Are you pursuing publication? And if you are, do you have a length of time in mind before you throw in the towel?
Will you still love it when that first thrill has worn off? When you realize that like anything else in life worth pursuing, writing is hard as hell?
If you love writing, really love it…then you have to love all its flaws too. You have to love it when it doesn’t come easy, when it keeps you up in the middle night staring at a blank screen, and when you fear you may never have another creative idea. You have to love it when you are so sick of your story that you would rather shave your head than type one more word. You have to love it even when you’re worried that it will never make you happy again, because if you love it…it will.
We are writers, without us the world ceases to exist as we know it. We inspire generations that will someday lead nations, discover the cure for cancer, and travel beyond our galaxy. Books shape us, allow us to dream, and dare us to believe in the impossible.
Love it like you mean it.
Yeah, I never wanted to be a writer. Just a Mom. But I have a love affair with stories that has taken me into something I never would have even attempted otherwise. I NEVER thought it would be easy... I just owe it to my story to make something of it. I hope I will. :)
ReplyDeleteI like this. I'm glad I never give into those shave-your-head impulses. I have a large head and I would look like an egg. Writing is really, really hard. If someone says it's easy, they are LYING. =)
ReplyDeleteI love this post and I love writing. Five years since I began writing seriously, the thrill has long worn off. I never got the memo about becoming instantly successful, but hoped it would happen. Now I know better. I work hard. I have doubts. I shed tears. I get up. I write.
ReplyDeleteNice post, Marsha! When I worked in journalism I thought, oh wouldn't it be nice to just make up stories rather than checking and rechecking facts. It would be so easy...
ReplyDeleteSo I tried it. It's not easy and you still have to check facts. But you know what? It's a lot more fun and imaginary characters don't give you the s**t you get from real people sometimes. :)
Excellent post! You know I learned today that statistics show that the happiest of people are writers... isn't that funny? All that hard work that you put into a story and yet you remain happy beacuse you truly love what you do! Not everyone can handle the business but I hope that those who join me in the journey always love it!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'll ever not love writing it's truly a passion and without having my imagination put to good use I think life would be a waste!
Excellent, Marsha! You're right...even when it gets tough, we can't lose sight of our love affair with the written word :-)
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I wanted to be was a scientist. Damn you Macgyver! lol!
ReplyDeleteAfter that I wanted to be a writer. When I got out of primary (elementary) school, I discovered that was not a "viable" profession, so I explored other stuff...
But that's like when you have a craving. Nothing hits the spot but the thing you're craving!
I love this post! It's so true. I can't get enough writing, especially of my novels. But I think part of it is because I love learning, doing research, being creative, and growing as a writer. If it weren't for those things, I wouldn't be slaving away at it when there's no guarantee I'll ever be published. ;)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on winning LiLa's contest! I'm soooo jealous.