Sunday, October 18, 2009

Working Hard

You must read this wonderful essay on learning about writing from Annie Dillard. (via Moonrat at Editoral Ass)


This was my favorite quote:

Talent isn’t enough, she had told us. Writing is work. Anyone can do this, anyone can learn to do this. It’s not rocket science, it’s habits of mind and habits of work. I started with people much more talented than me, she said, and they’re dead or in jail or not writing. The difference between myself and them is that I’m writing.

Talent could give you nothing. Without work, talent is only talent, promise, not product. I wanted to learn how to go from being the accident at the beginning to a writer, and I learned that from her.


It really spoke to me because I have been frustrated lately at the difficulty I am having in rewriting, and I just want to be done. I think I'm done, and then realize I'm not. But If I keep working, and not think that I whatever I just dash off is perfect, then I can become a published writer. But there are several wonderful gems in this.

I have been blog silent, because I am being novel focused. I'll return to my regularly scheduled (as if they've ever been real regular) posts as soon as my next and final, final draft is done.

Read it and happy writing.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

This is the second time I've heard of this article...maybe I should read it.

(Off to read now!)

Anonymous said...

That's a great article! What a hopeful thing too--to know that we can become whatever we need to be with work. It's comforting. =]

Jessie Oliveros said...

Good advice. I have those insecurities about my writing...that I am just not as innately talented as some writers. I read others' words, and I'm jealous of them and I can't figure out where they picked them from. But I'm willing to put in the sweat to make my own pretty words.