Still now when I see that photo of myself I remember the despair that I was feeling. I was exhausted from a period working full time when there was a little boy at home who missed me, because I’d said yes when I should have said no. I had worked a full day in the office, covering the needless death of a little boy and his parents’ terrible grief; then gone straight to that awards night. Why do we put ourselves through this?
I’m feeling that reverse roller coaster too; writing a first novel that did really well, a second that did less well, and now grappling with a lifestyle in which it seems all but impossible that I’ll ever finish or release a third (as in no time to write a new one or complete the edits required on the one I have in the drawer; and partly this is due to all the time I have spent mistakenly pursuing “reach” on Meta products for my “career”, hating it, but thinking I was doing what was required.
Thanks for posting the Sara Foster post. That looks really good. Will have a look.
I’m going to be writing next about how writers can get off this Meta rat run and still connect with themselves and the wider community, because the time is fucking nigh.
Thanks so much Annabel.
Still now when I see that photo of myself I remember the despair that I was feeling. I was exhausted from a period working full time when there was a little boy at home who missed me, because I’d said yes when I should have said no. I had worked a full day in the office, covering the needless death of a little boy and his parents’ terrible grief; then gone straight to that awards night. Why do we put ourselves through this?
I’m feeling that reverse roller coaster too; writing a first novel that did really well, a second that did less well, and now grappling with a lifestyle in which it seems all but impossible that I’ll ever finish or release a third (as in no time to write a new one or complete the edits required on the one I have in the drawer; and partly this is due to all the time I have spent mistakenly pursuing “reach” on Meta products for my “career”, hating it, but thinking I was doing what was required.
Thanks for posting the Sara Foster post. That looks really good. Will have a look.
I’m going to be writing next about how writers can get off this Meta rat run and still connect with themselves and the wider community, because the time is fucking nigh.
Yes I've seen the work you're doing re: Meta and think it's much-needed. Good for you.