BE YOURSELF.
ABOVE ALL, LET WHO YOU ARE,
WHAT YOU ARE, WHAT YOU BELIEVE,
SHINE THROUGH EVERY SENTENCE YOU WRITE,
EVERY PIECE YOU FINISH.
EVERY PIECE YOU FINISH.
(John Jakes.)
I sometimes wonder if people who don't write understand how much of ourselves we put into our writing. I know there are some who look at flash, hint, Twitter fiction and think something along the lines of "It took her how long to write that?" or "That's not a real story." or "I could knock out one of those easy." (That's similar to the "I could write a novel if I wanted to. How hard could it be?" bit.)
I used to defend myself, my writing, explaining how it takes time to find the true nugget of the story, to find the strongest, most powerful words to tell it in those tight parameters, etc. Now, I tend to just shrug and let my words speak for themselves.
Don't let anyone downplay what you do. This week - and always! - let your words speak for you and about you.
Sometimes my friends say they can "see" me in my stories. I guess it's hard not to invest part of ourselves in our work; definitely not a bad thing!
ReplyDeleteMilo, my favorite is when people think my stories are true and I have to convince them otherwise. :)
ReplyDeleteAny writer who's ever tried to write micro-fiction knows how difficult that is--and impressive when a writer gets it right.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, we just have to keep on keeping on...reminds me of that poem by Yeats, "To A Friend Whose Work Has Come To Nothing." SO much of our writing comes to nothing until the day when it all comes together into something remarkable. And how sweet that is, right?!
Cathy, you are so right! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of John Jakes and hadn't seen that quote before, I love it. When I first decided to focus on writing, I found myself trying to write what I thought other people would like. It didn't work at all, and I didn't feel the least bit genuine. It's definitely so true that you have to be yourself and do what you love, no matter what others think or say. This is a great reminder!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad this quote struck a chord with you, Julie.
ReplyDeleteAnd I remember devouring the "The North and South Trilogy" years ago. (It didn't hurt that Patrick Swayze was in the TV miniseries.) :)