There are countless books, articles, websites, magazines, courses, conferences etc. etc. where a writer can go to learn his/her craft, to study the nuances of plot and structure, to learn how to incorporate symbolism and theme, to hone pace and develop characterization and a myriad of other technical elements that make up a story. But there is one thing that a writer needs to have in their arsenal of writing tools that is not so easily studied or obtained. That mysterious thing? The gut feeling when you know a story is not working.
This feeling can't be explained very easily. At least, I can't explain it well. Maybe it can be as simple as plot points not working but plot is one of the easiest things to fix, I think. What I'm talking about is when you know you have a good main character, a great idea, the pace is clipping along and the secondary characters are interesting, and there is escalating tension, a strong climax and appropriate denouement and, still, after all that, something is just not right. It is an undefined feeling that the story is just not popping off the page - for whatever reason. It's not about the technical components of the story. Those things can be fixed. But if, as the author of your story, you are feeling a general sense of unease when you read through your pages, or apathy, or reluctance to continue writing it, if you do not feel a little flame of excitement as you read the pages you've created then something is not working on an emotional level.
The other night, I was fixing up some things for THE BREAK as we head into the final stages for it's release in the spring, and my daughter asked me, "Mom, aren't you sick of that book yet?" And I honestly could tell her, no. I really love this book and I love tweaking it to make it better and spending time with it. Sure, I'm sure I'll get sick of it (there are only so many times you can read a book through before your eyes begin bleeding) but it hasn't happened yet. And that is the sign I look for when I'm writing my stories. You don't weary of it. It still holds some special charm over you. And it's not the fact that it's being published! I had one story (paranormal) that was sent out to a few editors and did not sell. Got great feedback and all that but just didn't sell. I still love that story. I could read it again even after all this time still get a little thrill when reading it. Still smile at certain scenes and want to keep turning the pages. So it's not about selling a story that makes it more appealing to me. That doesn't matter. It's that indefineable something a story contains.
I've been working on two WIP's this past year. One is finished and I've gone through a revision with it. I thought that was the one I'd be querying with this fall. Great premise, solid characters, etc. etc. But. There's something missing. I don't know what it is yet but I don't get that FEELING. I put it aside and picked up the other WIP. Still needs work, still need to finish the last 3 chapters or so. Maybe it's not as technically ready as the other WIP. But, boy, when I started reading it - BAM! - that feeling was totally there. There was something about this one…
So, there you go. Like anything that is creative in nature a strong emotion has to be involved or it doesn't work. You can have a technically perfect reproduction of Michaelangelo's David but, from what people tell me (because I haven't seen the real thing), there is something about seeing that actual statue that makes it special. I'm sure it was the emotion that the artist infused into carving that piece of marble.
What about you? Do you get that unexplainable 'feeling' when you know a story has - or doesn't have - something?
Showing posts with label passion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label passion. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Obsession: Good for Reading But What About Your Writing?
I'm back from a week at the cottage and, like every year, I planned on doing a lot of reading and, hopefully, some writing as well. Alas, I failed miserably on the writing front and I blame it entirely on my current reading obsession with George R.R. Martin's SONG OF ICE AND FIRE series. Most everyone knows it by the title of the first book A Game of Thrones.
I have been completely OBSESSED by this series. I devoured the first book, kind of went 'meh' on the second book, LOVED the third book and trudged through the fourth book. I am taking a pause before beginning the fifth book. My obsession may be waning - much like a torrid love affair that's run it's course. I still have interest, I'm still curious but ... I need a break. Reading four books with that many characters, that many story lines, that many PAGES ... well, I'm an avid reader, yes, but I'm a bit burnt out.
After finishing the fourth book and reading the first line of the author's acknowledgement page I wonder if his obsession wasn't getting to him too. The fourth book was a bit meandering, bringing in new characters, remaining totally silent on others and just seemed to have less, I don't know, spark? than the previous three books. In his acknowledgement page, Mr. Martin said "This one was a bitch." I had to laugh because I figured he suffered through it more than his readers did. He explained why he wrote the book this way and promised our old, faithful characters would be back in the fifth book.
The fourth book was written in 2005. His fifth book only came out this year. SIX years. That's a long time to spend with a book. You kind of need to be a bit obsessed to stay with a story this long. Which leads me to the question in the title of this post: is obsession with a story always a good thing for your writing? I know that when writers start off with a story idea that initial burst of obsession doesn't always stay. I know I can get tired of my story after working on it for a few months. I can't even imagine working on it for years! I know it's different when you build a world as complex as Mr. Martin has. But I wonder does he ever feel like chucking it all and writing a completely different story set in another world with other characters? Is he still obsessed or does he even need to be to write a good story? Can the passion for your story come through when you are sick to death of it?
A lot of questions I pose and I have no answers. What about you writers and readers out there? What do you think - is obsession with your story necessary to make it good?
I have been completely OBSESSED by this series. I devoured the first book, kind of went 'meh' on the second book, LOVED the third book and trudged through the fourth book. I am taking a pause before beginning the fifth book. My obsession may be waning - much like a torrid love affair that's run it's course. I still have interest, I'm still curious but ... I need a break. Reading four books with that many characters, that many story lines, that many PAGES ... well, I'm an avid reader, yes, but I'm a bit burnt out.
After finishing the fourth book and reading the first line of the author's acknowledgement page I wonder if his obsession wasn't getting to him too. The fourth book was a bit meandering, bringing in new characters, remaining totally silent on others and just seemed to have less, I don't know, spark? than the previous three books. In his acknowledgement page, Mr. Martin said "This one was a bitch." I had to laugh because I figured he suffered through it more than his readers did. He explained why he wrote the book this way and promised our old, faithful characters would be back in the fifth book.
The fourth book was written in 2005. His fifth book only came out this year. SIX years. That's a long time to spend with a book. You kind of need to be a bit obsessed to stay with a story this long. Which leads me to the question in the title of this post: is obsession with a story always a good thing for your writing? I know that when writers start off with a story idea that initial burst of obsession doesn't always stay. I know I can get tired of my story after working on it for a few months. I can't even imagine working on it for years! I know it's different when you build a world as complex as Mr. Martin has. But I wonder does he ever feel like chucking it all and writing a completely different story set in another world with other characters? Is he still obsessed or does he even need to be to write a good story? Can the passion for your story come through when you are sick to death of it?
A lot of questions I pose and I have no answers. What about you writers and readers out there? What do you think - is obsession with your story necessary to make it good?
Monday, March 14, 2011
The Difference Between Commitment and Interest
I love stumbling upon articles in the paper about people who are changing their lives or are inspiring others in some way by the philosophy with which they live. They can be business people, teachers, office workers, stay at home moms or dads, whatever it is they've chosen to do they all have that special something that has driven them forward and continued to drive them forward towards success.
Today I read about a woman called Jen Hamel. She used to be a stay at home mom who one day saw a picture of herself from a family reunion and couldn't recognize herself. She'd gained weight. A lot of weight. She recalls "I saw those pictures and thought, 'Oh my gosh, where have I gone?" That moment drove her to exercise but not just any exercise it was something called Turbo Jam and from the moment she started that DVD exercise program she didn't quit. In a little over a year she lost 130 pounds and has kept it off. She's now a certified fitness trainer, nutritionist and owner of her own fitness company. What I really loved about this article are the following quotes outlining Jen's philosophy:
"There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results."
and
"When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing, then we truly live life."
Truly, a philosophy that is inspirational.
I've met many writers who are definitely committed (and some of us should be committed! :)) because of the consistent/persistent belief that the only way forward is by getting that result whatever you decide that result is. Whether it's getting published, finding an agent, finishing the book, only commitment will get you that result. Lots of people start things but, like many dieters (and I'm one of those) if you only have a peripheral interest in losing that extra ten pounds no amount of calorie reduction is going to work for you. You have to do more, do it often, do it consistently and, most importantly, DO IT FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES AND THEN KEEP ON DOING IT.
Writing doesn't end when you've finished the first book. It doesn't end when you've got the agent and it certainly doesn't or shouldn't end when you've got a book contract.
So. Commitment or Interest. Which one do you have?
Today I read about a woman called Jen Hamel. She used to be a stay at home mom who one day saw a picture of herself from a family reunion and couldn't recognize herself. She'd gained weight. A lot of weight. She recalls "I saw those pictures and thought, 'Oh my gosh, where have I gone?" That moment drove her to exercise but not just any exercise it was something called Turbo Jam and from the moment she started that DVD exercise program she didn't quit. In a little over a year she lost 130 pounds and has kept it off. She's now a certified fitness trainer, nutritionist and owner of her own fitness company. What I really loved about this article are the following quotes outlining Jen's philosophy:
"There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results."
and
"When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing, then we truly live life."
Truly, a philosophy that is inspirational.
I've met many writers who are definitely committed (and some of us should be committed! :)) because of the consistent/persistent belief that the only way forward is by getting that result whatever you decide that result is. Whether it's getting published, finding an agent, finishing the book, only commitment will get you that result. Lots of people start things but, like many dieters (and I'm one of those) if you only have a peripheral interest in losing that extra ten pounds no amount of calorie reduction is going to work for you. You have to do more, do it often, do it consistently and, most importantly, DO IT FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES AND THEN KEEP ON DOING IT.
Writing doesn't end when you've finished the first book. It doesn't end when you've got the agent and it certainly doesn't or shouldn't end when you've got a book contract.
So. Commitment or Interest. Which one do you have?
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Why Can't I Love Cooking Like I Do Writing?
I have a confession to make. I don't just hate cooking, I LOATHE it. Seriously, I can't understand why I resent cooking meals so much. I mean, I'm Portuguese. I grew up with mouth-watering food in front of my face and nose every day. But did I stand by my mom and absorb all the tricks and nuances of a great cook? Did I ask questions, test recipes, watch cooking shows with all the avidness of a cooking groupie? No, I did not. Did I appreciate the meals my mother put in front of me? Probably not at the time since I did not appreciate the skill that went into making them.
Now that I'm responsible for cooking for my own household (only because we have children otherwise the hubby and I would be ordering in every night if I had any say over it. Or eating popcorn for dinner) I'm feeling distinctly guilty for not learning this skill. Oh, I can do a few meals well (I make a mean lasagna and a pretty good pork loin roast) but I can't do those two meals every night of the week! I need quick, easy feed the hungry masses before they eat me meals. Tonight, for example, was Kraft Pizza and broccoli. Not exactly high culinary art there. But I just have to come to terms with the fact that I don't have the interest! There is no passion to my cooking and, if writing has taught me anything, it's this: in order to become truly good at something you need to have passion.
Unlike my lack of interest in learning how to make chicken soup at my mother's side, I'm more than willing to take courses and read books about plot, structure and narrative. Unlike my immediate stress at having to fiddle with a recipe, doing it over and over again, trying different spices until it comes out tasting the way it should, I love revising, playing with the words of a sentence until they shine and sound exactly as I hear them in my head.
So, that's it. I will never be an amazing cook and my children will have to live with the fact that while I can't bake them a mouth-watering loaf of homemade bread, I can hand them a book that their mommy wrote with her own two hands. It may not fill their stomachs but at least it was made with love. Plus it would probably taste better than the bread anyway.
Now that I'm responsible for cooking for my own household (only because we have children otherwise the hubby and I would be ordering in every night if I had any say over it. Or eating popcorn for dinner) I'm feeling distinctly guilty for not learning this skill. Oh, I can do a few meals well (I make a mean lasagna and a pretty good pork loin roast) but I can't do those two meals every night of the week! I need quick, easy feed the hungry masses before they eat me meals. Tonight, for example, was Kraft Pizza and broccoli. Not exactly high culinary art there. But I just have to come to terms with the fact that I don't have the interest! There is no passion to my cooking and, if writing has taught me anything, it's this: in order to become truly good at something you need to have passion.
Unlike my lack of interest in learning how to make chicken soup at my mother's side, I'm more than willing to take courses and read books about plot, structure and narrative. Unlike my immediate stress at having to fiddle with a recipe, doing it over and over again, trying different spices until it comes out tasting the way it should, I love revising, playing with the words of a sentence until they shine and sound exactly as I hear them in my head.
So, that's it. I will never be an amazing cook and my children will have to live with the fact that while I can't bake them a mouth-watering loaf of homemade bread, I can hand them a book that their mommy wrote with her own two hands. It may not fill their stomachs but at least it was made with love. Plus it would probably taste better than the bread anyway.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Advice from a Business Entrepreneur
I'm not someone who devours business and financial news like I would a juicy piece of entertainment gossip (hello? Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds are SO together dudes)but there is the occasional time when I've read through everything in the paper - or it's just a particularly slow news day - and I, for want of other reading material, happen to glance through the business section. Usually, it's the human interest pieces that catch my eye - the rags to riches stories or the personal profiles behind the CEO's of big companies. And so it was today when I came across one article about the CEO of WIND Mobile, Anthony Lacavera, who aims to 'change the wireless industry in Canada' and 'change and challenge the way Bell, Rogers and Telus do business'. As the article put it, "if you want to run with the big boys you have to create your own turning point".
Well, Mr. Lacavera is definitely running after the big boys and he has big dreams but what I found most interesting about the article was the advice he gave to people who have their own dreams and vision. I'm sure he thought he was speaking to potential business entrepreneurs but I found something really inspiring for my own writerly dreams and ambitions. And, hey, really, aren't all writers entrepreneurs? We may not be building a massive business empire (yet ;) but we want to build good books and, like any decent entrepreneur, we want to reach an audience. So, then, what was his advice?
1. Building a business has up and down moments. In down moments always try to focus on the things you've done that have led to the up moments.
(In the book publishing biz, it's always so easy to focus on what hasn't happened yet. Focus on what has developed - your skills, the people you've met, better responses from agents/editors, every little positive thing that has helped you be where you are and become a better writer than you were when you started)
2. Whenever you meet an extraordinary person, try to think of a way to make it exciting for them to join your team.
(I read this to mean when you meet an extraordinary writer (published or not), share and learn from each other. Become part of a writing community is essential.)
3.Learn not to go after every great idea that you come across. It's so important to stay focused on what you do well and build from there.
(Don't be too scattered as a writer. Be focussed on what stories you want to tell. Find your voice and the genre you love. Take the time to develop both well and both will reward you)
4. Always make time for yourself to do whatever you enjoy no matter how much work you have to do.
(This piece of advice is self-evident. Don't focus on the writing to the exclusion of all else in your life. Even if you don't consider writing work, take a break from it and explore other things. Your writing - and you as a person - will benefit.)
5.Follow both your heart and mind on any important decision.
(The go with your gut or your head dilemma. Mr. Lacavera has addressed this conundrum for me - go with both. No decision should be made so intellectually that your feelings/instincts are ignored. Both sides are equally important and have equal merit)
And there you have it. Sound advice from an entrepreneur with passion, commitment and drive to succeed - three things all writers should strive for. I should read the business sections more often...
Well, Mr. Lacavera is definitely running after the big boys and he has big dreams but what I found most interesting about the article was the advice he gave to people who have their own dreams and vision. I'm sure he thought he was speaking to potential business entrepreneurs but I found something really inspiring for my own writerly dreams and ambitions. And, hey, really, aren't all writers entrepreneurs? We may not be building a massive business empire (yet ;) but we want to build good books and, like any decent entrepreneur, we want to reach an audience. So, then, what was his advice?
1. Building a business has up and down moments. In down moments always try to focus on the things you've done that have led to the up moments.
(In the book publishing biz, it's always so easy to focus on what hasn't happened yet. Focus on what has developed - your skills, the people you've met, better responses from agents/editors, every little positive thing that has helped you be where you are and become a better writer than you were when you started)
2. Whenever you meet an extraordinary person, try to think of a way to make it exciting for them to join your team.
(I read this to mean when you meet an extraordinary writer (published or not), share and learn from each other. Become part of a writing community is essential.)
3.Learn not to go after every great idea that you come across. It's so important to stay focused on what you do well and build from there.
(Don't be too scattered as a writer. Be focussed on what stories you want to tell. Find your voice and the genre you love. Take the time to develop both well and both will reward you)
4. Always make time for yourself to do whatever you enjoy no matter how much work you have to do.
(This piece of advice is self-evident. Don't focus on the writing to the exclusion of all else in your life. Even if you don't consider writing work, take a break from it and explore other things. Your writing - and you as a person - will benefit.)
5.Follow both your heart and mind on any important decision.
(The go with your gut or your head dilemma. Mr. Lacavera has addressed this conundrum for me - go with both. No decision should be made so intellectually that your feelings/instincts are ignored. Both sides are equally important and have equal merit)
And there you have it. Sound advice from an entrepreneur with passion, commitment and drive to succeed - three things all writers should strive for. I should read the business sections more often...
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
And Another Birthday Approaches
Tomorrow is my birthday and for the first time in a long while I'm not dreading seeing the years add up. Granted I always deal better with 'even' birthday years than 'odd' ones but I don't think that's the reason for my unusual celebratory mood this go round. This year I got some very nice news just before my birthday hit(hope to share more soon) plus my mom is continuing her recovery and now Daughter One has returned home from university and I'm just feeling a bit more celebratory all around. But I think it's also just becoming more used to the whole 'aging' thing and appreciating that the alternative isn't a heck of a lot better!
Now, don't get me wrong. Nobody wants to see their face sliding into their neck or anything and I use a boatload of creams and moisturizers like the next girl. It's not the physical side of aging that I've come to terms with (in fact I've done something to the muscles in my neck that are just killing me today and I'm popping Robaxacet like it's candy) but it's more about enjoying and appreciating the mental aging. I just feel very comfortable with where my head's at these days. And I attribute that to discovering my passion for writing over eight years ago.
Writing has been my own personal fountain of youth - and not just because I write for teens (though I think that helps). It has allowed me to experience so many different things, meet so many different people, hope for so many different futures. Even with all the waiting, even with all the agony of writing books that sometimes go nowhere, even with the fickleness of the business, discovering writing relatively later in my life has given me new energy and, a lot of times, just more 'fun'.
So, with another birthday approaching, I'm embracing the coming year and looking forward to what new things I'll learn and what new people I'll meet. I know there'll be crappy days but with age, hopefully, comes some wisdom and I think I'm weathering those crappy days with a little more perspective every year. Each birthday is a gift and I plan on celebrating every one of them now instead of dreading them. Now if only my face would stay where I want it to... :)
Now, don't get me wrong. Nobody wants to see their face sliding into their neck or anything and I use a boatload of creams and moisturizers like the next girl. It's not the physical side of aging that I've come to terms with (in fact I've done something to the muscles in my neck that are just killing me today and I'm popping Robaxacet like it's candy) but it's more about enjoying and appreciating the mental aging. I just feel very comfortable with where my head's at these days. And I attribute that to discovering my passion for writing over eight years ago.
Writing has been my own personal fountain of youth - and not just because I write for teens (though I think that helps). It has allowed me to experience so many different things, meet so many different people, hope for so many different futures. Even with all the waiting, even with all the agony of writing books that sometimes go nowhere, even with the fickleness of the business, discovering writing relatively later in my life has given me new energy and, a lot of times, just more 'fun'.
So, with another birthday approaching, I'm embracing the coming year and looking forward to what new things I'll learn and what new people I'll meet. I know there'll be crappy days but with age, hopefully, comes some wisdom and I think I'm weathering those crappy days with a little more perspective every year. Each birthday is a gift and I plan on celebrating every one of them now instead of dreading them. Now if only my face would stay where I want it to... :)
Monday, January 18, 2010
We Live Who We Believe We Are
http://tonyrobbinstraining.com/468/new-year-new-life-2
A wonderful thing about Twitter - you get sent these terrific links that you'd probably never come across otherwise. The amazing Michelle Rowen retweeted this Tony Robbins link to a free video on his website that was so insipirational (duh - what else would it be. It's Tony Robbins!) - I had to write about it in a blog post.
There were dozens of quotes in this video that made me finally understand why Tony Robbins is such a force in the change your life, be who you want to be world. Yeah, there are so many "power of positive thinking" speakers and writers out there but I finally got what makes Tony Robbins different. He doesn't just say "Think and it will be" it's more like "Work at what you want to become". That message is much more empowering to me than just thinking about something.
The most important message in this video to me was about Raising Your Standards. You are only as good as what you think you are or want to do. But it's not just about raising standards. You have to back up standards with rituals. Visions need rituals. THAT's where the power is - it's the little things you do every day that help you succeed. You want to write a book? It's not enough to say that. You have to write - every day or whatever your ritual will be - to accomplish it. You want to write a better book than the last one? Raise Your Standards and figure out what will make the next book bigger, better, and stronger. The only thing that will make you happy is if you step up - always progress.
There were so many quotes to get inspiration from but here are just a choice few that resonated with me:
People are rewarded in public for what they do in private.
Great ideas don't interrupt you - you have to chase them.
Success and failure are not giant events. Failure comes from the little things we DON'T do.
There is the pain of discipline and there is the pain of regret. Which do you think is worse?
Demand more from yourself than anybody else.
It's not what we get that makes us happy - it's who we become.
So on the day that's supposed to be the most depressing day of the year, I am instead feeling hopeful, motivated and inspired. And it doesn't hurt that all the amazing writing awards like the William C. Morris, Newberry, Printz etc. were awarded to some awesome writers. Writers that are also an inspiration.
Live who you believe you are. All the rest will follow...
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
2009 - A Year of Writerly Firsts
I don't usually spend a lot of time looking into the past - I'm definitely a go forward girl myself. But this past year has been so personally eventful for me and so filled with firsts that as 2010 looms ahead I do feel the need to look back. I feel very much like I'm approaching a cliff after running at full speed for many, many miles. So before I take the big leap into 2010 (more like fall into the great unknown) I want to pay homage to the year that was and see the past year (and decade) that was the big lead up to what I hope will be even more interesting writerly first experiences.
Of course, the biggest and most monumental 'First' was getting an offer on ILLEGALLY BLONDE. That happened in February. Kind of hard to beat that! But even though the next 'firsts' I'm going to list aren't as climactic as that one they are still very personally important to me on a number of levels.
2nd 'First' - I started this blog. Seriously, that was a biggie for me. I'd never really put myself out there 'publicly' and making a commitment to write about my writing journey was very scary. It's helped me connect with writers I would never have had the chance to meet and made me really think about my writing process and what I've learned - and still have to learn - about writing novels, the book publishing industry and being 'out there' for people to read. For a fairly private person like me this was a very big first.
3rd 'First' - having my name appear in Publisher's Marketplace. I dreamed about this as I learned the craft over the last seven years. Seeing my name and the name of my novel appear in the publishing industry's main source of information made my heart race and my palms sweaty. The dream made real.
4th 'First' - Working through edits with my first real editor! Hi Anita!! I had no idea what to expect and was so relieved to have Anita to guide me and support me through this very big first.
5th 'First' - Meeting so many amazing writers in Toronto who I've learned from and admire so much.
The Torkidlit authors group: Helene Boudreau, Cheryl Rainfield, Debbie Ohi, Claudia Osmond, Deborah Kerbel, Adrienne Kress, Marina Cohen, Mahtab Narsimhan, Megan Crewe, Maureen McGowan, Bev Katz Rosenbaum are all amazing writers and wonderful people.
Anthony De Sa: a Toronto born and bred Portuguese-Canadian author who wrote Barnacle Love about the Portuguese immigrant experience with such compassion, honesty and beauty. I was thrilled to meet him and even more thrilled to discover how lovely, supportive and encouraging he is in person.
6th 'First' - Joining Twitter. I would never have done this if not for Debbie Ohi and her positive encouragement. It's turned out to be a wealth of information and a place where writers have created a wonderful community.
I'm sure there are a whole slew of other firsts that I can put down but those are the biggies for me. As 2010 - the Year of the Tiger and I'm a Tiger! - approaches I know there will be other firsts to experience. All will be equally scary and exciting, I'm sure. The first decade of the new millenium was a big one for me once I discovered my passion for writing. I really hope the next ten years will be filled with as many wonderful firsts as I've had the priviledge to experience over the last few years.
I wish for all of you only one thing as the new year and the new decade approaches: Discover what you love to do. Then proceed to nurture it with the intensity of a first love. Only good things - and remarkable firsts - can follow.
Happy New Year!
Of course, the biggest and most monumental 'First' was getting an offer on ILLEGALLY BLONDE. That happened in February. Kind of hard to beat that! But even though the next 'firsts' I'm going to list aren't as climactic as that one they are still very personally important to me on a number of levels.
2nd 'First' - I started this blog. Seriously, that was a biggie for me. I'd never really put myself out there 'publicly' and making a commitment to write about my writing journey was very scary. It's helped me connect with writers I would never have had the chance to meet and made me really think about my writing process and what I've learned - and still have to learn - about writing novels, the book publishing industry and being 'out there' for people to read. For a fairly private person like me this was a very big first.
3rd 'First' - having my name appear in Publisher's Marketplace. I dreamed about this as I learned the craft over the last seven years. Seeing my name and the name of my novel appear in the publishing industry's main source of information made my heart race and my palms sweaty. The dream made real.
4th 'First' - Working through edits with my first real editor! Hi Anita!! I had no idea what to expect and was so relieved to have Anita to guide me and support me through this very big first.
5th 'First' - Meeting so many amazing writers in Toronto who I've learned from and admire so much.
The Torkidlit authors group: Helene Boudreau, Cheryl Rainfield, Debbie Ohi, Claudia Osmond, Deborah Kerbel, Adrienne Kress, Marina Cohen, Mahtab Narsimhan, Megan Crewe, Maureen McGowan, Bev Katz Rosenbaum are all amazing writers and wonderful people.
Anthony De Sa: a Toronto born and bred Portuguese-Canadian author who wrote Barnacle Love about the Portuguese immigrant experience with such compassion, honesty and beauty. I was thrilled to meet him and even more thrilled to discover how lovely, supportive and encouraging he is in person.
6th 'First' - Joining Twitter. I would never have done this if not for Debbie Ohi and her positive encouragement. It's turned out to be a wealth of information and a place where writers have created a wonderful community.
I'm sure there are a whole slew of other firsts that I can put down but those are the biggies for me. As 2010 - the Year of the Tiger and I'm a Tiger! - approaches I know there will be other firsts to experience. All will be equally scary and exciting, I'm sure. The first decade of the new millenium was a big one for me once I discovered my passion for writing. I really hope the next ten years will be filled with as many wonderful firsts as I've had the priviledge to experience over the last few years.
I wish for all of you only one thing as the new year and the new decade approaches: Discover what you love to do. Then proceed to nurture it with the intensity of a first love. Only good things - and remarkable firsts - can follow.
Happy New Year!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Wanting It Badly Enough
There have been many writers I've read or heard speak over the years that have given advice to other writers that basically says if you never give up you'll achieve your publishing dreams. The road to a book publishing contract is littered with the carcasses of writers not any better than you who, if they just kept going, might have seen their book in print. You may have talent up the wazoo but without the tenacity and discipline it takes to write -to keep writing - to 'never give up' you won't be published. Heck, you won't finish a book. And that is absolutely true. Absolutely. And I've always thought that tenacity was the key ingredient to getting a publishing contract. A smidgen of talent, a dose of luck, and a huge dollop of never giving up. But, as I think on it more, I believe there's something else that needs to be added to the recipe for making that publishing contract pie. Something more important than all these other ingredients.
You must want it badly enough.
Now, this 'wanting' can't be an ephemeral, 'oh, wouldn't that be nice if I got it' kind of feeling. Like you want those really nice suede boots or maybe a pay bonus for working on a really tough project. And the wanting can't be because you think getting a book publishing contract is going to make you rich, famous, happy and solve all your problems. Ha! You'd need some serious de-programming if you thought that was going to do it. Remember - be careful what you wish for. No, what I'm talking about is wanting that is a deep-seated, eternal flame buried in your gut that will not let you go and that you really can't explain why or how it got there. It must arise from a passionate love for what you are doing. Something that you feel you need to share with the world because - for whatever reason - you think it's important for it to be shared. Think about it. Why would anyone, ANYONE, put themselves through the weeks, months, and years of learning craft with no guaranteed payoff? Why would ANYONE put themselves through constant, sometimes painful rejection of their work year after year? Why would ANYONE spend so much time pulling their hair out when a book isn't going the way they envisioned or it's taking longer to finish then they thought or it needs to be revised for the umpteenth time? I mean, some days I'd really rather just go to the movies or read a book that someone else wanted published badly enough and had to agonize over than doing it myself. Shoot, I used to write in my diary for years, almost on a daily basis and that satisfied my writing needs for a long time. But at some point, the wanting to write for publication grew inside me. I wanted to put my words out there - even at the risk of ridicule. I wanted my stories and ideas shared, maybe discussed, maybe dismissed but at least out there. I wanted to expand my world and learn and grow and be excited at creating something that no one else had created. It's partly about validation. It's mostly about being excited and passionate about something and wanting to share it with the world. It doesn't have to be books - it's about whatever makes you passionate about something. You have to find that in your life otherwise life is pretty bland.
So when things look hopeless and you feel like you're not getting anywhere, when you've been rejected and you wonder why you keep doing this, ask yourself the only question that really matters: Do I want this badly enough to pick myself up and go after it again? And again?
And if you answered yes ... then you will be a published writer one day.
You must want it badly enough.
Now, this 'wanting' can't be an ephemeral, 'oh, wouldn't that be nice if I got it' kind of feeling. Like you want those really nice suede boots or maybe a pay bonus for working on a really tough project. And the wanting can't be because you think getting a book publishing contract is going to make you rich, famous, happy and solve all your problems. Ha! You'd need some serious de-programming if you thought that was going to do it. Remember - be careful what you wish for. No, what I'm talking about is wanting that is a deep-seated, eternal flame buried in your gut that will not let you go and that you really can't explain why or how it got there. It must arise from a passionate love for what you are doing. Something that you feel you need to share with the world because - for whatever reason - you think it's important for it to be shared. Think about it. Why would anyone, ANYONE, put themselves through the weeks, months, and years of learning craft with no guaranteed payoff? Why would ANYONE put themselves through constant, sometimes painful rejection of their work year after year? Why would ANYONE spend so much time pulling their hair out when a book isn't going the way they envisioned or it's taking longer to finish then they thought or it needs to be revised for the umpteenth time? I mean, some days I'd really rather just go to the movies or read a book that someone else wanted published badly enough and had to agonize over than doing it myself. Shoot, I used to write in my diary for years, almost on a daily basis and that satisfied my writing needs for a long time. But at some point, the wanting to write for publication grew inside me. I wanted to put my words out there - even at the risk of ridicule. I wanted my stories and ideas shared, maybe discussed, maybe dismissed but at least out there. I wanted to expand my world and learn and grow and be excited at creating something that no one else had created. It's partly about validation. It's mostly about being excited and passionate about something and wanting to share it with the world. It doesn't have to be books - it's about whatever makes you passionate about something. You have to find that in your life otherwise life is pretty bland.
So when things look hopeless and you feel like you're not getting anywhere, when you've been rejected and you wonder why you keep doing this, ask yourself the only question that really matters: Do I want this badly enough to pick myself up and go after it again? And again?
And if you answered yes ... then you will be a published writer one day.
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