Monday 3 August 2015

It's not just about the main event

Press play while you read...

I have started 8 blog posts and abandoned them all. I have no idea why I'm so blocked at the moment (though lack of time at the computer isn't helping).

I've been quite down about how many rejections you need to take in this writing game before a win...I can see how easy it is to chuck it all in. Then you get a small win, and the resolve to continue (but more of that to come...as it's not quite official yet).

I went to Mark Ronson last week (mainly because I love Theophilus London). The opening set was by Jones Jr who, despite having to engage the mostly empty Hordern and being allotted the shortest time to perform, still basically stole the show. They were fantastic, and if you can see them live, definitely go!

The best part, they reminded me that small doesn't mean it's not good. It just means you need more time and opportunity to impress. You may not be the thing everyone one is wanting to see, but it doesn't mean some people aren't enjoying your work the most.

The EP Step On Sleep is on iTunes. (The other songs are funkier dance numbers - Don't laugh at my old lady jargon! Back off! I'm pretty feisty for a 107 year old!)

"This thing we call "failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down.”  Mary Pickford

I'm not ready to stay down just yet. And so it continues for my small but very dear readership.

Linking with #OpenSlather

22 comments:

  1. "Small doesn't mean it's not good. It just means you need more time and opportunity to impress." I love that Lydia! Words to live by (goes in well with my post of today).

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  2. They say the best things come in small packages :)

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  3. I agree with Amy -best things come in small packages. Every writer feels like this at times. A few words here and there will keep you going. I will still read them lovely.

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  4. Sometimes small is best. But I hear you, the rejection is hard to swallow sometimes. I love that quote from Mary Pickford. Says it all really. And what a great song, so soulful. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Yes it is definitely hard to deal with rejection in writing. It's such an emotional and uncertain thing. Kudos for keeping on going x #TeamIBOT

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  6. That's a great quote. Yay for a small success, can't wait to hear what it is! :)

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  7. Love this Lydia.

    When I am blocked I try to remind myself I can post something small like a few photos and a few sentences. It totally takes the pressure off for a mega awesome outcome. (And you did exactly that here so yay)

    Hoping your small wins encourage you every day xx

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  8. I get blocked quite frequently - just can't think of a topic to write about OR I do know what I want to write about but the words just won't flow. Usually the best thing I can do is step away from the computer and the blog and take a break. A break works wonders. ;-) xo

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  9. I agree, rejection is tough. That quote is a cracker!

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  10. I posted an idea for a blogging parody yesterday, along the lines of... I've lost that bloggin' feeling. I've bitten off more than I can chew lately and I just haven't had the time or the inclination to continue with my usual blogging or social media schedule.
    I think like you, I need that small win.

    Hope your small win, leads to big things.

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  11. I completely understand where you're coming from. Luckily I have my book reviews to keep going cos I'm struggling to write anything personal and sometimes I also wonder why I even bother...

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    Replies
    1. Deb, I'm sorry for not reading your blog as often as I do usually. I've been having issues with my blog comments going to spam so I've jumped off the wagon with my blog reading until I work out what the hell is going on. You've had such big changes this year. I saw Nikki share your post about your latest book reviews. You are so well highly regarded in the blogosphere, so please don't think you shouldn't bother. What you do is so very much read and needed. xxx

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  12. Keep on trucking on Lydia. I hope you get some more wins your way. Constant rejection is hard to take and they say it builds character... but sometimes it can kill dreams too. Big is not always best, so don't be afraid to be small... and I have no doubt you will grow. xx

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  13. I'm a big Jones Jr fan!! And Mark Ronson... sounds like a great gig :).

    A win, however small, is still a win.

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  14. Oh man, I think all of us can relate to this. Sometimes I feel like everything is going OK and then I'll get a glimpse at my Mark Ronson equivalent and then feel shit about everything again. Then I tell myself to suck it up and keep going. Creative insecurity is THE PITS.

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  15. Oh I hear you and a great way to think about it - more time/ more opportunity to impress. Wins are good whether big or small I say!

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  16. Wow! That voice. He is amazing... gave me goose bumps. Hope you get your groove back soon lovely x

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  17. I know how you feel but your small readership loves what you do. Keep going :)

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  18. Yeah sometimes this blogging caper just messes with your head. I never even had any grand plans for fame or fortune when I started but then suddenly you find yourself comparing and feeling pathetic. Sigh. You have to remind yourself of why you started writing in the first place. Plus,at least you have the balls to send out work to even get a rejection in the first place. That is something that a lot of people (me) can't even do. And you haven't always had rejections. You rock. xo

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  19. Yep so so true about the small thing. I need to remember that as well. Thanks for joining in with Thankful Thursday again, sorry it takes me so long to come round. The end of the week is really knocking me about lately

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  20. Even with small steps, your'e still moving forward x :)

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  21. Oh I love that quote - "This thing we call "failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down.” I think the key to being blocked and hovering on the cusp of giving it all away is to ask the question "do I enjoy it" and if you do, then sometimes a break is all that is needed for renewed creativity and ideas :-)

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