The Work of Writing
In the past five days, I wrote an additional ten thousand words. I edited thousands more. I re-worked the beginning. I developed a character to make her more sympathetic.
I have just finished the fourth draft (or is it the fifth?) of my novel.
The idea for the book is good; I know this. I also know that I am not yet a skilled enough writer to actually write the book that I envision.
I will soon embark upon the next draft. I may eventually have to leave this novel behind. I may never be a good enough writer to write it. Then, I will work on another. That is also a humbling thought.
Worse, though, would be giving up.
February 24th, 2005 at 12:52 am
The idea for this book is good; I know this. I also know that I am not yet a skilled enough writer to actually write the book that I envision.
I know exactly how you feel–that’s how I’m looking at a book I’ve written a lot of junk for and which I’ve since shelved for the time being. Since, I’m just not good enough (or have enough time) to do it justice.
(Just saying hi by the way. Stumbled in here from Technorati. Hi.
February 24th, 2005 at 10:57 am
A word of encouragement to the writer whose email messages over the last two weeks have made me think (and there is no better compliment I can offer than that): Stay with it. Even if it never sees another reader. Even if it never earns you a byline or check. Write. And then write some more.
February 28th, 2005 at 6:54 pm
the endurance of it is worth as much as the practice of writing it, no?
and moving beyond is not giving up - three novels down the road, you may suddenly bring in a paragraph from it and it’ll be the perfect fit.
March 1st, 2005 at 3:00 pm
Thanks so much for the kind words and encouragement. I’m pleased with this recent draft, but I know I still have a ways to go. As trite as it sounds, I’m trying to be patient with myself and the process. I suffer the delusion that if only I had enough time, I could finish. Yet with this draft I finally merged several elements from previous drafts into a “new” beginning. I know that was due to time, simmering, and my evolution as a writer, which only happens when I write.