I read a writer's blog the other day and was impressed by the talent I discovered in samples of a murder mystery piece. It was enjoyable to read what was offered. It was shocking, however, to find in the last entry an adamant statement regarding the writer's work.
'I quit on my novel.' Point blank—no excuses.
How sad.
So, I wrote her a message, one that might help others who stand on the brink of that high cliff called I Quit. Are you so sure you want to jump? Perhaps you should fill your name in the blank.
"You,_________, have talent in writing, that is clear. But what I sense is a novelist's dream detached from real love for the work.
Let me be bold here, not to bruise feelings but to help you face your desires full on. It seems your attitude towards writing is more like that of a spectator—a hopeful soul thrilling in the race from the sidelines, mostly glorying in the idea of crossing that coveted finish line but without stepping foot on the track. Do you dare join the harried sprint, to sweat and struggle and sacrifice things of worth, to risk being knocked onto your butt, laughed at or pitied for attempting to compete with experienced performers and risk everything only to find yourself the least of the pack?
It is a gamble: following a dream. To be one small and perhaps weak voice among millions. That is precisely why you must LOVE the work.
I write because in all my life I have found no other venture that consumes me with the same fierce desire. I am a storyteller at heart. Like hunger, the need to put fantasy into words controls my appetite continually throughout each and every day. I yearn to share my daydreamed adventures, and I hope (as well as pray) to live long enough to scribble out every last story swirling about in my head. Writing is my passion. Succeeding as a novelist, minor successes even, drives my daily choices and actions.
So the questions you must ask yourself are these: Do I crave opportunities to write? Is writing my driving force or simply a hobby and a pleasant way to fill the time? Does the desire to write push me to the point of sacrificing other activities of arguable importance? Would you give up your lunch hour just to scratch out one more really good paragraph? And perhaps the best test of all—would your family ever accuse you of being obsessed with the work?
I love this quote by Leon Uris - "'Who here wants to be a writer,' I asked. Everyone in the room raised his hand. 'Why the hell aren't you home writing?' I said, and left the stage."
I dare you to feel toward writing as you do toward whatever activity wins your free time. Or... perhaps... is it this other distraction that truly sparks your inner drive? Are you an artist, a builder, an athlete, a performer at heart? If you had the choice to describe a love scene through words, or sketch and color it visually, or perhaps act it out on stage, which would excite you to action? And which would cause your shoulders to droop with thoughts of procrastination?
If a desire to write burns in you, try this approach to a new novel. Think up an ending first. Imagine those last touching moments in a movie, the final chapter of a book so consuming you neglected all else to finish it in two days. Envision this great ending (you don't have to know the plot yet) and play it out a few times in your imagination. Give the characters mental faces and names. Then write the ending to this masterful story. If you are awed by your own ending to the book, then in my opinion you are more than halfway there.
It is building castles in the sky! Now, all you have to do is put foundations under them. Or in other words, write towards that amazing ending. It will steer your characters' choices all throughout the creation of the book. For me, it has always been an effective way to write because it assures where the story is headed and where the finish line has been drawn. That is how I write—with the end determined first, my goal clearly in sight.
I wish you the best of luck in whatever dream you pursue. The difficult part is choosing where to focus your efforts when you are obviously gifted in more than one creative area. God has blessed you with talents that you have been faithful in developing. But, do not fail to do something daily to move toward your goal, even if it means writing only one sentence. You will be amazed by how quickly those simple sentences accumulate into an impressive accomplishment!
Small steps. You can do it! There is no need to quit.
