Write Your Book Already
I hate the stereotype of the frustrated newbie author: book sitting half finished on the computer while he slaves away at writing that pays the bills (or the cube farm job that pays the bills, or raising the children while the other parent pays the bills…you get the idea). I think I hate the stereotype because sometimes it’s me…well, except I’m a female.
I have written my book in fits and starts. The chapters are all out of order and discombobulated. The majority of it was written longhand in the mountains of Mexico, or on the plane on the way home, because 1) I was inspired and 2) I was on vacation.
But as soon as I got home, the book sat. And sat. And still it sits.
I’m not even particularly worried about selling or publishing my book. I will be happy just to get the damn thing out of my head (and off my hard drive, and out of my notebooks, and off the ‘memo’ screen of my Blackberry…you see where this is going?)
I am going to finish this book in 2008, dammit. If you’re in this boat with me, here’s some resources and inspiration:
- Walter Mosley (whom I looove) on NPR.
- Advice from Peace Corps Writers (two of my favorite people: peace corps workers and writers combined into one!)
- Do you get the Worldwide Freelance Writer newsletter? They had this link about a young girl who has already written two published books. (I would just like to point out that this girl doesn’t have a job or children to support….I’m KIDDING! )
As always, I wish us all success!
December 21st, 2007 at 4:17 am
My book has been 2/3 written for at least two years now. I would feel so accomplished to have it finished . . . but that is apparently not motivation enough for me to just do it, already.
December 21st, 2007 at 9:54 am
Hi Lorna,
I assume most of your issue, (like mine) is that you also write for pay…and so it’s hard to go to the “risk” of writing for free.
I also would feel accomplished just having it DONE- I wouldn’t care if it never got published at this point. I just want to FINISH.
Should have done NaNo, but I had so many clients in Nov it was not feasible.