My why is because I am better in writing (than in person), I enjoy writing, and it’s the thing I’m good at. My purpose is to expand kindness and I do that through writing. Besides giving readers a bump of goodness, I want to entertain them—give them a good story to get lost in.
Okay. Now I’m going to read your post and learn about your why, and try not to let my demon convince me that my why is too simple and therefore not good enough.
I am so taken when I read what another person has written and feel they have peered into my soul. I am a yet-to-be published author. This upcoming year will have me investigate self-publishing, perhaps via ebook, because I just can't sell myself as something I'm not. My first manuscript is a Christmas story that my heart had to tell, a story of loss and then, redemption of faith--not so much "faith" as religion, but as a greater good that defies definition.
I understand that agents have to sell a book, and yet another Christmas tale? Seems unnecessary, unless it is a holiday romance. Who needs another "A Christmas Carol" or "It's a Wonderful Life?"
I did. So I wrote it.
I've recently discovered you, Boo, via the Writer UnBoxed website. Which I found via querying Donald Maas (who rejected me 😣) If nothing else comes from my writing "career" (currently 3 manuscripts in, and at least three more percolating in my mind) I am staving off dementia. Writing is hard work. Getting published is even harder.
So nice to connect! You followed your heart, that's always right. You're right about getting published! Also, Donald Maass rejected me--er--passed on me years ago too. That's a right of passage. And then last year, I got to have breakfast with him. His craft writing is my fave. Life changing.
LOL, Boo, you brought a smile to my face this morning!
I love the idea of "passed" that Marta suggested, but your "That's a right of passage" has lifted me up! I feel validated!
I come into this writing world with no formal background, unless you consider being my HS yearbook editor many, many years ago. Whenever I feel like a fraud, someone who has made it offers encouragement which astounds me, as I thought everyone would be cutthroat competitive! When I thanked author Thomas McKelvey Cleaver for some advice, he told me (paraphrase here, as he uses spicier language) that it is tough to break in, and anyone who forgets how difficult it was and doesn't help others is--ahem!--a not very nice person.
Love this - thank you for sharing. I write too - nothing of your amazing level...love your stories. But as the baby of a family with none of my own, I write stories from my youth, and told in my youth, so that my nephew and his family, and my cousins and their families, will know them and know a little about the family members before them who lived through so much and did so with dignity and grace and in service to others. Side note: A few years ago I learned that Ambrose Bierce was in our family line, and and few years after that, I read a book by Jimmy Buffett saying he was reading a book by Ambrose Bierce...a werid sort of wheel in wheel that deserves its own story someday. Keep writing my friend. We love it.
My why is because I am better in writing (than in person), I enjoy writing, and it’s the thing I’m good at. My purpose is to expand kindness and I do that through writing. Besides giving readers a bump of goodness, I want to entertain them—give them a good story to get lost in.
Okay. Now I’m going to read your post and learn about your why, and try not to let my demon convince me that my why is too simple and therefore not good enough.
yours is perf.
Better in writing than in person - wow. I think I’ll be having that on my headstone! 😂
haha. me too.
🤩
Wow, just wow.
I am so taken when I read what another person has written and feel they have peered into my soul. I am a yet-to-be published author. This upcoming year will have me investigate self-publishing, perhaps via ebook, because I just can't sell myself as something I'm not. My first manuscript is a Christmas story that my heart had to tell, a story of loss and then, redemption of faith--not so much "faith" as religion, but as a greater good that defies definition.
I understand that agents have to sell a book, and yet another Christmas tale? Seems unnecessary, unless it is a holiday romance. Who needs another "A Christmas Carol" or "It's a Wonderful Life?"
I did. So I wrote it.
I've recently discovered you, Boo, via the Writer UnBoxed website. Which I found via querying Donald Maas (who rejected me 😣) If nothing else comes from my writing "career" (currently 3 manuscripts in, and at least three more percolating in my mind) I am staving off dementia. Writing is hard work. Getting published is even harder.
Maybe Donald Maass passed. I reject the word reject!
Marta, that is wonderful!! Thank you!
So nice to connect! You followed your heart, that's always right. You're right about getting published! Also, Donald Maass rejected me--er--passed on me years ago too. That's a right of passage. And then last year, I got to have breakfast with him. His craft writing is my fave. Life changing.
LOL, Boo, you brought a smile to my face this morning!
I love the idea of "passed" that Marta suggested, but your "That's a right of passage" has lifted me up! I feel validated!
I come into this writing world with no formal background, unless you consider being my HS yearbook editor many, many years ago. Whenever I feel like a fraud, someone who has made it offers encouragement which astounds me, as I thought everyone would be cutthroat competitive! When I thanked author Thomas McKelvey Cleaver for some advice, he told me (paraphrase here, as he uses spicier language) that it is tough to break in, and anyone who forgets how difficult it was and doesn't help others is--ahem!--a not very nice person.
A wonderful Thanksgiving to you!
Right back to you. And yes, I agree with Thomas. It takes a village.
Love this - thank you for sharing. I write too - nothing of your amazing level...love your stories. But as the baby of a family with none of my own, I write stories from my youth, and told in my youth, so that my nephew and his family, and my cousins and their families, will know them and know a little about the family members before them who lived through so much and did so with dignity and grace and in service to others. Side note: A few years ago I learned that Ambrose Bierce was in our family line, and and few years after that, I read a book by Jimmy Buffett saying he was reading a book by Ambrose Bierce...a werid sort of wheel in wheel that deserves its own story someday. Keep writing my friend. We love it.