Happy Monday, one and all!
Here in South Carolina we are gearing up for Hurricane Florence. It’s supposed to be a doozy, though I’m getting conflicting reports on what to truly expect. Some say it’ll hit SC directly, some say it should hit closer to North Carolina. Either way, we’re looking at some craptastic weather later this week.
Let’s dive right in, shall we? Today, I’m revisiting another post: Writing Sucks.
Oooh, I still really love that quote from Neil Gaiman. It’s so true. Writing is not an endeavor for the faint of heart.
I will say I don’t think it’s fair for me to sum it up by saying writing sucks. Writing can be quite fun. There are definitely bits of the writing process which are more fun than others. Sometimes writing is insanely fun—especially when you are in the groove and everything is flowing. For me, research is fun. Editing can be a pain. Revision, too.
I must have believed that all story ideas come flying in like fireballs. Not every story idea keeps one up until all hours of the night.
That said, I still had it pretty spot on saying that your friends, though I should’ve specified non-writer friends, will stop listening to you if all you do is jabber on about your new idea. Some will be more supportive than others, and most will listen for a time…but there comes a point when people just don’t care about your idea. They’d rather you write the damn thing and then show them a finished product.
WOW! What on earth was I doing when I dreamt up this fictitious work of fiction? Medieval forest. Cyborg rabbits. If memory serves, and it probably doesn’t, I think I had recently watched SyFy’s Alice.
Well, looks like the art of exaggeration wasn’t lost on me. I realize certain things take a backseat when a writer is in. the. zone…but bodily functions aren’t usually one of them.
And please don’t subsist on corn chips and diet soda. That’s not the best brain food…says the woman who subsists on coffee and sarcasm.
Let me just say…I don’t think I realized at the time just how accurate a statement it was when I said we expect the GoT writers to call and that with each book we’ve written our ticket to fame and fortune. Statistically, it just isn’t going to happen for most of us…so no matter how much writing sucks, you better freaking love it because cashing in on this endeavor is just…yeah. Still, though, so many get suckered into the idea we’re special because we wrote a book—and don’t get me wrong, that’s great, but a lot of other people are special for that same thing.
Oh, those first draft woes. I think the worst part of the writing process may be the realization that your first draft is not naturally a best-seller.
D’aww….we all, at some point, probably feel like the worst writer ever. Even if we won’t admit it. But you’re not. I promise…but if you’re unsure of the semicolon’s function, you do need to brush up on some things.
Peach blossoms and troll kisses.
What…..? Okay, Aila.
But, yes, there is a difference in writing for a hobby and writing with the purpose of selling your work. Perhaps that’s an unpopular opinion, but I’m full of those.
Yes. Yes. YES.
There is so much work involved in being an author.
And I still believe that the writing process will change a person. It’ll either give you the proof you need that this is a path for you, or clue you in that maybe it isn’t. And that’s okay, whichever way the cookie crumbles.
The bit I still agree with the most strongly is that YOU ARE AMAZING. ♥
If you’re in the path of a storm, stay safe.
See you all soon. ♥
Aila Stephens 