The Writer's Life
Watching Californication on Showtime, with David Duchovny as a novelist with writer's block and a host of vices, it got me thinking about the lives of writers. I am getting to know a lot of authors lately and for much of my life I have wanted to be one. Watching this show would turn me off of that in heartbeat.
I think of my friend Pat Simmons as a bit of a role model. Her first full-length novel, GUILTY OF LOVE, came out recently and I am currently reading it. She is a publicist, writes news copy for a TV station, makes her own clothes and takes good care of her family. She makes it look so easy, even though I know it's not.
I don't know that the average reader really appreciates what it takes to write a novel, let alone get it published. And that may be to their advantage. If readers truly knew the writer's process, it could affect their ability to enjoy the books. If readers knew that some people push out each word like they are going into labor, that the majority of the nation's caffeine supply goes into the mornings and late nights of author's lives and that some authors hate what they do, readers might feel disillusioned.
However, so far, the authors I have met do not fit any of the above. I don't think I personally know any alcoholic, bitter or frustrated authors. The authors I know seem to recognize how very lucky they are to do what they love and share it with others. They genuinely love to meet their fans, do their best to answer their questions as best they can, and while the deadlines can get them down, they still love to write. And when you feel that way, I think it shows in the books themselves.
Nicole
I think of my friend Pat Simmons as a bit of a role model. Her first full-length novel, GUILTY OF LOVE, came out recently and I am currently reading it. She is a publicist, writes news copy for a TV station, makes her own clothes and takes good care of her family. She makes it look so easy, even though I know it's not.
I don't know that the average reader really appreciates what it takes to write a novel, let alone get it published. And that may be to their advantage. If readers truly knew the writer's process, it could affect their ability to enjoy the books. If readers knew that some people push out each word like they are going into labor, that the majority of the nation's caffeine supply goes into the mornings and late nights of author's lives and that some authors hate what they do, readers might feel disillusioned.
However, so far, the authors I have met do not fit any of the above. I don't think I personally know any alcoholic, bitter or frustrated authors. The authors I know seem to recognize how very lucky they are to do what they love and share it with others. They genuinely love to meet their fans, do their best to answer their questions as best they can, and while the deadlines can get them down, they still love to write. And when you feel that way, I think it shows in the books themselves.
Nicole
posted at 2:24 PM
1 Comments:
I completely agree with you. Great post. The writer's process is definately a challenge. There have only been a few tools that have helped many along the way, especially for those of you who are independent writers. One of those tools I have come across lately that has turned many heads is Nothing Binding.com. I really loved the idea.
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