I hear you about the “no one from my real life actually listens to my podcast” phenomenon! Other than the buddy who makes the show with me, natch. My own version of “shouting into the void” involves fixating on basically two “big idea” stories that I occasionally try to write, over and over again for nearly the past twenty years. I know we should “create for ourselves first,” but we also only want to create so we can share that creation, right? So yeah: I get it, man. I also noticed a while back that I was the person keeping most of my “friendships” active: if I didn’t call or text or email, then just...nothing would happen. So, I started pulling back, seeing who would reach out to me instead. That’s had some results :)
Knave! No further self-pitying stuff! I WILL CHASE YOU ABOUT, WAVING SWORDS!
I am sorry you're having trouble with discouragement. There's not much I can offer as advice -- I'm the opposite of wise, so I never have anything worthwhile to share. But maybe you should get a book of writing prompts and use that to keep exercising the writing muscles...
It is so, so hard right now and I am sorry that you are feeling the brunt of social isolation and professional discontent. And of course they are happening at the same time. I just want you to know, you are not alone in your struggle and you are loved, even by the 'people I know' category of people. I think the search for a community and for the feeling of accomplishment that comes with professional success is a universal. It is what we all want. That being said, it seems to be one of the most difficult goals to even fully grasp. I hope you find joy in the striving, even as you move through the crucible of the current situation. And, of course, I hope that you find all you are looking for in the process.
Firstly - I may not be in DFW, and I may not always be around, but lemme remind you of what Spock said on the wrong side of the safety glass down in Engineering. That.
You send me what you wrote. I listen in to your podcasts and guesting on podcasts as I see you post them! But send me what you're working on. I'm famously good at actually getting to stuff pals worked on. Then you'll know at least someone other than Carlitos has looked at it.
You're a very good dude, and one of my foremost complaints is that you and Sandy moved away. You keep on being exactly you. Excellent work. No notes.
This hit hard Max. I won't presume to know exactly how you feel, but I've been there and it's a rough place to be. Just remember that you are smart, talented, and a great writer. We were in Chicago recently and I was disappointed when I remembered you all had moved. And even though we've only met once IRL, I would happily bail you out of jail.
Hi, all—I hope you'll forgive the group response. I just wanted to say how much your replies mean to me, and I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate you all taking the time. First, I want you all to know that I'm fine, and I'm grateful for your concern. Getting this out in writing helped kick me out of the funk, but hearing from each of you helped even more. I'm touched by your encouragement, your support, and most of all by your empathy. I appreciate you all more than I could say. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I had no idea we were in such similar places (and apparently have similar sisters). I'd really just like to sit around and chat with you about this because my motivation-o-meter is on E. Of course, you're a real writer whereas I've been eating shit at a job that pays the bills for ages, but still...man, this was better than a visit to my therapist.
BTW, being the nerdy kid who reads is a lot of fun, huh? Especially when you're carrying around a book with "MOORCOCK" in huge red letters on the back of it.
I hear you about the “no one from my real life actually listens to my podcast” phenomenon! Other than the buddy who makes the show with me, natch. My own version of “shouting into the void” involves fixating on basically two “big idea” stories that I occasionally try to write, over and over again for nearly the past twenty years. I know we should “create for ourselves first,” but we also only want to create so we can share that creation, right? So yeah: I get it, man. I also noticed a while back that I was the person keeping most of my “friendships” active: if I didn’t call or text or email, then just...nothing would happen. So, I started pulling back, seeing who would reach out to me instead. That’s had some results :)
Knave! No further self-pitying stuff! I WILL CHASE YOU ABOUT, WAVING SWORDS!
I am sorry you're having trouble with discouragement. There's not much I can offer as advice -- I'm the opposite of wise, so I never have anything worthwhile to share. But maybe you should get a book of writing prompts and use that to keep exercising the writing muscles...
It is so, so hard right now and I am sorry that you are feeling the brunt of social isolation and professional discontent. And of course they are happening at the same time. I just want you to know, you are not alone in your struggle and you are loved, even by the 'people I know' category of people. I think the search for a community and for the feeling of accomplishment that comes with professional success is a universal. It is what we all want. That being said, it seems to be one of the most difficult goals to even fully grasp. I hope you find joy in the striving, even as you move through the crucible of the current situation. And, of course, I hope that you find all you are looking for in the process.
Firstly - I may not be in DFW, and I may not always be around, but lemme remind you of what Spock said on the wrong side of the safety glass down in Engineering. That.
You send me what you wrote. I listen in to your podcasts and guesting on podcasts as I see you post them! But send me what you're working on. I'm famously good at actually getting to stuff pals worked on. Then you'll know at least someone other than Carlitos has looked at it.
You're a very good dude, and one of my foremost complaints is that you and Sandy moved away. You keep on being exactly you. Excellent work. No notes.
This hit hard Max. I won't presume to know exactly how you feel, but I've been there and it's a rough place to be. Just remember that you are smart, talented, and a great writer. We were in Chicago recently and I was disappointed when I remembered you all had moved. And even though we've only met once IRL, I would happily bail you out of jail.
Hi, all—I hope you'll forgive the group response. I just wanted to say how much your replies mean to me, and I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate you all taking the time. First, I want you all to know that I'm fine, and I'm grateful for your concern. Getting this out in writing helped kick me out of the funk, but hearing from each of you helped even more. I'm touched by your encouragement, your support, and most of all by your empathy. I appreciate you all more than I could say. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Whoa boy.
I had no idea we were in such similar places (and apparently have similar sisters). I'd really just like to sit around and chat with you about this because my motivation-o-meter is on E. Of course, you're a real writer whereas I've been eating shit at a job that pays the bills for ages, but still...man, this was better than a visit to my therapist.
BTW, being the nerdy kid who reads is a lot of fun, huh? Especially when you're carrying around a book with "MOORCOCK" in huge red letters on the back of it.