photo Charming_zps24b0f6e3.png

6.28.2012

{on writing}

I’m sure I’ve written something like this before, but I can’t find it and I have too many thoughts swimming around in my head to ignore it now.

On Writing

{via}

She said yes to the date because he drank his coffee black and drove a Honda. His hairline was also starting to recede, which was a good thing. It meant that he would probably be bald by the time he was fifty.

It’s taken me three years to finally be confident in my first paragraph. My first paragraph. Does that mean it’s going to take me a million more to get through the rest of the book? But then…

Toni Morrison Quote

I know that’s true {Toni Morrison = one smart lady} because I’ve been trying to find that perfect book. I’ve been looking up books that have a similar plot to mine, and I’m just never satisfied. I keep going back to my own book, thinking about it before I go to bed or driving in the car or listening to music. My perfect book hasn’t been written yet.

You have no idea how many times I’ve wanted to quit; how desperate I am to just read my book and not write it.

Writing is not easy.

And sometimes, it’s no fun at all.

But I’m too picky to quit. I’m strung too tight. I believe in myself too much to quit.

I’m over halfway there. Forty thousand words in. How can I quit now? My main character feels like my sister. I know her. I know all the characters: what they look like, their favorite drink, what size shoe they wear, for goodness sakes. How can I give up now?

I guess it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of my book. I’m really not writing it for anyone else. I’m writing my book. The one that I want to read.

I guess that’s what makes me a writer. A real writer.

That, and I have to be slightly inebriated to write. I’m pretty sure that’s some type of requirement.

12 comments:

siddathornton said...

you never cease to inspire me.

part of it - i think - is that our goals are similar. but i know also that part of it is that your confidence & drive is amazing. i haven't even written the first word of my book. but you inspire me to get started.

thank you!

- lauren

Call it Adventure said...

Oh man, you are speaking my heart honey. Thank you for this post, it awakens the fiction writer in me that has been sleeping out of fear for quite some time. Thank you!

Emily @ Anna Delores said...

I love this post, Joelle! I fancy myself a writer as well but haven't even started my "first book." I don't know what it will be about! I imagine I'll have more time to write it when I can quit my day job (fingers crossed) to pursue photography full-time, and hopefully I can sneak some writing in there.

Anyway, don't give up! I LOVE that first paragraph and I'll be first in line for an autographed copy once you've been published. :) xo

Kaitlyn Thatcher said...

Ahhh! I cannot wait to read your book someday! I don't think there is anything wrong with spending that much time on your first paragraph. I just read something the other day about how that first paragraph is probably the most important thing in the whole book. I mean what would Pride and Prejudice be without, "It is a truth universally acknowledged..." or a Tale of Two Cities without "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." And your first paragraph is great! It totally makes me want to know who this character is and why those things are important to her. Basically it makes me want to read your book!

Christianna said...

Yay! I'm a fan of this post! I can't wait to find your perfect book on the shelves one day!

Chrissi Holt said...

Is it a romance ? I love romances lol I use to love Danielle Steel ... should I admit to that ?! xx

KellyMichelle said...

How wonderful! I can't wait to read your book. If you ever want someone to give you some feedback (nonjudgmental, I promise) just let me know!
Kelly

Unknown said...

I love this!! :) Can't wait to read it! :)

Unknown said...

Keep going! I'm sure it's going to be absolutely amazing. We're always our own toughest critics you know!

Simply Valorie said...

Hemingway did say "Write drunk, edit sober." I do it too! ;) I'm 30,000 into a book and I am in love with it. Maybe someday I'll share it. Good luck!

Unknown said...

Hi Joelle,

Reading is my favorite hobby. I have probably read over 100 books this year thanks to my Nook! If you ever need someone to read part of your book or the whole thing, I would be more than willing to do that. I'm not an expert or anything but I will give an honest opinion and I'm sure your book is amazing. I think you posted an excerpt a while back. sar_cq19@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

I just want to say thank you everyone for your sweet words of encouragement. It's kind of hard putting myself out there like this, but knowing that there are so many of you out there who support what I do really makes me feel so much better. You all are amazing!

xoxo,
Joelle