I'm really tired of writing this novel. I get up every morning and sit down at my desk, and when I finish for the day, I'm a few pages closer to the end of what may be a viable manuscript. But only a few pages, and the end is still very far away. And I've already written this novel twice, and it's taking too long, and I'm not having any fun, and whine whine whine.
I've never been particularly patient. Some might say that can't be true and that nobody impatient would have the discipline to write for years with little external motivation or reward. Still, I maintain that I'm not very patient. I get bored easily, and I tend to give up on activities when I didn't quickly show aptitude or improvement.
I guess the reason I haven't given up on writing is that I really, really, really want to attain success and I'm convinced I have a good shot at reaching my goal. The journey has been long, and there's a long way yet to go. I understand that the journey is what makes the goal possible, because I've only become a competent writer by writing and revising and sitting down at my desk every morning.
But how much longer is it going to be? I'm ready for this journey to be over. I'm really looking forward to the day that the navigation system announces, "You have arrived at your destination."
Good Stuff Out There:
→ A wonderful, painfully familiar essay by Dani Shapiro about the struggle of writing while the internet beckons: "In the time it has taken me to write these first two paragraphs, I have had the impulse to check email. I have had the impulse to look up the year that voice mail was invented." (Thanks, The Millions!)
→ Wendy MacNaughton researches and illustrates Snacks of the Great Scribblers. (Thanks, Louise!)
2 comments:
Man. That sounds really hard. Have I ever told you how much I really, really admire your dedication? And want you to be successful, in part so I can read your books in print and have them on my shelves? :)
Thank you, Lauren. That means a lot.
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