I’m at an impasse. All efforts have been poured into one thing and the old phrases about eggs and baskets spring to mind. I feel as though I’ll always be an also-ran, always be “ok”. The worst thing about writing, publishing is that you put your heart,soul, tragedy, joy out for all to see and judge and judge they do. And dismiss, and disregard. I’m not sure I’m built for this. Brain and body restrict, courage falters and perhaps I should just stick to cleaning, cooking and gardening where at least I can see the results. Yet another place where I don’t fit. My solace has become a source of sadness. I wish I could go back to before I started trying.
Not waving
Published by Kathryn Anna
Kathryn is a writer based in Shropshire. She writes short fiction, flash fiction and poetry. She has no formal education in creative writing but she reads every poetry book she can get her hands on, and enjoys various online writing groups and courses. Kathryn has M.E., which brings its own challenges to her working practice, and means she has to monitor her activity with great care. Despite the frustration of these limitations she has reached her goal of having work published, thanks to support from Nine Arches Press Dynamo mentoring scheme. Kathryn has work published or forthcoming in print magazines like Mslexia, Popshot Quarterly and The Dawntreader and online in places like Words for the Wild, Nine Muses Poetry, Sledgehammer and Riggwelter Press. She was longlisted for the 2019 Fish prize for short fiction, and Paper Swans Press single poem prize in 2020. Kathryn is a columnist for Spelt Magazine, and has recently been awarded a micro bursary from Raven Studios in Shrewsbury to work on a new pamphlet. She also accepts private commissions under the moniker Poems from the Hare. When her health allows, Kathryn works as a freelance copywriter and can write confidently across a range of subjects, including travel, food, literature, hospitality and customer service. In addition to these core topics, excellent research skills means she can tackle subjects as diverse as muscle cars and dog training. She takes on proofreading and editing work as requested. You can find out more at her business site https://thewordemporium.wordpress.com/ Kathryn loves language and its persuasive power. Most of all she loves to write. View all posts by Kathryn Anna
No, don’t let the naysayers put you off. You have a huge talent and you clearly love it. It is easy to chuck stones from the sidelines but harder to put yourself out there and I guess this is something of an occupational hazard. Could you be having a drop in adrenaline after the production of Dust? It must have been such a close to home emotional project. Take the useful criticism for learning and the rest can just fuck off. Don’t let the internal demons take over, it’s not real, just imposter syndrome.
People love your work look to them
Much love Cx
Regards Claire clairepennell@gmail.com clairepennell@gmail.com
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Thank you xxx
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