"Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia." (E.L. Doctorow)
Right now, I have the urge to write. Unfortunately, my current
'novel' that I've been working on for some time has hit a bit of a wall at 20,179
words and my attempts at poetry are infantile. I write this blog as an outlet
for my opinions but my real love is for fantasy. It's infinitely more
interesting than real life. So many people want to publish a book though - I
almost cringe whenever I tell people this is my dream. I feel like I'm jumping
on a bandwagon. It is honestly my passion. I've written since I was tiny and
remember my first complete story was called Slither The Snake (I even
illustrated it myself) and gave it to my mum as a present.
I probably will never summon up the courage to send my
writing off for consideration. I haven't even shown much of it to my friends
and family. I tend to crumble when criticised and know you have to be pretty
thick-skinned to get published. Thinking about how many publishers refused JK
Rowling before she succeeded makes me feel queasy.
It annoys me that so many people good authors will never get
published. Yet, Katy Price, aka Jordan, has published fiction. The one I saw
was called Angel and had a pink cover. Apparently it's "a perfect book for
the beach". I nearly threw up in rage. She may have a writing talent but I
think we can safely say she got published because she's famous. There are a lot
of 'pink' books out there and many read rather similarly. Why does she get
noticed? Most authors write every day of their lives and get hardly any recognition.
Interestingly, I realised recently that I write better when
depressed. In fact, when my life is happy and fulfilling and I am busy with my friends
and getting on with my work, I hardly write at all. This makes sense to an
extent and probably explains why so many great authors are a little neurotic. True
artistry comes from a messed up mind.
I'm going to keep writing because I enjoy it. Even if no one
notices. Maybe one day I will send something off hoping for publishing. The worst
they can do is refuse me (and tear my confidence and story to shreds) but I'll
never know if I don't try.
I think you'd make a great Author. Definitely better than Katie Price :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Em. :)
DeleteOk I knew you wrote occasionally, but I never knew you were writing a proper book!! I swear the older we get the more I realise I don't know about you
ReplyDeleteBut I agree, however bad you may think it is, it will always be better than Katie Price :D
It's not a 'proper' book until it becomes something that not only I have read and doesn't just sit on my desktop. :P Yeah, I did rage out a little at the idea of a Katie Price novel...
DeleteI really hope you never give up writing and wanting to be a published author. I have to confess its a dream I share although I would love to publish something I have written about history more than fiction although would give it a go! I agree there are a lot of hurdles in the way but there is not a single reason why you shouldn't try! I look forward to the day when I can go into a bookshop and buy the latest bestseller from renown author Cat D!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Claire. :) I'm sure you could do a history book. I swear you're basically doing one with your dissertation for your Masters.
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