tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post1288427337449378214..comments2024-03-20T02:49:17.606-07:00Comments on Between Fact and Fiction: On Depression, Gaming, and Not WritingNatalie Whipplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-36333242079977882112016-03-09T09:45:35.020-08:002016-03-09T09:45:35.020-08:00"It's really hard to be a writer who'..."It's really hard to be a writer who's not writing."<br /><br />This. This, 110%.<br /><br />Also, gaming (tabletop and video game RPGs) really help recharge my batteries. Sometimes I need a longer recharge, however. <br /><br />Depression sucks. Anxiety sucks. Being a writer who's not writing beyond sucks.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05790112869537685030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-78196907647082091932015-09-04T16:40:17.816-07:002015-09-04T16:40:17.816-07:00I love how you are so real and always telling it l...I love how you are so real and always telling it like it is about the writing world. So many people think that getting published is the end-all-be-all of writing, but that's kind of like looking at your child's birth as the end of parenting. Ha! Not even close. Just like kids, books go out into the world and become something with a life of their own. Not like I've ever been published or even able to get an agent, but yeah, I do have a child! Anyway, I've been hiking, swimming, and loving my day job lately. I almost feel like the writing dream got me through a crap job I used to have and now that I'm happy again, I am not as attached. Kind of like gaming maybe is for you. Anyway, take care and thanks for this post!Shell Flowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08127004188099765270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-14604354419532938582015-09-02T22:59:17.831-07:002015-09-02T22:59:17.831-07:00Hugs from a fellow writer. Thank you for this blog...Hugs from a fellow writer. Thank you for this blog post--it's so good to know that we aren't in this crazy stuff alone. Gaming is also my outlet, and helps my mind reset. Who knows? Lurking around WvW and blowing things to smithereens might just be the next piece to inspire a fantastic write. :-) Much ink and papery love. Cata.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10386974078922163733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-14735637917962849952015-08-28T21:48:02.475-07:002015-08-28T21:48:02.475-07:00I have alopecia areata (a hair loss condition) so ...I have alopecia areata (a hair loss condition) so I get how hair can be a signpost for how well you're doing with the rest of your life. Glad you're on your way up!Erica Elizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14783899589722132397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-64609063594918247862015-08-28T11:34:20.404-07:002015-08-28T11:34:20.404-07:00I go through this periodically pretty much the sam...I go through this periodically pretty much the same and WOW is the mmo that has saved me from the worst of myself, with breaks for other games and so forth. It's a natural part of the creative process that sometimes you're fired up and going, and sometimes you need to completely stop and recharge. When all your tools in the box can't fix it the trouble can easily be a lack of fuel and playing games, reading - doing anything you enjoy - is a great way to recharge, so I don't think they should ever be viewed as negative things (unless you're so immersed your real life no longer exists of course). Publishing is an industry which is going through a huge sea change in which the stakes feel very high and nobody has a clue how to navigate. As a result horrific things go on as people struggle for a feeling of control - though it feels horribly personal, don't take any of that stuff personally. Easier said than done.<br /><br />Breaks are cool. Second lives are great holidays. Being a writer is forever, nobody can take it, but unless you're JK ROwling best not look for the extrinsic rewards. Focus on the inner rewards of making your worlds and having your fun, then you'll never want for something to do or for a source of joy.<br />Justina Robsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12320115891268044710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-70548031082127119172015-08-27T11:18:34.520-07:002015-08-27T11:18:34.520-07:00As always, I so admire how open you are about all ...As always, I so admire how open you are about all of this. So many people have no idea how numbing and life-sucking depression is. I know too well how it is to pretend and keep pushing and keep putting on the face of happy and productive, and I know how, despite how many times you hear "fake it until you make it" that doesn't help. I'm so happy you were able to find an outlet in gaming to keep you afloat during the hardest times.<br /><br />I adore you, and I adore your books. I wish that were enough to change the reality of your crappy publishing situation, but I know it's not. So keep taking care of yourself the best you can, whatever that looks like.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14785790197911647580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-6627866672110685002015-08-26T11:39:24.667-07:002015-08-26T11:39:24.667-07:00From what I've read about traditional publishi...From what I've read about traditional publishing (from writers with decades of trad publishing under their belts) is that it sucks! It unambiguously and unequivocally sucks! I believe them. I think the way NY publishing does business is often totally insane and that they treat writers badly at best. I can't imagine having to deal with the publishing world's nonsense! I know that sounds harsh but it's the truth. I think taking a break is a wonderful decision! You have other options in life and publishing just isn't that damned important. It just isn't. There are all kinds of things that you can do, so many things to think about and so many ways to be. Maybe you can begin to explore them now, a little at a time. Cynthia Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14595677706434920552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-6687252579459450722015-08-25T15:30:10.525-07:002015-08-25T15:30:10.525-07:00Aw, Natalie. Hugs to you, my fellow anime nerd. I&...Aw, Natalie. Hugs to you, my fellow anime nerd. I'm glad you have gaming. I got myself through a super rough patch by playing Tomodachi Life--such a silly game but it cheered me up when I could barely think straight. You're certainly not alone. I had a real reckoning with failure last year. I'm still writing, but I think it's also really really okay to not to do that for a while. I always ask my writer friends what they're working on because I want them to know I care about what they're doing and I want to hear about it...but what I really care about is them, as people, not just as writers. I think just about everyone in this business must also think about quitting or taking a break sometimes. jaclyndolamorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14175862748217333983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-52086546888417411732015-08-25T04:32:41.611-07:002015-08-25T04:32:41.611-07:00Wishing you all the best. Thank you for your hones...Wishing you all the best. Thank you for your honesty.Ellen Brickleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184391430927483100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-846531177893412222015-08-23T18:58:28.801-07:002015-08-23T18:58:28.801-07:00I am so glad you are coming out of this. Yay for h...I am so glad you are coming out of this. Yay for hair growth! Seriously, I can relate to 90% of what you've shared here. I just have to remind myself what Dory says: Just keep swimming. Rebecca Gomezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06842712720778708758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-86585826495132372742015-08-22T08:34:11.278-07:002015-08-22T08:34:11.278-07:00Being an author really can suck firfore a lot of p...Being an author really can suck firfore a lot of people. And I wish it wasn't li ke that. And I hope one day it changes. I do a lot of gaming anyway but I certainly do more when I'm not writing for whatever reason. sometimes I feel guilty about it but most of the tune time u I don't. I try to just let myself do what I do. <br />Anyway, I'm a big believer in nothing lasting forever so I'm glad to see that maybe things are turning around for you again. Sarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-14898904989607144152015-08-21T22:39:55.471-07:002015-08-21T22:39:55.471-07:00Hi, thank you for sharing a bit of your life, its ...Hi, thank you for sharing a bit of your life, its like reading my own life, somehow trying to find a steady foothold here is insane.Sycerithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02371693736178911564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-22747321991221216942015-08-21T20:11:29.569-07:002015-08-21T20:11:29.569-07:00Know that I love the things you have created, and ...Know that I love the things you have created, and whether or not you create anything else in that same format, those things are still good in my eyes. <br /><br />You don't know me (I think I've only ever commented here a couple of times, although I've read countless posts and followed for years) but my best hopes go out to you, that you will be Okay, no matter what happens next, and know that I am glad that your heart is getting lighter.Joseph S. Ramirezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00285742026682019103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-51266782802166066342015-08-21T19:18:48.723-07:002015-08-21T19:18:48.723-07:00Your post reminded me of when I realized that I wo...Your post reminded me of when I realized that I wouldn't ever be a professional musician. I was bitter for a good 10 years before I had a reawakening. Now I can enjoy music again. Best wishes. Love, IgiturIgiturhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17715554434995609577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-33263181457011932402015-08-21T18:11:18.524-07:002015-08-21T18:11:18.524-07:00Natalie, as ever, I am so grateful and so impresse...Natalie, as ever, I am so grateful and so impressed by your willingness to share these parts of your life with us. I wish I were half so bold. Thank you, truly, for giving voice to the silent, secret difficulties that so many of us face. And please know that you have our support -- my support -- whenever and however you need it. <3Kristanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04771013578685419826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-59940781168262783302015-08-21T18:06:59.163-07:002015-08-21T18:06:59.163-07:00This comment is a gift, as much to Natalie as to m...This comment is a gift, as much to Natalie as to me, it feels. Thank you.Kristanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04771013578685419826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-17095602892627091272015-08-21T18:02:38.778-07:002015-08-21T18:02:38.778-07:00I appreciate that you shared this so honestly. Tha...I appreciate that you shared this so honestly. Thanks. Paigehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14117494765310119036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-58029121391212313212015-08-21T17:29:25.539-07:002015-08-21T17:29:25.539-07:00Hugs, Natalie. I have been thinking of you and wis...Hugs, Natalie. I have been thinking of you and wishing you the best--health and happiness.Jennifer R. Hubbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03408588432492354248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-3456819413388542502015-08-21T16:24:28.308-07:002015-08-21T16:24:28.308-07:00Thank you for being so open and honest with this. ...Thank you for being so open and honest with this. Pretending things are fine, and have been fine, only keeps things emotionally dark. Hopefully shining this light helps you, as well as others in similar situations. Jay Asherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15714231298501579417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-70102748336755509592015-08-21T13:23:30.443-07:002015-08-21T13:23:30.443-07:00Just going to leave a tiny pebble here... for hope...Just going to leave a tiny pebble here... for hope.fairbettyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-75026342134785422232015-08-21T12:42:58.278-07:002015-08-21T12:42:58.278-07:00First off, I love reading your blog for its raw ho...First off, I love reading your blog for its raw honesty, pain, and practicality about writing. I sincerely thank you for taking time to share your insights and struggles with writing and life in general. While I probably have nothing to say that can change how you feel about your writing future (the modern publishing industry is an ever evolving jabberwocky, after all, who knows what is in store?!), I will say this about your past: don't forget to be dang proud of what you have accomplished so far! You deserve to be proud. I have been writing for 9 years now, and am lucky to have had an agent for the last several, and still still still my last 3 books have all failed to find a home yet. Sometimes I envy artists, who may display and share a canvas with the world, while my stories languish/live only in digital files right now, unseen, unspoken and largely unread. It is too easy to feel judged by others for having nothing visible to show for all my work, to feel taunted by the empty space on the bookshelf I thought, I once believed I could fill. Several of your stories, both traditional and self-published, have claimed such a space. Please know that your books, while maybe not multi-million dollar bestsellers, have touched strangers like me and given us better days. I'm just one person, but I hope my thanks for your ink brings you at least a thimble's worth of happiness. House of Ivy & Sorrow is one of my favorites! I wrote this poem to balm my bleeding ink when my first novel failed to find a home. Perhaps it will also help you find new words/ink to dream:<br /><br />After Midnight<br /><br />In the deepest hour of night<br />I bury a once starlit thing--<br />What dreams may teach me:<br />Glass slippers break easily<br />Leaving only shards.<br />And yet . . .<br />Cinderella's next step<br />After midnight<br />When the ball and all<br />Her gossamer glories<br />Were completely undone,<br />That step was the most important.<br />Barefoot in the dark,<br />She made her choice<br />To go on.<br />“Must I write?”<br /><br />I must.<br /><br />*L1 paraphrased and L16 taken from: Rilke, Maria Rainer. (1903). “Letters to a Young Poet.” TinyLetter.S. E. Pagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03176314153775888366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-56682718291322913482015-08-21T12:38:10.446-07:002015-08-21T12:38:10.446-07:00Thanks for your honesty, Natalie. Everyone wants t...Thanks for your honesty, Natalie. Everyone wants to talk about those that debut and hit lists and take off w/a shining career, but no one wants to be open about how hard it can be to be a mid-lister. You've always been open and I super appreciate it. Wishing you nothing but the best!Leandra Wallacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00381034024025750992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-84917379728325768522015-08-21T12:34:11.003-07:002015-08-21T12:34:11.003-07:00Living with depression myself, I can say first, th...Living with depression myself, I can say first, that therapy helps enormously. And that among other things, when it's bad, one of the things it does to us is stifle any creative impulse we might have. I've had my share of black wall days too.William Kendallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00331324250821836822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-89837191849624976922015-08-21T11:55:26.850-07:002015-08-21T11:55:26.850-07:00Love this post! Your strength is evident. Your wor...Love this post! Your strength is evident. Your words really are an inspiration.Author Robin Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14241008988410846730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-80913829255796204802015-08-21T11:10:18.911-07:002015-08-21T11:10:18.911-07:00Natalie, I am trying to hug you really hard with m...Natalie, I am trying to hug you really hard with my thoughts. If you feel a strange psychic presence smothering you a little bit, that is me, sending you love and lots and lots of hugs. Ello - Ellen Ohhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18311917335471167591noreply@blogger.com