I admire this piece enormously. In 1963, during my third year in college, a couple of the people in my creative writing class got the idea that there ought to be a published collecton of some of our work. They lit fires under some of the rest of us, and at last enlisted the help of George Garrett, our teacher, who helped with the final form of the collection and wrote a preface, in which he made a few predictions about us, including this one: “A few may achieve some reputation, and perhaps one or two will be ‘professionals,’ meaning in this day and age fully dedicated part-time writers.” I took that to heart, and it has helped me toward happiness in my relationship with my craft.
This was such a refreshing read. As someone whose writing took a backseat for a while, it wasn't easy to find that inspiration (and motivation) to write again. This article perfectly captured the envy I felt reading those "day in the life" stories or the despair I felt reading articles that told me I needed X, Y, and Z to write if I was in a slump.
I kept thinking — maybe I wrote in the park, or a coffee shop, or set aside time *just* for writing — lots of maybes, that I could write again. None of those maybes worked. I just started writing one day again — it really didn't matter where I was or how my day had been. All of these other things are additional joys; they're not really necessary for me to write.
I am just at that place where I am starting to take my writing seriously and this was very helpful to think about.
I’m so glad, Mary! Thanks so much.
I admire this piece enormously. In 1963, during my third year in college, a couple of the people in my creative writing class got the idea that there ought to be a published collecton of some of our work. They lit fires under some of the rest of us, and at last enlisted the help of George Garrett, our teacher, who helped with the final form of the collection and wrote a preface, in which he made a few predictions about us, including this one: “A few may achieve some reputation, and perhaps one or two will be ‘professionals,’ meaning in this day and age fully dedicated part-time writers.” I took that to heart, and it has helped me toward happiness in my relationship with my craft.
So good. Just woke up at 5 am to write because the kids are up at 6:30. All after a camping weekend and late nights. Whew. In the little margins.
This was such a refreshing read. As someone whose writing took a backseat for a while, it wasn't easy to find that inspiration (and motivation) to write again. This article perfectly captured the envy I felt reading those "day in the life" stories or the despair I felt reading articles that told me I needed X, Y, and Z to write if I was in a slump.
I kept thinking — maybe I wrote in the park, or a coffee shop, or set aside time *just* for writing — lots of maybes, that I could write again. None of those maybes worked. I just started writing one day again — it really didn't matter where I was or how my day had been. All of these other things are additional joys; they're not really necessary for me to write.
It's good to see someone articulate this so well.
(yawn) Make your own myths. Make your own way.
This was beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this.