A Lot of Work

I'm constantly struck by how difficult the writing process is.

I used to think that writers were the only creative types who struggled with their craft.  I assumed that artists, for example, would paint their paintings right the first time.  Poets would jot a few notes on a page, and voila, a poem. Sculptors would know exactly where to tap the stone and a few days later would end up with a stunning work of art.

Then I became friends with 3 artists (who were members of my first creative group), and I saw that painting is hard work.  They plan; they sketch; they wrestle; they visualize; they research; they start all over again; they work; they work, and they work some more.

Why would I think that's any different from writing?  Because when we see a painting in a museum or hear a fantastic piece of music on the radio, we have no clue about the blood, sweat, and tears that went into producing it.

If you want to write something that's going to last a long time (and who doesn't?),  you have to be prepared for a lot of work.  A lot more than you're thinking about right now.  You will get up early.  You will go to bed late.  You will miss TV shows.  You will hibernate from your friends and family.  You will offend some of them.  You will devote time to learning what you don't know. 

You will think you are going crazy.

There is no way around that process. But if you know it ahead of time, you won't be surprised by how much work is required--and you won't be tempted to stop or be put off by the process.

I'm currently working on the children's books for the "Not For Sale" campaign to stop child trafficking, and I'm going through all that and more.  I'm on the third rewrite of one of the books, and frankly I wish it were finished. 

And it could have been, but my writer's group won't let me stop rewriting.  They know there's a lot more potential in the pages, and they're pushing me to make it the best it can be.  I guess I'm grateful. :-)

One of the tools that's helped our writer's group as we're working to finish our various writing projects is Blockbuster Plots, a book-and-DVD set that gives amazingly helpful information about structuring plots.  As I've followed the advice of author and writer's coach Martha Alderson, it's been more work (and more left-brained work) than I care to think about--but it's also been helpful and well worth the time and effort.

There's no way around it.  Writing is hard work.  But like childbirth, once you hold your "baby" in your hands--your own book with your own name on the cover--you'll forget the pain.  It will all be worth it.  You'll see.

Comments

[Martha Alderson]

Hi Diana,

What a thrill to read what you had to say about Blockbuster Plots Pure and Simple and me!! You are so generous. What a gift..........

I have Google Alerts and thus, was alerted that my name was used and directed to this wonderful surprise.

I have a writer's request for help on my blog. I'd love you to comment as one writer helping another:
http://plotwhisperer.blogspot.com/

Thanks again.
Sincerely,
martha alderson

[MaryElizabeth]

I can hardly wait to see! How long do I have to wait? Like an impatient child, I am eager to see the first book.

And by the way, FORGIVING had so many revisions I lost count. Over and over again I work to sharpen, clarify, stimulate. However, as I tweak and revise my prose and poetry, I find I like better the evolving version!

Once in a while I track revisions for my edification; generally, the process is delete, rewrite, read out loud, listen to my words, revise etc.

Waiting patiently! :)
Mary Elizabeth

[John]

I know this is written from the depths of experience and "current affairs" in your life. I have referenced this post in my own blog and hope that many will not be discouraged by this post but encouraged to travail until their creativity is birthed for all the world to see. Keep up the good work. We can't wait to see the finished product.