Tayari's Blog: Anne, Kill The Trolls While You're At It

Posted by TayariJones on June 11, 2009 06:52 PM
Filed under Writing

I'm sorry, everyone for not having much to blog about. Finishing a draft of the book has left me sort of drained and aimless. When I was working on the draft, I woke up every morning with a mission. Now I wake up and make myself go back to sleep. 5am is the hour for working writers, not folks who have finished a draft. Even worse, 5am with no work to do, is the hour that the doubting voices pop up.

My friend, Anne, who blogs at Fernham, posted a piece today about how a mean thing someone said to her has haunted her for years. I think she is really brave for posting about it. I urge you to read her post. (And leave her a comment, if you can.)

I think we all struggle with letting go of past slights. One of the most terrifying things about being a published author is that people say harsh things about you in print. I am still sort of tender about the Washington Post review of Leaving Atlanta. I wonder when I'll get over my cousin who responded to news that I had published a novel like this: "A book! Wow. Congratualtions! I bet you scare all the men away. I nobody wants to take you on a date."

I know that this is not true, but these are the kinds of reminders that trolls like to whisper in my ear at 5 am. I think it's important to understand that these trolls are out there to sabotage your artist. I think it's worth noting that I rehash these offenses when I am not working. When I am working my muse, my heart, and my focus win the day. The trolls can't even fix thier ugly little faces utter one discouraging word. It's only when I am not moving forward, when I am not dedicating myslef to reaching the next goal that they make their profane little voices heard.

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There are 2 comments on "Anne, Kill The Trolls While You're At It". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.

Comment #1, by Shelley [TypeKey Profile Page]

This is so sharp, and such a help. I've been working on a blog post that's partly about my relationship to the writing world and partly about the struggle to be objective and carry on vs. resentments, jealousy, hurt, lack of confidence--all these subjective demons that drag me down, that I sort of put in my own way when the objective obstacles are tough enough. What you wrote here helps clarify my thinking. Now I'm going to to read what Anne wrote. Thank you!

June 12, 2009 09:11 AM

Comment #2, by Curl Up and Write [TypeKey Profile Page]

Thanks for the post! I like how honest you are on how words hurt and how discouragement can rob us of our joy to write. Job well done!

June 12, 2009 08:45 PM

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