A Quote
Greetings from the Infectious Disease Ward. Older son has strep. I have strep. My fever has been hovering in the 102-103 range. I am SO glad I cannot transmit the germs around here via cyberspace.
In the spirit of optimism, I have a quote that I think applies to writing--especially if you haven't yet achieved publication and it's still a dream.
Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.
~Martin Luther
Even if you felt publication might not come, wouldn't you still write? Even if I fear my next book is too quirky to be totally embraced, I still wrote it. We still write in the face of overwhleming odds, don't we?
Thoughts?
E
In the spirit of optimism, I have a quote that I think applies to writing--especially if you haven't yet achieved publication and it's still a dream.
Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.
~Martin Luther
Even if you felt publication might not come, wouldn't you still write? Even if I fear my next book is too quirky to be totally embraced, I still wrote it. We still write in the face of overwhleming odds, don't we?
Thoughts?
E
Labels: quotes about writing
posted by Erica Orloff at 7:01 AM
23 Comments:
Love the quote! Glad you're still optimistic. I've felt a ton of doubts about getting published, but I keep writing. During my deepest doubts, I created Write Attitude with 7 other writers.
I'm sending healthy vibes to you and your family. Take care of yourself.
Hi edie:
What a great site! Yet one mroe place I have to visit for inspiration.
:-)
E
A couple of online acquaintances have recently landed nice deals from major publishers for their first novels. I'm not jealous. Instead, their stories make it a little easier for me--still waiting on The Call--to keep the faith.
It can happen. It does happen. I have to believe it will happen for me.
Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.
Yep. I reckon I'll be writing till I catch the bus, whether I ever get paid for it or not. It's something only other writers can understand.
Hi Erica,
I can't believe you have a 103 degree fever and you're still blogging! AND the post is optimistic and coherent. Wow. You're truly Amazing.
I pray your family returns to health soon. Really soon. That way, you can get some rest.
Get those fevers down...
Edie, I LOVE your site, too! That's so cool. :-)
Take Care,
Michele
Jude:
Yup. Only us other crazies can get that.
E
Michelle:
Actually . . . my fever broke in the shower and now I am just a soggy mess, but slightly more comfortable. :-)
Have a great . . . and HEALTHY . . . day!
E
((((((((hugs))))))))
I'm so glad your fever broke! Is "good luck" the right thing to say for your daughter's cardiology appointment?
And to your question, I don't know. Maybe, but it'd take me a real long time. I think I'd write a book on piano teaching, or children, or a new piano method, if I thought I had NO hope of publication ever. I don't mind writing a book for practice, though.
I have no kids, so I have a pressure to contribute to the world, here, ROFL.
This post really speaks to me. A passion is what you pursue regardless of the odds, the obstacles, the hardships, the naysayers, and yes, even the rewards.
I almost forgot: Go to bed! Get some rest!
That's a great way to look at it. :)
Sometimes it's easier to focus on the here and now and on what you can accomplish today rather than what can possibly happen later. You make small strides in writing that eventually add up to a larger picture. But it's hard to quantify those little leaps forward that help get you to your final goal when you just want to slap a finished sticker on it and move on to the next thing. I just read a blurb about how writers, composers, and lyricists will work years on a play just hoping to get it to Broadway when only a few will.
You have to love what you do to have that kind of dedication.
Hope you're feeling better.
I'm so sorry to hear about the health balance being so far out in your house. I really hope you can bring some wellness into your life soon.
As far as writing goes, I thought I wanted to be published more than anything... and that was driving me crazy and keeping me from enjoying the actual act of sitting down to the keyboard and creating.
But reading your blog, and the brilliant and insightful comments of your contributors, and reading their blogs as well has reaffirmed for me that I write because I truly love it. WHenever I am not writing I just feel congested in my life.
I just completed the bulk of a fist draft on a new story for NaNoWriMo and I am in love with it. The last evening of NaNo I wrote over 5K and it was the most amazing feeling.
Right now I just don't care if I get published, as long as I can carve out space each day to get some words to page I think I will be peace with my muse.
Publication may never come for me, and yes, I would still write. In fact the more I write, the more I realize my need to write.
It's like I forgot to breathe for a while and now, having just gulped in some oxygen, I find myself taking deep long breaths.
Still praying for you and your family. May have to find some candles to light!!
Jen
Hi Spy:
I think if I didn't get paid to write, I might write more poetry.
E
stephen:
You are right. Against all odds . . . because you have the passion for it.
E
j.t.:
Funny . . . I have toyed for YEARS with a play. I tinker with it, put it away. And figure SOMEDAY, I'll try to get it produced, maybe by a community theater group or something.
Did you ever hear the story of the guy who wrote RENT?
E
ewoh:
What a great place to be in . . . wanting to be with the muse for a bit each day.
E
j.k.:
Hmm . . . I think me, too. I used to write a lot when I was younger with no dreams of publication, and I was OK with that. But definitely the longer I do it, the more I realize it's just something I have to do . . . regardless of what happens.
E
I LOVE when the fever breaks.
You win: your fever is higher than mine. I only have a massive sinus infection. Your strep trumps that, too. Not that I envy you.
Erica, I can't believe you are blogging. You even visited my site. What a woman.
Please go get some sleep.
BTW, I loved the quote. Thanks for the inspiration.
Being sick is no fun. i hope you feel better soon.
I don't know if publication will come. while outwardly i'm confident enough to know i can write publication worthy stories there is still that voice that reminds me publication may never come. but i do it anyway.
Hi Tena:
You know, this is one area where I would not like to win or trump anyone. ;-)
E
P.S. That story of you and Cami really did make me cry!!!
jessiegirl:
I think that's one of THE hardest things about being a writer. Even published, I have some proposals that I REALLY wanted to do that didn't get bought--mostly timing of "what was hot." And being as it's a cyclical biz, maybe one day they will be. Or maybe never.
E
Erica,
If I remember correctly didn't he write the play on napkins at the restaurant where worked? Then I think he died soon after the play opened. It was a sad story but interesting how inspiration can hit. I'm sure he never thought it would be a major Broadway musical. :)
j.t.:
He died of Marfan Syndrome the day he gave his first interview about the show. I think they canceled the preview and did a friends-only performance, and then opened on time to huge acclaim . . . but it was really emotional for all connected to it--and he never did see its success.
E
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