Claaaaaaaaiiiiiiirrrrrrrrreeeee!! *runs at you and leaps into an attack hug*

In many ways I am good! In other ways I am crumbling, disenchanted, and questioning my life choices!! How are youuuuuuu? And your lovely fam? 💕💕💕

💕💕💕

Good to see you. :)

Aw buddy. I know that feeling. 💕

Yep. That's truly the only way. 💕

New from "Bull in a China shop"...

7 words but ih well. 😂

Oh my God you have no idea how much I needed this whole thread today. Thank you. 💕

So, if you're in a similar boat:
* you are not alone
* publishing is harder than it used to be
* people are only showing their highlight reels; you don't see all their disappointments
* fomo is baked into the internet
* art will save you when nothing else will
* WRITING IS REBELLION
/fin

My overall point here is that if you are attempting to sell books to traditional publishers right now, you may be feeling pretty down. Submission periods are stretching longer than I've ever seen. Editors are ghosting. Agents have lists of genres they can't sell. Authors are seeing lower advances.

Being a writer is like surfing. Always hoping to catch the perfect wave, but most of your time will be spent paddling against the tide or just floating, waiting, eyes on the horizon while you watch other people riding their highs into the sunset. But you have to love the work more than the ride.

This is why you have to love the work. When publishing and fortune kick you in the face, the page will still be there for you. When all you get are nos, the story will be your yes. You can't count on sales or marketing money, but you can count on the feeling of flow, of creation, the joy of art.

No CJ!

Right? It's like... EvErY DaY? What?

😊