“Every protagonist embarks on a journey that sends her both externally and internally into, as yet, undiscovered places. A writer does, too." - Martha Alderson
Don't you just love this? It’s almost Zen. When you set pen to paper, you also become the lead character in the ongoing tale of a writer’s life. You're on a voyage of discovery.
Like your characters, you'll run into obstacles. Writing is work, hard work. It's not for the faint of heart. It's a craft, and like any craft it takes practice, practice, practice. You have to keep going, even when you don't feel like it. (Especially when you don't feel like it.) You have to stay with it, even when the words you write are so far removed from the story in your head you suspect major brain damage. Even when you're convinced a roomful of monkeys could produce a story better than yours.
Need a break? Take it. Go back and look at some of your earlier work and congratulate yourself on how far you've progressed.
But don't stop. Trust that the path you're following will lead you to all the right places.
http://plotwhisperer.blogspot.com/2010/04/stamina-for-writers.html
April 13, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
A great quote, and an even greater post about that quote. All so true.
ReplyDeleteWriting is hard work, and sometimes emotionally draining. But even when it's hard, I can't think of anything else I'd rather do. :)
THANKS for the excellent advice Kathryn! So true - yes, we really should have an extra dose of FAITH in ourselves if we really want to be successful writers!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! Thanks for the kick in the pants. ;)
ReplyDeleteWise words; I guess that's how you got that book finished :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder, Kathryn. It's true, the journey isn't possible without perseverance and belief in ourselves.
ReplyDeleteHeidi: You're so sweet! I think the true measure of a writer is whether you can live without it.
ReplyDeleteAnn Marie: Faith and a lot of grunt work!
Kathi: Glad to be of assistance.
Stephanie: LOL. Yeah, and that's how I keep myself going when I realize how much work that book will need before it's truly ready to be sent out.
VR: I think writers are a remarkably resilient bunch. Some may call it ego, but it you don't believe in your work, who will?
What a great quote Kathryn.
ReplyDeleteReading old work always provides inspiration. I really sucked a few years ago. At least I know I'm getting better. :)
Natalie: Nice to have you back! I'm a big believer in looking at old stuff when you think you've gone nowhere as a writer.
ReplyDelete;-)
We are the Protagonists in our own life story, a mystery we've been given to solve. Every day we get clues...if we are paying attention... which lead us closer to finding out who we are.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I love writing so much, because it mirrors real life, even fiction, maybe especially fiction.
Well said, Rahma! I like the idea of our life being a mystery given to us to solve.
ReplyDelete;-)
Great post. It is so hard some days, but all we can do is know that with every step forward we grow and become stronger writers. :)
ReplyDeleteAngela: It IS hard and you're right: we do grow stronger.
ReplyDelete