Sit down and put down everything that comes into your head, then you are a writer.
But an author is one who can judge his own stuff's worth, without pity, and destroy most of it.
~~Colette, writer (1873-1954)
9 comments:
Anonymous
said...
I have heard this, and similar quotes, so many times that I have had to break myself of a tendency to terminally edit the guts out of everything I write. I think sometimes you have to have the courage to believe in your own ideas, too, and not expunge all of the parts that reveal some tenderness or emotion.
My biggest struggle is weighing (destroying) ideas. I think they're all brilliant, but with prayer and guidance from those I trust, I spend time on ones that others think are brilliant, too :-)
I think an author vs writer is that an author is about crafting a story, developing characters as much as writing a brilliant sentece, We scrutinized even our best writing against the characters and story we've built.
Is it ever perfect? No, we can edit for eternity and we won't feel it's done.
Yes, we have to believe in ourselves and our stories! Trust our gut. ;)
Tricia said "I think they're all brilliant." My problem is that I quickly conclude my ideas are all terrible, that it's all been done before and no one will EVER want to publish them.
I think what makes us have confidence in ourselves is our study of the craft. Don't you agree Rachel? The more I study, the more I know what works. Then, once it works I figure out how to improve. It's a never-ending education.
I have to agree with that. It isn't just true of writing a book. It is true in reporting and every other part of life. We take baby steps in growing and studying. Some times, we can make leaps, but those moments aren't as easy to come by. Like talking. We started with one word after studying our parents. Eventually, we learned whole sentences by studying those around us. Our vocabulary grew as we received our educations. Writing is a process, I have learned. I wanted to be great from the beginning. But, I have learned to be patient and allow others to help me learn. The more I learn, the more confidence I have.
I'm sick-to-death of quick, easy distinctions between the concepts of "writer" and "author." So, here are two more quick, easy distinctions for me to be sick-to-death of:
A writer loves his or her writing while an author loves to write. And that rule's corollary: A writer hates criticism while an author hates imperfection.
In my mind, the distinction is simply this: An author is published, a writer is not. Both have written a book, but only one is called an "author" by other people!
Tricia Goyer is the author of thirty books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.
Do you ever wish you had a writing mentor? Someone to give you advice, answer your questions, and prod you on?
My prayer is that this blog would provide just that! Posts on My Writing Mentor will consist of tips, helps, and answers for finding success in the publishing world.
My Writing Mentor will also answer your questions ... or find someone who can. Simply leave your questions in the comment field of any post or Email me if you have any writing questions.
9 comments:
I have heard this, and similar quotes, so many times that I have had to break myself of a tendency to terminally edit the guts out of everything I write. I think sometimes you have to have the courage to believe in your own ideas, too, and not expunge all of the parts that reveal some tenderness or emotion.
I totally agree. Good point!
My biggest struggle is weighing (destroying) ideas. I think they're all brilliant, but with prayer and guidance from those I trust, I spend time on ones that others think are brilliant, too :-)
I love this quote. It's true.
I think an author vs writer is that an author is about crafting a story, developing characters as much as writing a brilliant sentece, We scrutinized even our best writing against the characters and story we've built.
Is it ever perfect? No, we can edit for eternity and we won't feel it's done.
Yes, we have to believe in ourselves and our stories! Trust our gut. ;)
Rachel
Tricia said "I think they're all brilliant." My problem is that I quickly conclude my ideas are all terrible, that it's all been done before and no one will EVER want to publish them.
I think what makes us have confidence in ourselves is our study of the craft. Don't you agree Rachel? The more I study, the more I know what works. Then, once it works I figure out how to improve. It's a never-ending education.
I have to agree with that. It isn't just true of writing a book. It is true in reporting and every other part of life. We take baby steps in growing and studying. Some times, we can make leaps, but those moments aren't as easy to come by. Like talking. We started with one word after studying our parents. Eventually, we learned whole sentences by studying those around us. Our vocabulary grew as we received our educations. Writing is a process, I have learned. I wanted to be great from the beginning. But, I have learned to be patient and allow others to help me learn. The more I learn, the more confidence I have.
A little preachy. Will zip it now!
Writing is a process, and I'm still learning. In fact I always think I will be ... it's one of those professions where you never quite "arrive."
I'm sick-to-death of quick, easy distinctions between the concepts of "writer" and "author." So, here are two more quick, easy distinctions for me to be sick-to-death of:
A writer loves his or her writing while an author loves to write. And that rule's corollary: A writer hates criticism while an author hates imperfection.
In my mind, the distinction is simply this: An author is published, a writer is not. Both have written a book, but only one is called an "author" by other people!
Post a Comment