By WB Intern Cathy Sheafor
A Writer’s Journey
When I entered WSS two months ago, I felt like my personal journey to publication was an awful lot like crossing a lake in a windstorm on a blow-up swan without a paddle. My destination was distant and the progress was slow. I was occasionally blown off course by unexpected life events and sometimes critiques spun me in circles.
Staying Grounded
Every year I choose a word of the year. My word for 2023 is grounded. And, I did not feel grounded at all. I wanted to find a way to feel the solidity of the earth beneath my feet and KNOW I was going to succeed in writing.
I found that the first WSS session and the feedback thereafter helped me start to solidify my direction and gain strength. It had the added benefit of motivating me to keep going. I plunged into querying a few manuscripts to a few agents and I continued to write and revise. I felt energized, validated, and more confident.
Then, the rejections came. I felt like I was paddling across a vast lake with a spoon. I was not grounded. I wondered if I could maintain the course when the progress was so slow. I wondered if I would ever feel the magic of being connected to who I am as a writer. Because I have WSS, I messaged the class instructor and she immediately sent some words of encouragement my way and offered both supportive and actionable advice.
I am not over the hump of disappointment and uncertainty. Imposter syndrome is real. And, I am not standing on solid ground. YET. But, I am growing. And, WSS is helping me to ensure that I have a balanced healthy approach to writing. It gives me a nice mix of writing, submitting, and supporting (even emotionally). It pushes me to expand my knowledge base and improve my writing. I especially love the monthly literary studies. Later this month, I will deliver a 20 minute craft presentation to my cohort. I have loved every minute of creating it! WSS offers me the support I need structurally, developmentally, and emotionally. And, thanks to WSS, I will submit more manuscripts to agents and editors.
You may be wondering if I would have done these things without WSS. The answer is still maybe. But what makes WSS so important to my journey is the warm encouragement of the instructor. I feel comfortable being vulnerable with her. I feel grounded listening to her. Without her seeing some strength in my writing, I might not find the strength in me. Without WSS, I would still be spinning in the middle of the lake.
You Can Join Too!
For those who enjoy illustrating, applications are still open for Katy Tanis’ upcoming Write. Submit. Support. session for Author/Illustrators.
WSS programming will be returning again in the fall. Watch for announcements on the Writing Barn social media pages and our website. Then, pick up a paddle by signing up for WSS and begin to navigate your way to your dream writing destination.
About the Author
Cathy Sheafor is a writer from North Carolina. She is a graduate of Duke University and Washington University School of Law. She is currently working on picture books and her first middle grade novel. She loves to swim, hike, travel and paint when she is not writing or reading.