Have I always loved beginnings? Sometimes not. Beginnings are fraught also with many unknowns, many hiddens. The beginning of a baby’s life, when every dream could still be realized, every hope fulfilled and the most amazing life any two parents could imagine seems possible. The beginning of a trip when it is full of unrealistic fantastical promise. The beginning of a book, like a new love interest before you get to know them: Both are perfect .
At the beginning of a new job I envied those already comfortable there, already in the flow, already taking their jobs for granted. In a new city, I envied those who made themselves right at home wherever they were making it look as though they had always been there, living their lives.
I don’t always despise beginnings. On the mornings that I was first to walk the beach, or only thought so because the ocean erased all traces of those who had gone before me, I felt like the only person in the world at the beginning of time.
I’m three years into a writing career and every time I pull out a new notebook or click on the new page in Word, I restart, begin again. Every story, every article every essay. Maybe it is the continuous supply of new beginnings that keeps me interested.
What are you beginning?
Showing posts with label writing question. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing question. Show all posts
Do You?
Why do you write? A question as old as writing itself. A question with as many answers as writers. Instead, let me ask not why you write, but do you like writing?
I read this morning in a work shopping book by Alan Ziegler that he like to have written, a sentiment shared by Dorothy Parker.
When I was an artist, I loved to have created. To me the reward dwelt in the end product, the mosaic, the painting, the photograph. I started to realize some processes weren’t as fun as others. It became a battle to finish the projects I’d started. I called it losing heart.
I read this morning in a work shopping book by Alan Ziegler that he like to have written, a sentiment shared by Dorothy Parker.
When I was an artist, I loved to have created. To me the reward dwelt in the end product, the mosaic, the painting, the photograph. I started to realize some processes weren’t as fun as others. It became a battle to finish the projects I’d started. I called it losing heart.
When I lived in Florida, I heard the phrase, “Getting there is half the fun.” I’ve since adopted this sentiment in dealing with all my creative ventures. It helps me decide if certain projects are worth investing in. I used to think I wanted to make stained glass projects. I don’t. I like looking at it. I saved myself thousands of dollars and a small fortuen in bandages. If it’s not fun getting there, maybe it’s the wrong vehicle for the trip.
I enjoy writing. If half the fun is getting there, published, I am more in love with getting there than being there. The Island of Published is like being on a vacation. I can’t really live in a vacation spot. It’s a great place to visit and absorb the local flavor, but the novelty wears off all too soon. Besides, if you live there, it’s no longer a vacation, it’s home.
I do like to have written. Somewhere hidden in my computer is an ever growing file of essays that I hope to polish for submission this year, one for every working day. It’s only May. I think I can get my 13 in play and make my goal of 100 submissions.
So back to the question: Do you like to write?
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