer: The Best is Yet to Come
Ira Glass always gives good encouraging talks on creative endeavors.
And I didn't know that Glimmer Train had dropped its reading fee! I might give them a shot, even though they don't tend to like my kind of work...
Thank you for sharing this video. Like you, I always appreciate a bit of encouragement.
Leanne ( http://readfaced.wordpress.com )
Alex, very true. I think it can go either way for each individual. Either discourage or encourage.
Marilyn, I agree. Happy 2014!
Bob, that's true. I face down critique group with fear each time, and usually feel much better when they start talking.
Julie, that's great, thank you for sharing it!
Shelly, thanks!
Roland, I like that! And I agree.
Julie F., I totally get that. Yes, it is good to see shared insecurities, because it diminishes our own, I think.
Laura, definitely, and it's the only way to succeed.
J.A., awwwww, sorry to hear it! I've never tried. Eep!
Susan, that's probably the way to do it!
Crystal, that's a good quote! Of course, when we're running uphill, that's when we're most likely to want to quit, yet it will be worth it once we reach the top.
Mary, there are certain things I've become more secure about, and so many I'm stil insecure about.
Andrew, I don't really know who he is, either, but I liked what he had to say.
Kimberly, ha, yes, I think that is part of the doubt phase!
Donna, it is super hard.
Tammy, woo-hoo, Happy New Year!
Gary, if I had a Penny to help me, I'm sure I'd be good. I do try to just enjoy the writing of the pieces, but then along comes editing.
Lee, have a wonderful 2014!
M.L., cool that you've sent it out to others. It's a good thing to hear and to share, I think.
John, I didn't realize they used to have a reading fee! Even better!
Leanne, I think we can all use encouragement from somewhere.
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