Writing: Highs and Lows

A lot of people claim they hate writing. I'm not one of them. I admit that there is a lot about writing that is frustrating but then there's a lot about life that's frustrating and I don't hate that. I enjoy writing--the actual process, not just having written--because I like to spend a lot of time in my own head.

My writing process goes something like this:

1. I get an idea that seems interesting and plausible
2. I do research and/or analysis, getting more excited about the idea
3. I change the idea multiple times, each time getting more excited about the new idea
4. I write lots of notes
5. I start composing notes into thoughts
6. I go back and do additional research and/or analysis
   
7. I start turning my composed thoughts into a manuscript of some sort
   
8. I realize I'm brilliant
9. I push through to get a complete draft**
10. I reread what I've written and realize it is dribble and that I can't write
11. I let it sit for a to-be-determined amount of time
12. I reread and slowly start editing in the hopes that I can salvage something
13. I, once again, am in awe of my own brilliance
14. I ask someone else to read a draft
15. I reread the draft I just sent and realize that not only am I a moron but this person will now be aware of what a moron I am
16. I read feedback lovingly sent by my friendly reviewer
17. I allow a to-be-determined amount of time to pass before I can reread comments and the draft
18. I edit, resigned to doing something with this dribble and get it out the door
19. I realize I am not only sick of the topic but I'm sick of hearing myself think about the topic
20. I send it out
21. I wait for reviews
22. I get the reviews and read them right away
23. Similar steps to friendly reviewer above, but not so friendly***
24. It gets accepted
25. I proof the galleys and wonder who the hell wrote this, 'cause it ain't half bad.
26. It gets published
27. I never read it again.

Today I worked on:

1. A new idea (I was excited)
2. A analysis of an idea I've been working on for a while (I was brilliant)
3. A analysis of a brand new idea that I've already changed 3 times (I was very excited)
4. Proof-reading galleys (I wasn't half bad)

*This part is actually a loop that occurs ad nauseam
**If I can't get a complete draft I realize I'm an idiot who doesn't know what she's talking about and proceed to the next step.
***This section has several loops until the reviewers are convinced of my brilliance