Here’s the real truth:
If there was anything I could do that came close to the feeling of what it’s like to accept a writing assignment (sometimes cash up front, sometimes on delivery, sadly sometimes never).
And then to sit down and break that assignment into the required steps (on deadline) with the purpose that these steps will ultimately be distilled down into a unique pattern of WORDS, (plagerism not allowed) formed, married together and printed out in a particular way, to create an end product… (in my case novel, cartoon episode, comic book, movie, review… whatever).
IF there was anything else — other than writing — that could make me feel this way and still get paid for it… I would do it. But there isn’t.
And so, I’m a writer.
This means I live with frustration, guilt, isolation, procrastination, indecision, delusions of granduer and the full, unadultrated knowledge that I SUCK!
Apparently, I’m not alone.
For salve (and inspiration) I pursue and collect the stories and thoughts of other writers. I picked this up off of another blog, but I’m ‘paying it forward’ by mentioning it here. Elizabeth Gilbert, author of EAT, PRAY, LOVE offers some THOUGHTS ON WRITING…
Also…
Jay Asher originally wanted to be a funny picture book writer. Then a funny middle grade writer. Then a funny chapter book series writer. Three agents and twelve years later, he almost called it quits (because it just wasn’t funny anymore!), but his wife wouldn’t let him. So he wrote something different. Thirteen Reasons Why, a suspense novel for teens, sold to Razorbill/Penguin in a two-book deal with a six-figure advance.
Visit his blog at: http://www.discomermaids.blogspot.com/.
You go, Jay!! These are the stories that keep me going!
