If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.
–Toni Morrison
inspiration
Day 12 NaNo Update
“Every first draft is perfect, because all a first draft has to do is exist.”
–Jane Smiley
I saw this quote today and thought it was a timely reminder as I am currently writing the first draft of Ghost at the Cemetery. At a little under 6,000 words, I cannot say I am particularly happy with the result so far. In fact, I was feeling a little despondent this afternoon–until I saw this quote.
Yes, I can acknowledge this first draft isn’t great, but as long as I continue writing until I get to the end, I will be happy. The first edit will be HUGE! But at least I will have a (shaky) draft to work with.
I’m pleased that I can recognise the fact that I still have a lot of work ahead of me, especially when the first draft is done. Yet, I feel invigorated knowing that my brain is already working on the improvements I intend to make. And knowing that, the story I currently write is morphing in a slightly different direction than I intended to accommodate the changes.
My intention is to complete the first draft by 30 November. I am on track to reach that goal.
Advice to Young Writers from Horace
It is said that Horace was a great man who lived a simple life. He was at home among the rural shrines that dotted country roads outside Rome. His ideal of simplicity was summed up in his shrewd advice to young writers.
Be brief. More ought to be scratched out than left.
– Horace
Talking about Manuscripts
Just a reminder:
A manuscript not submitted is a book not published.
A Writer’s Job
This is something I rarely do, but this afternoon I’m going to share a link with you. I’m not going to rattle on about why you should follow the link and read the content, just trust me and do it!
What are your thoughts?
Quote: Approach
You can approach the act of writing with nervousness, excitement, hopefulness, or even despair – the sense that you can never completely put on the page what’s in your mind and heart. You can come to the act with your fists clenched and your eyes narrowed, ready to kick ass and take down names. You can come to it because you want a girl to marry you or because you want to change the world. Come to it any way but lightly. Let me say it again: you must not come lightly to the blank page.
Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, 2000
US horror novelist & screenwriter (1947 – )
Quote: Persist
You must keep sending work out; you must never let a manuscript do nothing but eat its head off in a drawer. You send that work out again and again, while you’re working on another one. If you have talent, you will receive some measure of success – but only if you persist.
Isaac Asimov
US science fiction novelist & scholar (1920 – 1992)
Quote: Failure
Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.
~Author Unknown