The Achiness of Writing
Oct 17th, 2007 by Kristi
It hits me like a ton of bricks. I should be writing something.
Not this, though I love this and I think I’m better at this than writing other things. No, I should be writing something else. Something pretty. Something that I could get lost in if I were not me and I was just a reader and I picked the book off of the shelf because I liked the cover.
Last year I wrote a story called The Swindler’s Daughter. I called it a book, though I think it would be better classified as a novella. ‘Twas short. I liked my story. But I didn’t like it enough to follow through and polish it until it shined. Thus I am not surprised that it sits un-shiny in a notebook on my desk, staring at me, accusing me of abandonment with its wee beady eyes. I also aggressively pursued writing a humor column with my local newspaper. I sent sample articles, funny but old-lady friendly ones, so that they would literally stop the presses in order to publish my hilarity. Did not happen. Yet. We’re still working on it.
In the meantime, I work on the blog, educate my kids, read like mad, and fashion yarn into garments that pass for socks. But, in my heart of hearts, I know I should be writing something pretty. So here’s what I do:
1. I go to the library.
2. I brainstorm about twenty titles of children’s books which I would read if I passed them on a shelf.
3. I go home.
4. I show Will my list of titles.
5. He picks one.
6. I start on a story around that title.
7. No lie. That’s my process.
So here we are. I’m 2000 words into a children’s story. Stephen King says you should aim for 1000 words a day; I say I should aim for not quitting and abandoning my story. And even though The Swindler’s Daughter makes me ache a little bit, since it’s unpolished and unpublished and not the greatest piece of literature ever penned, I’m very pleased that I wrote it. And everyday that I haven’t written, I’ve ached a little bit more. Because I know I should try. Even if I suck, I know I should try. And every time I read a brilliant book, one that keeps me up until midnight and that I carry with me from room to room in case I get a chance to catch a few lines, I ache a little bit in envy of a great writer’s talent. And I know, once more, that I should try.
So you out there, you with the hidden talent or brilliant idea or secret dream that you don’t ever think you’ll get to achieve. You should try. Because you’re just going to ache and ache and ache until you do it.
And goodness knows we could all use one less thing to ache about.
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My grandmother was a writer.. a good one…best selling…her advice was simply to write every day. Rain or shine. Whether you were inspired or not. She shut herself up in the studio from 8-2 daily and did just that. She said people who become good at anything, all have one thing in common; they practice. Whether you want to be a writer or a marathon runner, or the President, you must focus on it. You cannot achieve greatness by doing anything part time.
This is why I will not be a great writer…I am too fractioned. Too distracted. At least I am right now. Too many goals, too many obligations, too little time. But, one day, when my obligations have become fewer, I will narrow my focus.
So who was your grandmother. Now I must know.
Question mark.
Do you ever read Wil Wheaton’s blog? He writes a lot about writing and it’s interesting and often inspiring. In this entry he writes about writing and the struggles people face because even Neil Gaiman blogged about how scary it can be.
There are few forces more powerful than reading amazing writing, the kind of cathartic writing that makes you want to write.
Thank you for this!
At times I wish that achiness would go away, and I’m finding that having a blog is just making it worse. I wish I could quit you, Writing. But what can I do? I think the ache is as permanent as ink.
One of the things I realized about myself was that I was NOT a novellist. And once I realized THAT, I was free to write whatever I felt like.
I have not come to this conclusion yet. I could, after this attempt, but not yet. I am NOT a writer of adult literature. That much I know.
I’m so there with you. Like you wouldn’t believe.
I think it is a good thing that you are getting back into the saddle when it comes to writing. Practice makes perfect and the only way you will get that is to write.
I can’t believe the humor column has not panned out yet. I would totally read it.
I love this post. For so many reasons. Not the least of which is that you put an awesomely heart felt post right smack in the middle of your hilariously awesome “humor blog”.
I, too, would read your humor column in local Idaho paper (online, at least). Lame-O’s.
What is it about the writing bug? I’ve never dared put anything to paper (and blogging doesn’t count) but feel you on the whole yearn thing.
‘Kay.
Me too.
What a great post! It sounds like you have a true need to write. Lickily you also have talent. I hope you’ll finish your children’s book and many, many more.
Yes! Right on and write on! Do NaNoWriMo with me! We exchange novels again (again, as if I ever finished the first one…)
You know I’m on it, Riley. And…helloooo…I don’t think I’ve read yours yet. Send it to me. Now.
You are a fantastic writer and I would totally read one of your books. My brother is a writer and he tries to write every day even though it is tough. I have faith in you and your pretty writing!!
do it. do it to it.
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