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I’ve heard more than a few writers proclaim “It took hardly any effort– the words just poured onto the page! Why, my book practically wrote itself!”
Now, if that’s you, please don’t take offense. Some folks just shake, rattle, and roll a wee bit different from others.
I must admit, though, I always have a few thoughts when I hear writers insinuate their words sprouted fairy wings and landed on the pristine white pages that eventually became their “book.”
I wonder…
First– what’s your secret?
That’s followed by…
How long have you been writing?
Did you follow some rules or did you just go off on a wild tangent?
Does your story have a beginning, middle, and an end?
Do your words form cohesive thoughts and create an actual story arc?
If your book didn’t take much effort, how polished is it?
As I said, each one of us is different.
I’ve written a while now, and from where I sit (day in, day out) the creative process of crafting a novel and putting words on a page takes way more than marginal effort.
Usually (at least it’s been my experience), a thousand clever lines of narrative and dialogue don’t happen without hours upon hours of intense work. And sometimes, it’s neck-knotting, back-breaking, muscle-cramping kind of work.
I think we do newer writers a disservice when we intimate that writing (and finishing) a book is easy.
Sometimes, coming up with an idea for our novel is easy. We might have the story rolling around in our brain with some key scenes of how things will unfold. We might even plot every jot and tittle down to the very last dotted i and crossed t.
However…
Having what it takes to sustain the story throughout 20 or so chapters and 400+ pages is another matter entirely.
Ohhh, how I wish my books would write themselves!
I’d save myself…
Sleepless nights.
Crazy days.
Endless plotting.
Tired fingers, a muddled brain, a life on hold, and a challenged mindset.
Of course, the flip side to a book writing itself might be the inability to appreciate the uphill climb it took to get there.
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If you write, what’s something you appreciate about the process?
Novice versus pro–which is easiest?
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See you back on Friday!
Blessings Always,
Comments 8
Oh my word, “Do your words form cohesive thoughts and create an actual story arc?” I burst out laughing!!
I tell people that if I had known exactly what ‘writing a book’ involved? Well, I’d have cried.
Thankfully I didn’t. AND I have an agent who is patient with me, as I’m a total newb.
Author
Jennifer, you’re just such a darling! I appreciate the way you just put it out there. Your agent is pretty fabulous! 😉
Haha, I would never be one to say my book wrote itself…that’s giving the book way too much credit. LOL! Not that it wouldn’t be wonderful to have that be the case. But in my situation, it’s definitely not. I labor over my story like crazy…I’m not really a perfectionist in any other area in life, but in writing, oh my, I just want perfection!!
You’re right about appreciating the uphill climb, though. I don’t think “The End” would be nearly as satisfying if I didn’t have to fight my way there.
Author
Melissa, I thank God for each lesson learned along the rocky climb. Even the hard ones. (And I totally get the perfection thing.)
I used to think that could happen, but it’s not so in this office. One of my favorite Jerry Jenkins quotes: “Nobody wants to write a book-they want to have written a book.” But the celebration comes after the work.
Author
Ruth, preach it, gal! I think some misinformed folks go into the writing field because they think it’s going to be a piece of cake and a dollop of ice cream. Others genuinely love the craft and and they’re willing to do the hard thing (work) to reach their goal. I like the quote you mentioned– very true.
And here’s to celebrations! *clink*
Actually, my books DO write themselves. And my name is Harry Potter, and if you want to buy a bridge in Brooklyn I have one for sale.
Actually, I don’t have a lot of trouble. The first draft usually flows pretty well, and the successive ‘cuts’ tend to be pretty minor, so that they flow well, too. I have to do things fast, otherwise I forget what I was writing abo…
Hey, look, a squirrel!
What I appreciate the most are the friendships I have made along the way. The process, seriously, is a job. I rather like it, most of the time, but I treat it as something that has to be done a certain way, in a certain order, and that makes it easier. High art it is not, and…
Hey! ANOTHER squirrel!
Author
Ahhh, Andrew! Great to see you back and thanks so much for the end-of-the-day levity!
Sounds like you’ve found your groove and realize what it takes to get the job done. (Now I’m going to picture you at your desk, though, watching out the window for squirrels. Lol! BTW– I sent one to squirrel heaven the other day… but my husband always tells me not to swerve so…)