In our line of work, we are privileged to have up-close, intimate access to the writer’s process. Often, that means being privy to the heights and depths of literary creativity: insecurity, delusional behavior, neuroticism that would make Freud rub his hands with glee, grandiosity, envy, and procrastination (in fact, there’s not that much difference between an adult author on deadline and a 10-year-old who’d rather be outside shooting hoops than tackling his math homework).
No matter how accomplished or relatively sane the writer, there’s no avoiding the mind games inherent in the act of creating a book. I can’t tell you how often I’ve talked some of our most successful, well-established clients off the proverbial ledge; how many conversations involve me explaining that there’s no way their work is total crap or their careers a travesty. Did I mention these are successfully published authors who’ve gained accolades, had bestsellers, and whose Wikipedia pages are as full of errors as everyone else’s?
Which is why I found this infographic Galleycat pointed me to so amusing. Thing is, the emotional rollercoaster most authors experience as they write their books is almost a necessary part of the process. In fact, without those highs and lows, your work would probably be flat and colorless. There are a lot of things that get in the way of good writing but smugness has to be at the top of my list. A healthy dose of insecurity and self-doubt means you’re probably on the right track…or on a track….
