Warning: Some Violence and Much Strong Language.HE WROTE: Bleeding On The Page
That's what it takes.
There are 'literary' writers who turn up their noses at genre or commercial fiction. Thinking somehow their tomes are so much more important and took so much more effort. I challenge any of them to write a mystery or a science fiction story or a horror story or a romance or ROMANTIC ADVENTURE (key phrase).
Because creating art is much more than just cranking it out or even the words on the page. It's about delving deep to create. We care about our characters. Our stories. We care about the effect on readers.
Been a little bleeding done lately and it will be all right because we're PROFESSIONALS. Don't try this at home.
I wouldn't be anything but a writer. Because as a kid there was nothing better to go to the library and get a book and disappear for a while. We all need that.
So. Nothing but good times ahead.
We've got lives.
Great lives.
I'll even try to smile and talk to people during the book tour.
Well talk. Smiling's hard.
Well be there. Talking is hard.
I'll be breathing.
8 Comments:
I agree Bob. It's not what you write but the creative process. Whether you write high brow literature or category romance every word, every character every plot point is sweated on and wrenched from deep inside.
Just reading about your process my admiration runneth over. Being creative on a deadline just seems wrong. I'm so grateful you do it. I love disappearing into a good book and then wondering "how'd they (writers) do that?"
I know what you mean about caring for your characters. I've only been writing for a little while (hell I just turned 20, I've only been round a little while) and my writing has been purely for pleasure but I've learnt that you come to deeply care about your characters. They become a part of your life, to the point where if you see a new painting you begin to wonder what they'd think of it. I don't know how I'd live without them now.
The creative process isn't an easy one so we're all grateful to you and Jenny for putting yourselves out there.
Who decides which label to put on a body of work? Dickens' work wasn't considered "Literature" as it is today; you're in great company.
"Literary Writers" probably feel they bleed more for their work. It's really only due to the barge poles they carry up their spines.
Writing is work. Sure it sounds like a better job than say cleaning sewers- but it's a job with it's fair pile of shit as well. As I remember when I have a bad day at work, it's work, that is why they pay you. If it was just for fun it would be a hobby. Once writing becomes a job- versus scribbling at home for fun- it comes with the ups and downs. We're all rooting for you both and have tremendous respect for your work. If all else fails,try sniffing a dog- you might feel a bit better.
You've done harder things, just not as uncomfortable. While touring, look for the ugliest shirt in the room. See, could be worse. At least you're not wearing it.
Yeah. Writing the book is the easy part.
"Nothing better...than going to the library, getting a book, and disappearing for awhile". Yep, that was my life as a kid too. I still feel that way. Whenever it all gets too much I grab a book and just read... By the time I am finished, whatever was troubling me is a little more manageable and I can look at if from a fresh perspective. Works every time.
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