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I thought writing was simple: tell a good story, weave in some believable dialog and off you go… I wish.
I have leaned writing is beyond a simple task—it is far beyond a hobby (at least for me) the more you take it serious, the more you realize it’s a second job you don’t get paid for… unless you actually succeed in that job.
My blog commenter’s have helped more than I ever thought possible. Before I started this blog, it was my against the world... now I have you, and I'm amaze me with your insight. So I say thx for all you do for me--and I am sure for others.
If you want a solid blog follower, just click on the people who leave comments here, they are awesome followers and full of wonderful advice.
I know I can write, I know I can make it, I know without a doubt I have what it takes… I just didn’t realize how damn hard it was going to be. The only doubt I have now is: am I willing to do what it takes to see it through—am I willing to work this hard in the possibility it doesn’t happen.
I inevitably come to conclusion (as I am sure you all do) I have no choice but continue… it’s something I must do to complete myself.
So I’ll grow, rewrite a thousand times, and grow some more, in the (seemingly vain) attempt to write something I can be proud of.
Thx for listening, thx for being a sounding board, and most of all thx for making me a better writer.
I only post when I feel a need, I am sure most my post don’t mean a lot to others… but your advice is what gets me through to the next hurdle.
You know I have to ask a question right?
If you could exile one of your flaws, what would it be… what do you always do, even though you know better? (Either in regards to writing or not)
Mine would be: letting myself skip days at a time where I don’t write. Writing every day is the key to finding the end of the rainbow, but I neglect this far too often!!!
I was supposed to do a blog award post; sorry I’ll have to do it later… I am horrible when it comes to those.
Thx for any comment you might leave.
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I'm glad you came to the conclusion that you have no choice but to continue, Jeff. We believe in you. (Yes, apparently I've nominated myself to speak for everyone.) ;) As for one of my flaws, I'm easily distracted. I don't always give my manuscript the undivided attention it deserves.
ReplyDelete1,000 times? That just made me tired. I'm only on edit #10, *sigh*
ReplyDeleteLovely post, btw.
writing is definitely harder than it looks. It's good know in your heart you can make it.
ReplyDeleteMy flaw? Hmmm... that would be impatience. I want everything NOW! ;)
author, Lynda R Young
I have the same writing flaw you do, Jeff--I don't write EVERY DAY.
ReplyDeleteAs to other flaws, I tend to get caught up in the whirlwind and spend days--even weeks--not doing what I WANT to do, but only what my OBLIGATIONS are. And that makes for a very unhappy Shakespeare.
Writing is harder that it looks. But it's also fantastic.
I would exile the occasional bouts of low writer-self-esteem. They tend to slow the process down just a bit :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Jeff.
ReplyDelete"the more you take it serious, the more you realize it’s a second job you don’t get paid for…"
Very true.
"exile one of your flaws"
Less procrastination, more focus.
I don't write everyday, not even close, but I don't consider it a flaw. I write in torrents followed by droughts and it works for me. I do wish my torrents came more frequently and with more warning. And I wish they always resulted in a complete work instead of (as sometimes happens) just the first half.
ReplyDeleteI do have a number of issues I have to watch out for: using a pet phrase to death, pronoun mismatch, confusing homonyms (notably they're/their/there and yes, I know better), leaving d off of and, thinking the right word and typing the wrong one, a very hard error for me to catch in revision as my brain keeps putting in the right word.
I think you have a complete grasp on it because I feel the same way. My flaw? I give in to my emotions way too easily, which I suppose might make me a better writer, but is not so fun when it comes to the ups and downs of this business!
ReplyDeleteGood post :) Writing is definitely difficult, but we have to remember to keep some fun in it. It's a job, but it's a job we're supposed to enjoy, right?
ReplyDelete<3 a new follower
If I could exile one flaw personally it would be my reserve. I almost never say what I am thinking (although it all comes out when I write!). Originally it was because I'd rather be silent than possibly put my foot in my mouth but now it's become a problem! I wish I could be more outspoken when it counts.
ReplyDeleteAs for my writing, I wish I could focus better when I DO have time for writing. Also, don't beat yourself up about not writing every day. Yes, it probably is the key to becoming a better writer but for some of us (with busy lives and obligations) it's just not feasible. I try to do the weekly thing--try to write so many words or pages a week and that way if I miss a day or two I make up for it later. Then at the end of the week I feel pretty good about myself instead of feeling like a failure.
This IS like a second job you don't get paid for, isn't it? That's a great analogy! Great post!
You can do it, Jeff. Don't quit. Writing does seem like volunteer work sometimes, doesn't it? I stick to it because I love it. What else can you do? :)
ReplyDeleteI think I've exiled my flaw, though not sure for how long. Anything worth having is worth working hard for. You will succeed, it'll just take time. How much time is up to you. It depends on how you grow as a writer. I'm still travelling the road to be published, and so will you. Don't lose heart.
ReplyDeleteAll goo vibes here:) Just keep plugging away, you're doing everything right:)
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat as you. I HAVE to write. I just started on this journey but it is something I can't step away from now.
ReplyDeleteBut I agree. Its not that I don't think I can do this, its are we willing to put the time in that is needed. I am, but at first I didn't think so.
I gotta believe that as long as we keep trying, keep bettering ourselves we will eventually reach our goal. Its there, at the end. We just can't see it because of the bumps and hurdles along the way. And though some hurdles look like the end, because they are SO HIGH, we can get over them.
Hi Jeff,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I wish to thank you kindly for your input on my blog. That is most appreciated.
The key ingredient here, I believe, is that you have a determination to write. And with that passion, combined with a dedication to a schedule, you have the potential to realize your dream.
I would also add that, in regards to your blog, I think you should post when you have the desire to do so and not, because you feel an obligation, or because you have pressured yourself to do so.
Personally, I don't consider it a "flaw" that you don't write everyday. Maybe, just maybe, you need that time away from your writing, to experience other aspects of your life and have those reflections come through via your writing.
Jeff, I guess I'm lucky. I find writing easy. The reason is that I write just for the love of writing, for the magic of writing, for the therapy it provides me. Thus, because of this, I'm under no pressure.
As noted, the main thing is to have fun, relax and enjoy. Keep that passion, that determination and resilience, beating strongly in your heart.
With respect and happy writing, your way, Gary.
Great post. This is a hard path, with such a big learning curve, and it takes guts to stay on it. :)
ReplyDeleteMy flaw would be my procrastination. If I could cut that out, wow, I would be a machine of energy and productivity. :)
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
I can't tell you how many people have asked, "have you finished that novel yet?" I always have the same answer: "If I had, you'd know."
ReplyDeleteBut people in the writing community are different. **Thank goodness** Having followers and writer-friends makes the endless torture of editing worth the struggle (to me, at least). I feel a connection with other writers - and you - because I can relate to the different stages of writing, and all the emotions and frustrations of trying to get published.
It'll happen, Jeff :) Until then, happy writing!
Impatience. I sometimes forget to be patient with myself. I could easily let go of that trait.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up, Jeff!
ReplyDeleteSome succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are determined to.
In regards to writing, my flaw is to step back into writing when I haven't done it for a few days. (Or even worse, when I haven't done it for a few weeks!) It always seems SO much harder when it's not a constant thing.
ReplyDelete