Scrooge
I love the holidays. The chaos, the shopping, the exhaustion, the whirlwind of parties, the lights. When I go out shopping, I meet my fair share of Scrooges, but I just smile and wish all a happy holidays.
But Scrooge got me thinking . . . about the Writerly Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
Because for me, the New Year is always shiny and new and full of fresh goals and ambitions and hopes and dreams. It's also a time for me to assess where I've been and where I'm going. As a human being, a mother, a writer, a friend.
With that in mind, as a writer, I am looking at my ghosts . . .
Of Christmas Past. This one is fun. Five years ago, I was a writer with a dream of publishing a novel. It was an unspoken dream because, frankly, how many people does that happen to? How many people want to be writers/novelists but never finish, or never sell? Or give up? Silent dreams are, I think, the ones we dare not imagine. But after selling 20+ novels (my first, Spanish Disco, came out in 2003), the Ghost of Christmas Past teaches me to go out on a limb and dream big.
Of Christmas Present. Four kids, three dogs, four birds, three fish, and a python in a pear tree. Christmas is chaotic around here. And I have TWO deadlines looming in January. I'm seeking peace on earth and a little quiet time to get things done.
Of Christmas Future. Being as I sold Mafia Chic to Warner Brothers this year, I would love if Christmas Future had my book on TV as a series. And more book sales and more ideas . . . and just this crazy life continuing full steam ahead.
So, no Scrooge here. Just gatefulness for how far I've come and where I'm going? How about your ghosts?
But Scrooge got me thinking . . . about the Writerly Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
Because for me, the New Year is always shiny and new and full of fresh goals and ambitions and hopes and dreams. It's also a time for me to assess where I've been and where I'm going. As a human being, a mother, a writer, a friend.
With that in mind, as a writer, I am looking at my ghosts . . .
Of Christmas Past. This one is fun. Five years ago, I was a writer with a dream of publishing a novel. It was an unspoken dream because, frankly, how many people does that happen to? How many people want to be writers/novelists but never finish, or never sell? Or give up? Silent dreams are, I think, the ones we dare not imagine. But after selling 20+ novels (my first, Spanish Disco, came out in 2003), the Ghost of Christmas Past teaches me to go out on a limb and dream big.
Of Christmas Present. Four kids, three dogs, four birds, three fish, and a python in a pear tree. Christmas is chaotic around here. And I have TWO deadlines looming in January. I'm seeking peace on earth and a little quiet time to get things done.
Of Christmas Future. Being as I sold Mafia Chic to Warner Brothers this year, I would love if Christmas Future had my book on TV as a series. And more book sales and more ideas . . . and just this crazy life continuing full steam ahead.
So, no Scrooge here. Just gatefulness for how far I've come and where I'm going? How about your ghosts?
posted by Erica Orloff at 8:16 AM
8 Comments:
Testing 1 2 3...
Just typed a rambling post and blogger ate it!
Somebody's trying to tell me something.
'K. Lets try this again.
Wow. You've come a long way, baby! 20+ books in five years is an impressive accomplishment.
The New Year: Ditto.
Past: Five years ago I was a housewife, often bored with a HBB which is feast or famine seasonally. No computer, but dozens of notebooks filled with scribbles and the amoebic thought that maybe I could write a book.
Present: two kids, two cats, two dogs, too many sisters some days, and a business phone I'd often like to throw into a tall tree. Several mss completed and several more I know I'll finish when time permits. So the present has shown me I can go from 'once upon a time' to 'the end'
Future: ??? Hopefully it will bring me the focus and confidence necessary to take those final steps that will result in my name on a cover. At this point, I'm fairly certain I'll just keep typing 'the end' until that happens.
So, nope. No Scrooge here either.
A post late, but I love the cover of 'Poker Diaries'! Makes me want to tap my heels together and say, "There's no place like home, there's no pla..."
Lainey:
Thanks on the Poker Diaries cover. I know . . . I just LOVE it. I have such a cool reaction every time I see it, too! :-)
As for the ghost of past, present, and future . . . yes, we're all so busy and have so much to occupy ourselves, yet all these ideas keep coming. I am so glad you are creating your stories!
Christmas future: Published novelist who bakes a fabulous loaf of bread. :)
Jude:
And won't you be living on the Seine, as well?
E
I'm starting to think you're downright clairvoyant, Erica. :)
delurking here... was in a few interesting places (mentally and emotionally) over the last two weeks, but now I'm back.
Scrooge keeps making an appearance, but I kicked his ass last time and I'll keep doing it as many times as I have to.
Past: Six years ago I had given up writing. I hated my poetry and refused to believe I could write anything else. I was fortunate enough to make a friend who brought me back from the precipice.
Present: Writing like I'm pretending to write. Still have a huge lack of faith in myself but that is turning around. I have completed Nanowrimo twice in the last two years and have three incomplete first drafts of novels staring at me. But I am writing and that has completely redefined who I thought I knew myself as.
Future: I hope desperately that I am not as bad as I think I am. I continue to learn and relearn my craft. I know that it will be my key to success and I know I have to master it. I will finish at least the three drafts that I have started. I don't know about getting published, but I know I will keep writing. I can't not do it any more...
ewoh:
Welcome back. Sorry to hear you've had a rough couple of weeks. Believe, believe, believe. It's the leap of faith of an artist.
Hang in there! Keep writing . . .
E
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