It's harder than you think. To write a story. To create an entire world. Even if it is based on this reality.
Writing a book is creating a life inside your head. A life full of complicated relationships, and problems.
To say that your going to sit down and write a book, story, article or poem because it's easy is nearsighted.
I know because I said that and it's difficult for others who don't write to understand.
My poor friends. I will go to work and say things like, "I changed my main characters name."
After writing five hundred thousand words with her original name. Some of them look at me and are encouraging. "That's great. I like the new name so much better."
Others roll their eyes and I can see the question on their faces. "Why cant she just finish the book and get it over with?"
I wish it was that easy. I wish I could just finish it and get it published.
I did it again today. I changed the name of my main character. It was stale and too young for the turn that my story has taken. I got the same looks and same encouraging lines. Except for A. I know I have said it before, but my writing buddy needs to be blessed for putting up with me.
I have made some serious changes, and added a whole new level of darkness.
What people have a hard time understanding is that it's a process. The basic story has stayed the same, but it has evolved beyond anything I could have hoped for.
Each time I make a change I hope it's the last but I know it wont be. If I don't adapt to the story it will die and never be published.
So I've started to think of my writing like working in the kitchen.
Some times there are a lot of dirty dishes and messy spots that need to be cleaned up . Some times it's like trying to catch water in a colander. Sometimes it's like putting chili on the stove and letting it simmer, taste testing it. Adding spices and tasting again.
Other times it's like batching a giant batch of cookies. Putting a dozen in at a time checking the temperature, and making adjustments.
One day the chili will be spicy enough, the cookies will bake perfectly and I can plug the colander.
I will get published. I will have a well spiced, perfectly baked, nonleaky book. Someday...
Writing a book is creating a life inside your head. A life full of complicated relationships, and problems.
To say that your going to sit down and write a book, story, article or poem because it's easy is nearsighted.
I know because I said that and it's difficult for others who don't write to understand.
My poor friends. I will go to work and say things like, "I changed my main characters name."
After writing five hundred thousand words with her original name. Some of them look at me and are encouraging. "That's great. I like the new name so much better."
Others roll their eyes and I can see the question on their faces. "Why cant she just finish the book and get it over with?"
I wish it was that easy. I wish I could just finish it and get it published.
I did it again today. I changed the name of my main character. It was stale and too young for the turn that my story has taken. I got the same looks and same encouraging lines. Except for A. I know I have said it before, but my writing buddy needs to be blessed for putting up with me.
I have made some serious changes, and added a whole new level of darkness.
What people have a hard time understanding is that it's a process. The basic story has stayed the same, but it has evolved beyond anything I could have hoped for.
Each time I make a change I hope it's the last but I know it wont be. If I don't adapt to the story it will die and never be published.
So I've started to think of my writing like working in the kitchen.
Some times there are a lot of dirty dishes and messy spots that need to be cleaned up . Some times it's like trying to catch water in a colander. Sometimes it's like putting chili on the stove and letting it simmer, taste testing it. Adding spices and tasting again.
Other times it's like batching a giant batch of cookies. Putting a dozen in at a time checking the temperature, and making adjustments.
One day the chili will be spicy enough, the cookies will bake perfectly and I can plug the colander.
I will get published. I will have a well spiced, perfectly baked, nonleaky book. Someday...
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