From The Huffington Post
Will Weaver Author, The Last Hunter: An American Family Album
Ten Reasons Not to Write Your Novel
Posted: 9/29/11 04:49 PM ET
1. Just because you speak English does not mean you can write English. Your boss is proof of that.
2. Someone has already written your novel, and better than you ever could. Certainly you've visited a bookstore, picked up a new release novel the plot summary of which filled you with loathing. "That's the idea I had," you mutter. See? What did I tell you?
3. And any way, the best novels are not about plot -- they're about good writing. Which you are not. That is to say, well, you get what I mean. I hope.
4. Writing a novel is way more work than you think (or remember if you've already written a novel). It's like building a house: you start with excavation and mud and rocks and groundwater you hadn't counted on, continue with dubious characters who seldom show up at the right time, nothing turns out exactly like you had in mind, everything is over budget, and it takes months if not years to finish, by which time you hate the place.
5. Instead of writing a novel, why not focus on, say, sex? Imagine that you give your wife, husband or partner the same amount of attention that you lavish on this, this idea -- these voices that you can't get out of your head. Imagine what perfection you would attain in the sack! Think of how heroic and loved you would be!
for the rest go here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/will-weaver/ten-reasons-not-to-write-_b_987179.html
#10 was my favorite. Not that I've written a novel, but I think it could apply to any number of endeavors:
ReplyDelete10. Unfortunately, there are many of you who can neither do the math nor read the writing on the wall. A famous journalist--it might have been Eric Severaid--once encountered an eager, aspiring writer at a cocktail party. "I have my degree, I've read everything I can, and I want to go into journalism," the young woman began.
"Don't," Sevareid said brusquely, and moved on.
A friend took Sevareid to task for dashing the student's dreams.
Sevareid shrugged. "If she listens to me, she's not ready to be a writer. If she's really got it in her, she''ll do it any way."
Happy 40th birthday Tammy O`Rourke, i just wish your little sister Heather was still alive as well.
ReplyDeleteSure, someone's done it better than I can, but conversely: I pick up an awful lot and say "Good God, I could do better than that!" That's what makes me write.
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