I’ve been blogging less over here, devoting more of my time to working on my book as per my New Year’s Resolution. I’m not abandoning this blog, I’ve just been trying to finish my book. (I still write brief posts every day here.)
For all my fellow writers out there, here’s a couple of quotes I find comforting and you might too.
When I face the desolate impossibility of writing five hundred pages, a sick sense of failure falls on me and I know I can never do it. This happens every time. Then gradually I write one page and then another. One day’s work is all I can permit myself to contemplate, and I eliminate the possibility of ever finishing.
— John Steinbeck
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The first draft of anything is shit.
— Ernest Hemingway
What’s your book about? I don’t get the Steinbeck quote, and maybe it’s a case of “please edit this in your head”, but is it supposed to be “ever” finishing or “never” finishing?
@ Little Miss – LOL. No, the quote is correct. What Steinbeck was saying (okay, here I go interpreting Steinbeck of all people) was that he wasn’t going to worry about finishing the book, he could only handle thinking about it one page at a time. He wasn’t going to drive himself crazy by worrying about the ending.
My book is about a group of women who are friends. Think Sex In The City meets Suicide Kings.
Your book sounds very intriguing!
A quote I have posted above my desk is by Dali ~ “Have no fear of perfection— You’ll never reach it.”
Some people understand and others think it is a defeatist attitude.
@ betme – I hadn’t heard the Dali quote before but I love it. Thanks for turning me on to it, because I may post it in my office. It’s a problem I used to have, this quest for perfection, writing and then rewriting the same paragraph again and again. I would spend all day rewriting a single paragraph. Then I realized it was a stupid waste of time. Joan’s sister Barbara, a novelist and my best friend, spent years telling me “Don’t think, just write.” I finally get it. And to think, it’s only taken her 20 years to get that message into my head.
Thanks, Wendy. I get the quote now. I think I’m suffering from a foggy mind lately. Seems I can’t quite focus for very long. I can’t wait to read your book. Can I be your test reader/proofreader, first fan club member? LOL.
I didn’t know you were writing a book! How exciting! π
@ Little Miss – You can totally be my proofreader and now you HAVE to do it because you put it in writing on the Interweb. So thank you in advance. π
@ Lucky – Yes, I am writing a book. This is actually my second book. My agent (in NYC) loved my first book — but she couldn’t sell it! So I’ll probably be looking for a new agent for this one. π
What was the first one about? Is it available now?
Wow, April Fool’s day tomorrow and you’re still sticking by those resolutions! Rock On Wendy!
May the words flow like wine, or oil, whichever flows better in El Paso.
I applaud your industry as well as your creativity. π
Wow, good luck on your book, definitely a big undertaking but if you’re passionate about it that’s fantastic! π
And yo that Hemingway had it right…don’t I know it…hahaha π
I love the Hemingway quote. I love it so much I’m pasting it to my monitor. This couldn’t have come at a better time since I’m mired in first-draft hell and hating it.
I’ve always liked, “I hate to write but I love having written.” Dorothy Parker
I work with people and the daunting aspect often seems to be the biggest issue. Over the weekend I talked with a guy who has a good idea but gets bogged down. I told him to type until he stops. People write at different rates and one page is just as good as ten as long as you did it.
But all he sees is the pages ahead. Although it’s been going on forever, I think some of it’s due to the computer. So I tell people to print out their pages and pile it next to them. Even if it’s slow going, at least you see progress. It’s not just a bunch of binary code neatly tucked away.
I knew Sister B would leave a comment on this post.
Hi Wendy – Teeni here, returning your visit! I just got through reading your about page and you had me in stitches. I need to check out your other site now too. I hope the writing of your book is going smoothly. I hope you will let us know when we will be able to get a copy. It sounds really interesting (although I admit I haven’t read Suicide Kings, but the Sex in the City bit should keep me interested enough anyway). LOL. I also replied to your comment at my blog too in case you went back there. π Nice to meet ya!
And, may I offer my services as well? along with Little Miss? I am whizbang at writing the silly crazy questions at the back of some books for ‘reading guides/book clubs’. Unless this book isn’t suited for that nuttiness. π
Congrats! Wicked cool!!
Hey Wendy! I just put up a post for the next story game I’ll be doing at my blog. I just wanted you to know that you are welcome to join in the fun if you like.
How are you?
You go, girl. Write my second book while you’re at it? I’m a little behind. π