As a writer and publisher, I wonder if other endeavors know despair like we writers do. I think our spirit is in constant battle with itself, with mean people, and with reality. And maybe that’s for the best (well, not the mean people part).
We need a certain dose of self-doubt if we are to improve and maintain some semblance of objectivity regarding our work. If I believe that my writing is perfect and I can do no wrong, how can I learn? “You are all idiots, and I’m a genius” approach will get your picture in the DSM-5, but it won’t make you a better writer.
On the other hand, to keep going hour after hour, month after month, year after year on this seemingly Sisyphean task of becoming a published author, we need to believe in ourselves. In fact, if you didn’t, you wouldn‘t be reading this, right? You’d have quit a long time ago.
While mood swings might be normal and not necessarily bad, they still aren’t fun.
Therefore, in the interest of my having fun, I give you my example of the mood swings that is being an author.
Here’s a great read on the subject by the one and only Nathan Bransford.