In the midst of attempting to reach 50,000 words on my current manuscript, I decided to fit one more book in this month (as my goal is to read at least four). Recently, I've been able to read a book in two nights. The better it is, the faster I get through it. But the book isn't what got me thinking about fantasy, it was a movie I watched today.
Ever since I was in high school, I've become aware of the way I view stories (whether written or on screen). Certain plots, characters, or worlds call to me and I find myself in a funk for days while I constantly think about it. Wish I had written it, or starred in the movie, or even had a chance at meeting one of the actors, or authors, or something. It's a weird feeling to be so attached to something and to know in a few days my life will resume and I will feel back to my old self.
So, to distract myself from my impending funk (saw a movie that really touched me today), I decided to finish reading the book I picked up yesterday (The Forest of Hands and Teeth). I'm not a zombie fan, but the book was amazing. If you like horror, love, struggle for life, and, of course, young adult then I recommend picking it up. It definitely helped me get over self-pity and I might even work on my own book tonight.
On a side note, I was speaking to a friend yesterday, explaining the publishing process (it's amazing how many people just think anyone can be published), I had to explain just how hard it is to make a living as a writer. And worse, how hard it can be to feel good about your writing when you're sending it out to agents and getting rejections. Hard doesn't even cover it, when you've spent a year or two working on something that no one finds publishable. But time and time again, I hear that persistence pays off. And I just wanted to leave you with that thought. Write for the love of writing. Write for the love of a story, for the love of creating stories and touching the lives of others.
What books or movies (or anything else) have you seen/heard/read that has stayed with you for days after? I'd love to know.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth just sounds cool.
ReplyDeleteI keep hearing the same thing about persistence, so we both better just keep at it. :)
My thought is, if I find no joy in what I'm writing, why write it? I have to remind myself that I do love writing, whether I end up landing a publishing deal or not. So far that seems to kick me out of my funks.
:D
It's is not an easy path we've chosen, but it is do-able. It took me eight years from first draft of first novel (it's the third one that sold) to that contract. By the time the novel is released, it'll be ten years. But, it was worth it. It helped me to say to my nonwriting friends "I'm on the ten year plan." or "I'm three years into my ten year plan". That helped them with perspective.
ReplyDeleteof course, I never expected that it would ACTUALLY be ten years!! ha.
and, sometimes I think about how much I wanted to quit or how discouraged I felt at three years or seven years or even last year when I got a really mean critique. Now I am so glad I pushed on through those times.
okay -- off the soapbox. thanks for listening :)
Tess, thanks for commenting. No soapbox needed. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd Meg, yes! We better keep at it.
It feels good to connect with people who are going through (or have gone through) the same things I am.