Wednesday 7 May 2014

Frustration an IWSG post


Thanks to our host Alex J. Cavanaugh

Thanks also to co-hosts Mark Koopmans, Joylene Nowell Butler, Elsie,and Lisa Buie-Collard.

My post this month is a short one about frustration which I'm sure is something many writers suffer from at some point. 

Frustration over the length of time things take, frustration about getting so close only to be knocked back again. Frustration when the words don't flow, frustration when there simply isn't enough hours in the day to achieve all you want to.

Anyone got any tips for dealing with feelings of frustration? 

54 comments:

  1. Distraction. Take some deep breaths, then go for a walk, or do something you find relaxing. If you have an understanding family member, they might even let you vent at them, which can also be super helpful!

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  2. Aloha! I play with my kids and if that isn't an option (it would take too long to fly them over to you :) I go running or watch a favorite show.

    Basically, just what Kyra said, only in different words :)

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    1. Or I could fly to you (lol!) Yeah I think distraction is a good idea, thanks Mark.

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  3. My post is on a similar theme, so I can completely understand. I, too, agree with Kyra - although my distractions usually take the form of eating too much chocolate and throwing things! Good luck, and I hope these frustrations don't last too long.

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    1. Chocolate works sometimes as does the odd glass of wine! Throwing things, hmm not tried that one ... yet! Thanks, Annalisa.

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  4. I wish I had tips but I will just send good wishes your way. I hope you are feeling better soon!

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    1. Aww thanks Julie. I know the feelings will pass again but it is just well ... FRUSTRATING! Best wishes to you too :)

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  5. I know that feeling! I growl a lot whenever I have to add something to my already busy schedule. I'm a chocolate eater too, but it doesn't clear up my calendar!

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    1. No sadly it doesn't seem to work like that for me either! Thanks for the encourage, Christine.

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  6. Hmmm could go to the gutter, that can get frustrations out lol

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  7. I've been frustrated with myself time and again, at not being able to get a piece right or be as productive as I want to be.. But then I tell myself, frustration never helped anyone, I need to loosen up and calm down. Hope things get better for you soon!

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    1. Thank you I do know the feelings pass again just in one of those waves at the moment I think. Thanks for the support.

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  8. I think all writers feel that from time to time. I suggest just putting it away for a while and focusing on something completely different for a day. Last Friday I decided to go to the 72 team Invitational Track Meet at one of our local high schools. I was a runner, and then a coach for 8 years. It was a great time, and I found that the next day I was feeling a lot more "on top" of things.
    Just an idea...
    http://delightdirectedliving.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-to-z-challenge-2014-reflections.html

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    1. Certainly a bit of distance can help Tina, thanks for the suggestion and the links.

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  9. OOPS...I thought I had my signature to paste...but that was a really great Reflections post if you'd like to pop over and say hi to Maria ;-)
    Tina @ Life is Good
    On the Open Road! @ Join us for the 4th Annual Post-Challenge Road Trip!

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  10. Chocolate? Honestly, I'm dealing with this myself and will probably be stalking your comment section for tips. :) *hugs*

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    1. I thought it might be something others felt too at times. *Hugs* to you too. Just a few kindly, supportive words help and I knew IWSG would provide that.

      Thanks Guys!

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  11. Take a break from your work - sometimes it does wonders for me. If not, just try to push through it - you'll get there in the end.

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  12. I think doing some physical activity helps me when I am frustrated. Also being outdoors and breath fresh air. Focusing in something else. Dragon hugs always help too. :)

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    1. I do like going for a walk to clear my head. Thanks Al.

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  13. I feel your pain! This could have been my ISWG post, too! Playing with kids, eating chocolate, punching bags, all great distractions, I've used all of them, and more, this year only to discover that, as Laura said, I just had to push through. Tomorrow is another day and with it answers often come. Best of luck to you.

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    1. Thanks, Jenn. Tomorrow is indeed another day. Sorry you are experiencing similar feelings at the moment too.

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  14. Even though I often suffer from frustrating with my writing, I probably don't have useful suggestions. Usually I find that if I just go to bed, I'll wake up the next day having forgotten all about the previous day's frustrations. Of course, that doesn't mean I won't get frustrated all over again. Just take a little break for a couple of days and come back to it later.

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    1. Sound advice, ken. Thank you. A good night's sleep can do wonders.

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  15. Becoming a writer has got to be one of the most frustrating ambitions ever. It might help if you read around the blogs of published authors to see how long the whole thing took them (I think Nicola Morgan spent 21 miserable years trying to get published!) And lots of authors weren't picked up until they were on their seventh or eighth book. It's like an endurance test!
    Failing that, you could buy a Game of Thrones box set and watch all the characters getting their heads lopped off with great big swords. That always cheers me up no end!

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    1. A marathon, certainly! I haven't watched GoT but hear so much good stuff about it I think I will have to give it a try. Thanks, Helen.

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  16. Work on something else. It'll get your mind off your frustrations.

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  17. I've finally gotten over my frustrations. I'm no longer surprised or disappointed in myself when I fail to meet (my self-imposed) deadlines. I no longer feel I have to be everywhere, doing everything. I can't control how fast I accomplish things, but I can control the quality of what I do accomplish. Don't sweat the little annoyances, Suzanne. Be proud of what you CAN do and know that you'll get where you want to be eventually. :)

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    1. Sounds like great advice, Lexa I will certainly try and stress less!

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  18. I started writing in the mid-90s, so I know something about this subject! Haha. I think at some point you have to realize all you can really control is the writing and submitting. I found it was best to have multiple irons in the fire at all times so that when I was rejected, I still had hope elsewhere. I think it does get a little easier over time, and when you do finally get that book on the shelves, it feels really, really good!

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    1. I agree having a few 'irons in the fire' is a good idea. Hoping for that good feeling soon. Thanks for the support, Stephanie.

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  19. Yep. Understand. When I'm in the grip of frustration I read and I hike. Not at the same time, mind you. But those two things ease me back to center.

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    1. Yeah can see why they would be difficult to do together! Thanks for the advice :)

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  20. Frustration and I are firm friends, especially trying to sell my book.
    Great post.
    Yvonne.

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  21. Frustration and publishing go hand in hand. I like the comment above that compared it to an endurance test.

    You will get there.

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  22. I can relate! I have a BIG to do list for my blog and I am frustrated I can't get it done all at once.

    I spent about 30 minutes today with paper and pencil. Writing out my to do list. It was overwhelming.

    But, I will just tackle one thing at a time, and remember that I have all the time in the world to do it.

    If my logo doesn't get completed tomorrow, no big deal! There is always the next day.

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    1. My apologies for the deleted comments. Somehow I managed to post the same comment three times!

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    2. No worries, Carrie-Anne I appreciate your visit.

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  25. Oh my gosh, YES. Now I need to go eat a chocolate bar. Ha!

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  26. Break things? Hehe, just kidding......though that might not be a bad last resort :D

    I wish I had an easy answer, but we each deal with frustration differently. I try to just focus past the thing that was frustrating me (easy to -say-, I know) and look to how to overcome the hurdle standing in my way.

    Best of luck!

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    1. Excellent advice - the looking past the frustration, not the throwing, although that might work too! Thanks for stopping by, Mark.

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  27. Hi Suzanne,

    I'm rather late in arriving. Perhaps a change of routine might help. A distraction away from writing that actually inspires your writing. I know if you try to force the words it doesn't feel natural. I'm lucky that I write whenever I want and that's it. If all else fails, Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar takes over. Thinking surreal helps me get through my frustrations. I laugh at the irony of it all.

    Have a peaceful Sunday.

    Gary :)

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