I have been feeling overwhelmed and slammed from every direction lately. Some days I find myself sitting at my laptop, unmotivated, unproductive. I can’t access my imagination; I think about my WIP and I groan; I stare at my email inbox at the hundreds-hundreds-of blog posts that I can’t seem to keep up with. I start asking myself do I really want to be an author? Is all of this really worth the uphill battle?
And then I get notified by a friend I have never met. They want to give me an award.
Suddenly, everything rights itself and I am feeling much more energized, much more focused. I’m back in the game.
I know there is a faction of people out there who don’t really like the awards, and I can understand their reasons. For me, though I have two pretty important reasons for appreciating the awards.
One, by passing on the awards to other bloggers, I’m directing people to other blogs that I think are worthwhile and enjoyable.
Also, the awards serve as reassurance that what I write is meaningful to someone else. The conversations in which I engage and the relationships I build in Blogosphere are all part of the big picture of why I’m doing this at all.
I always write for myself first. But I want to share my work; I want to touch lives. When I don’t hear from literary agents for months at a time, I can get pretty down on myself. But then my blogging buddies remind me that someone out there is interested in what I have to say. I’m serious when I say that the award nods buoy me when the writing surf is impossible to ride.
So, thank you, everyone, for coming back to my blog every time I write something.
Now, onto the awards…
The Very Inspiring Blogger Award was given to me by Julie at Word Flows, who is pretty inspiring herself. The bloggers below inspire me in their own unique way:
a. BKNovelist
b. Simon Read
Beautiful Blogger Award was given to me by two bloggers, JM and Vikki. Thanks, you’re
beautiful bloggers, too! Below is a small sampling of many bloggers that I think are deserving of this award:
a. Subtlekate
c. NovelGirl
Congrats!
Thank you!
I agree, it’s always nice to be appreciated, wherever it comes from. Congratulations for yours!
Thanks, Vanessa
Well deserved, Kate! Congrats on the award. Don’t be down on yourself…just write!
That I will, Christy. Thanks!
Congrats Kate! I’ve never seen the Beautiful Blogger award before, how lovely
Hi Beth, I know. I wasn’t privy to this one either. Thanks!
Congrats, Kate. I know exactly what you mean, I get discouraged too and wonder why in hell I spend so much time writing, blogging, etc. etc. But every so often I let go of the uncertainty and frustration and remind myself that it brings me joy and can be fun (at times) and I get re-energized. I think the best part is meeting new bloggers and connecting with them.
Hi Nancy,
It is the little moments that help tide us over. You can never have too many of them! Thanks.
Congratulations on both awards, Kate. Glad I could help right the ship in rough seas. I feel very much the same about the awards, on both counts. I hope things smooth out for you soon. *hugs*
Thanks, Julie. Every day is a surprise, so who knows…?
Congrats to you, Kathryn. And thank you kindly. I just saw your “bang head here” stress reduction device off to the side. Now that is a must if i ever saw one. I mean…every writer needs at least one
You keep going over there. Those waiting periods can be so brutal…especially since there are no gurantees. What a life, right? And so very worth it when it’s who you are 
You take care, Kathryn.
Hi Kathryn, you’re welcome. I always enjoy what you write; you evoke a sense of peace in me.
Haha, I love my ‘bang head here’ widget. Keeps things fun
Thanks, you too.
Oops: guarantees
I certainly understand the sentiments of your last blog. So tough sometimes to hang in there! Congratulations on the awards. Well deserved!
Hi Len, thanks so much. Those tough days seem to creep up at the worst times! Luckily, they haven’t completely taken me down for the count. Thanks for stopping by!
Congrats on the double award! I find your blog inspiring and beautiful too.
I agree the awards are a nice affirmation in an industry that rarely gives affirmation along the way. 
Thank you, Kourtney. I also like how new ones pop up every now and again. I wish I was savvy in graphic design/computer tech stuff, because I think it would be fun to create one, pass it out, and see how it takes off.
Thanks for stopping by
Congratulations to a most-deserving author!
They are a nice “pick me up” on those rough days, aren’t they?
I know—if writing were easy, everyone would do it. But I do wish the Muse would give us a few easy days now and again, especially when the daily life is at a stressful peak.
Hang in there! We’re all looking forward to seeing that first novel in print!
Thanks, JM. Yes, if only the Muse would behave and work with us rather than against us, then I’d be able to actually eat the bon-bons while watching soap operas like my husband is convinced I do!
Thanks for your encouragement!
Good work, Kate! It is very nice to be recognized – small things make a big difference. Keep writing
Thanks, Amy. You’re right, small things do make a big difference!
I know a lot of people think the whole reward thing is silly, but, for me, it’s kinda like an acknowledgement…..that what I’m doing is worth doing. I started writing my blog for myself initially, but wow, now I suddenly have all these people who seem to want to read what I have to say lol. I am in awe of the kind people I’ve met, and the supportive atmosphere I now find myself in
Much deserved honey, keep going, and keep in mind people come here to listen to YOU!
Xx
Hi Vikki, well, it’s thanks to you that I was recognized
I love blogging because of the reaffirmation that what I have to say matters to someone. Especially when my characters are giving me a hard time!
I really enjoy what you have to say honey
Xx
Every time you leave a comment on my blog, I feel like I’ve received an award. You’re a busy, busy lady, and you’ve taken precious time to encourage me — now, that’s something special. Thanks, Kate, and congratulations on your awards.
Aww, Darla, you’re sweet to say that. Thank you. It’s amazing how much time I invest with the blogging. Sometimes I do feel like I need to cut back and focus more on my novel. However, this is where I get and offer support so I feel fulfilled in that arena.
I hear that! It’s great to receive an award, knowing that other people out there are reading your words and appreciating them. Nothing wrong at all with enjoying that feeling.
Thank you, Ileandra. I agree!
Congratulations on your awards! I agree – they are great motivators
And there is simply not enough time to check all the blogs all the time (I even find it hard to write more than one post a week nowadays!). Guess that’s what happens when your busy personal life clashes with the whole process of writing a novel.
Hey Fredrik, no there is not enough time. I often wonder how I could reorganize my time so that I feel more balanced. Ah well, it’ll happen I suppose.
Thanks for stopping by!
I’m feeling very fortunate of late, all these awards and such wonderful support and comments. It means a great deal. Congratulations to you, well deserved and thank you very much for passing it along. I promise to catch up on them very soon.
You’re very welcome, Kate. Have fun with the awards!
Totally agree. Any encouragement is welcome!
Absolutely! Thanks for stopping by.
Congrats! And yes, I agree, while the process may be tedious at times, it really is wonderful to be recognized and encouraged….and to be able to gift that to other bloggers as well
Thank you, Anne. They are definitely uplifting in many ways.
Congratulations!Wonderful perspective.
Thank you so much, Blazing
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