And life marches on.
How do you know you're meant to be a writer? Not just as a hobby, but as a published author of multiple novels? Is it in your blood? Do you pray for it? Or is your head so full of ideas that you HAVE to get them out, much like Stephen King?
I think about Ray Bradbury, who I saw at a writer's conference once. It was the most incredible experience of my life. Did you know he sat in the library, writing out his manuscripts on a typewriter... paying 10 cents per page? Do you have that kind of dedication?
I've been treating writing as a hobby, even though I've wanted to be a writer since the 4th grade. It's not something I do on a daily basis, it's not something I force myself to do even when I don't 'feel' it. Does this mean I can't train myself? I don't think so. There are plenty of books out there written by people who are mediocre at best. What do they have that I don't? Obsession. Drive. Determination.
After having participated in NaNo the past two years, I get it.
The line in the sand is drawn after the book is written, and the editing begins.
Editing is hard, soul breaking work. It's painfully easy to give up during the editing process. That's the struggle I'm facing. I'm not only tearing apart chapters, I'm taking entire chapters OUT. This, of course, means I have to replace those chapters with other chapters to keep my word count up. Easier said than done.
So.. how do YOU treat writing? Is it your passion? Or your passing fancy?
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A publisher once told me there are so many wonderful stories that were never finished, lining draws never to share their magic.
ReplyDeleteI think when you feel your writing it is like a musician who lives through the music, the artist who loses themselves in their painting. It is a passion and it shows in the work.