One of my goals this year was to stop worrying about things so much. I listened to Let it Be earlier this week – it’s my favourite Beatles song and I like the sentiment of letting things happen the way they will and not stressing so much. It’s almost a peaceful thought – going with the flow, feeling calmer, trusting that things will be okay. I can only hope to get better at doing this.
There will be an answer. Let it be.
I had a slip up already though. I was chatting to a writer about submitting to publishers and I had a sudden panic about the prospect of it happening. I felt fear. I described it as a writer freak-out on Twitter. I instantly had empathy from other writers – we do seem to be a neurotic bunch at times 
But recognising it felt like the first step in overcoming it. There was no point in my anxiety. When my book goes out to publishers I will have done the best I could do – I have worked hard on it, I wrote the story I wanted to and I found an agent who believes in the book and will fight for it in the marketplace. I can’t do anymore.
And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be
These words seemed really fitting this week. I spent the weekend feeling melancholy as I looked out at grey skies and a snowy landscape. Because everyday when I feel fear, I know that there will be another day when I don’t. If my book does find a publisher, all the angst will be worth it. I just have to believe that it will be happen. This is my dream, I have chosen this path and I need to focus on when, not if, it comes true.
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
I looked out of the window on Monday and saw the sun was breaking through. Relieved, I snapped a picture of it. I think it shows that tomorrow will always be brighter. There will always be light after the dark. There will always be blue skies on the horizon. I just have to let it come when it’s meant to come.
How good are you at letting things be?
Victoria
xoxo
countingducks
/ January 23, 2013The thing about you which is remarkable is not that you feel fear. Sadly we all have that experience. What is remarkable is that you make a strong effort to face up to it, and believe in yourself. That is an example which is inspiring and anyone, young or old, should take heart from your determination
Erin McNaughton
/ January 23, 2013I agree with countingducks–you have fear, but you allow yourself to experience and work through it, rather than resist it. I think letting go of worry is a great thing to strive for, yet something that will be time and practice. You can definitely do it! And just look at those troubling experiences as fodder for future novels.
Victoria-writes
/ January 24, 2013Thank you so much Erin!
Victoria-writes
/ January 24, 2013Seriously, you’re determined to make me cry, right?!!
limebirdwriters
/ January 23, 2013I’m terrible, absolutely terrible. So I can’t help I’m afraid! haha.
Victoria-writes
/ January 24, 2013We can freak-out together then
Lisa Wields Words
/ January 23, 2013I’m bad at it. Not only can’t I let things be, I stress about things that already were, thing in the past that I cannot change. I need to Let it Be. Great post as usual.
Victoria-writes
/ January 24, 2013Ah yes, the regrets of the past I know this well. We do like to torture ourselves
Thanks Lisa!
racheldeangelis
/ January 23, 2013I love the photo you took, and everything that it symbolizes for you. Someone (or many people!) will pick up your book and make you an offer, I know it!
Victoria-writes
/ January 24, 2013Thank you so much, so sweet! I hope you’re right
susielindau
/ January 23, 2013Sometimes I look back and think of how I could have improved the product. I am still polishing my first. I am a perfectionist and don’t want to waste anyone’s time. I don’t know how hard I’ll be on myself. Time will tel..
Victoria-writes
/ January 24, 2013Ah the old “what if”. All you can do is the best you can then go with your gut.
susielindau
/ January 24, 2013That’s the plan!
lovelylici1986
/ January 23, 2013I always used to be on one of the two ends of the spectrum here. Either I’m going crazy, shaking, yelling, and completely freaking out, or I just don’t give a you-know-what. I’m trying to be more in the middle. These days, I tend to do whatever is my part, and then forget about it. Seriously. I make notes in my planner to remind me about things I’ve done and things I may need to follow-up on. That’s how good I’m getting at letting things go and forgetting about them for a time. Lol.
Victoria-writes
/ January 24, 2013I like the way you handle it. I need to let things go better. I shall try!
Pat
/ January 24, 2013Nice ideas here. I am terrible at letting things be…. I’m a worry-wart and get hot under the collar far too easily.
We should all be following the Serenity Prayer – and in my case I should learn ‘the wisdom to tell the difference.’
Victoria-writes
/ January 27, 2013Sounds like a lot us writers are worry-warts
Good luck working on letting things be too!
4amWriter
/ January 25, 2013I try to remember how far I have come. I tell myself I have come a lot farther than how much farther I still have to go. It helps to keep my nerves steady.
Victoria-writes
/ January 27, 2013That’s a great idea, I will try it!
Kourtney Heintz
/ January 26, 2013It’s so much easier after the worst thing that can happen does and you realize you have zero control over it. Agent rejections are so scary until you rack up a bunch and revise and rack up more and realize you’re still breathing and it’s all how you interpret them. Editor rejections suck when you pin all your hopes on them and then they blow you out of the water. They’re great when they are personalized and let you resubmit. I think enough Nos and you learn that it’s just a word. How you internalize it is what will make or break you.
Victoria-writes
/ January 27, 2013I admire the way you deal with it, I will try to take a leaf out of your book!
Kourtney Heintz
/ January 30, 2013It took a long time to reach this place mentally. A lot of crying and freaking out. It’s all part of the process I guess. When I was swarming with fear I had no idea I could ever get to a place like this.
Victoria-writes
/ January 31, 2013Haha I do a lot of freaking out
Good for you!