All Quiet on the Writing Front
2/4/10 12:29am ~ UncategorizedOutstanding Submissions: 14
There has been very little writing news as of late. It’s making me crazy.
Don’t judge me for what I’m about to say.
I’m going to be honest about how very depressing it is to not have been nominated for Best of Web 2010 or had any of my writing selected for inclusion. I’m so happy (genuinely) for all the writers whose work has been recognized and that recognition is well-deserved. Feeling sulky is not about begrudging others their accolades. It’s all about me. This is a blog, after all. I also realize that such recognition is not the point of writing at all, but I keep it real and there’s a part of me that is wracked with self-doubt. I feel mediocre. I feel very very mediocre. Not one story was good enough? I kind of think my Pindeldyboz story is some of my strongest work. I cannot be the only writer feeling this way this week. I mean, it sucks to not have a date to the prom, right? I’ll continue to try harder but I am disappointed and finding it hard to rebound.
In even more depressing news, my hair is falling out, like REALLY falling out in frightening clumps (though no bald spots, just lots of hair falling out. I’m afraid to brush my hair, wash my hair, relax my hair, or even look at my hair), and Dr. Google hasn’t helped in figuring out what’s going on and the nearest dermatologist is like Green Bay, and I have always had thick luxurious hair so this is pretty much a real fucking bummer. My hair was the only thing I ever felt good about and now I have like no hair left. NO HAIR. I’ve tried vinegar rinse, coal tar, I’m taking 5 vitamins a day. I’m quietly freaking out. I mean, I am REALLY freaking about this. Is it stress? Poor eating habits? A very serious disease that will kill me? Am I DYING? I hope not.
I have a thing up at The Rumpus about the men at my gym.
I got a job.
My problems are silly but…. MY HAIR!
Hair is not silly!
Hair is for sure not silly. It’s probably all that stress from the job hunt? I shaved my head a few years ago after dying my hair too much. That was fun. I’d do it again.
Kuzhali Manickavel just shaved her head! It looks awesome.
Hi Roxane, zinc is very good for the hair (if you haven’t got it yet in the vitamins you’re taking).
you are in MY best of the web.
That sentiment is quite mutual.
Ok, here is the advice from the doctor: vitamin D, 5000 or 4000 mg/ twice a day for 30 days. Then, one a day. The cause is probably stress and lack of sunshine.
OMG. Tell the doctor thank you. I will get some vitamin d at the coop today. When I grow up, I’m gonna marry a doctor or just keep being friends with people who are friends with doctors.
I hear you about not being nominated, etc. As a writer whose work is never nominated nor wins any awards (alliteration, ftw), I sometimes find myself disappointed too. Just gotta keep plugging away, though.
I’ll start mailing you hair from my shower drain, if you want. I have long hair and a beard, which makes for a clogged shower drain daily. =p
Gyms are funny. Good piece, Roxane. Whose in the Best of the Web 2010? I googled but came up with nothing. Anyone have a link?
that should read who is..blaming this on multi-tasking.
jason. ew.
Like Jason said – just keep plugging away. Felt that way a million times, but this helps me with perspective … (Bukowski)
when it is truly time,
and if you have been chosen,
it will do it by
itself and it will keep on doing it
until you die or it dies in you.
there is no other way.
and there never was.
congrats on the job! i enjoyed reading your gym piece. harold ftw.
You’re certainly not the only writer who feels this way. I’m down with what Jason said…
I was actually very indignant that you weren’t nominated. You are on my best of list.
Also, go to your doc, not a derm, first, b/c the most likely cause of your hair loss is hyperthyroidism and you should get tested for it. Some crazy number like one in five women have it, and it makes your hair fall out–and it’s an easy fix, just a pill a day. I know lots of people who have it. So go get tested! It could be stress, also. Just get it checked out so you feel better.
PSA done.
Laura Ellen Scott and I were talking about starting a club for writers not nominated.
I am glad you said something, Roxane. I was bummed about not getting nominated, too. But I don’t have the same sort of confidence in my work that you do yours (I wish I did, truly) and so I shrugged it off as me having to work harder in the future.
And congrats, again, on the job.
Congrats on the job! Will you be escaping the wilderness that is the UP?
I will most definitely be escaping!