Hmmmm, a Blog...novel concept? useful tool for grass roots communication? Shameless marketing a self promotion tool? Or tired online cliche for those egocentric few who love to "hear" their own thoughts?
In my case, maybe a little of all of that.
This particular web log, or blog, is devoted exclusively to that past time that seems to soak up all of my free time. It seems to call to me, haunt me and flirt with me only to flitter away seductively when I decide to devote 100% of my attention to it. I am talking, of course, about writing.
I have been writing for almost fifteen years now with varying degress of "success". For some reason it now seems I have decided to share what I have learned and to express my views to the world at large...or at least those happy few who stumble across these ramblings. I would almost say it is part o the old adage that "those who can't do, teach." Then again, I'm not ready to say yet that I "can't do". I expect neither is anyone who happens to be reading this.
I mentioned a moment ago "varying degrees of success" and I can think of nothing better for a writer, or any other artist, to tackle right off the bat. What is Success?
That question, what is success, has been the one question whose answer seems to elude most writers, especially those with few publishing credits to their name. What do we do this for? Why do we write? In most cases, the answer seems obvious...publication. I would submit that it is not that simple. In fact, I would submit that publication is not why we write and it certainly should not be our guiding reason for embarking on this often-thankless "hobby" (I emphasize hobby becasue anyone who has put together novel length fiction, or even a few short stories, will tell you that it is an exhausting hobby that feels a lot like work).
Why do we do it then? We love to tell stories. It is that simple. Oh, there are varying degrees. Maybe we like to have people listen to what we say. Maybe we want to be famous. Maybe we want to be rich. (If your goals are those last to, then abandon writing...go into real estate or something).
The real goal...the real success...has to be self-defined. Writers have to first seek out what is going to be their success. For me personally, it is finishing a story, whether that is a short story, novella or novel. I just want to finish it, polish it and see it completed. The finished artwork is my goal and that is my success. Only then would I think about trying to have it published.
Writing is fun. Writing is pure. Writing is art. Once it is published...then it is work. Then it is marketing. Then it is business.
So, for those of you reading this...define what success is to you and seek it out. If that success is only publication or money or fame, it may be a long hard road. If that success is telling a great story, coming to those two magical words (THE END) and saying, "Ahhh, that was a great journey" then I think we migt have something in common and maybe something to talk about. I hope to devote this blog to "The craft" and have it just chock full (yep, I said chock full) of tips, links, articles and stories about writing. It may provide guidance, ideas or info about where and how others go from "feldgling" to "success".
Stop by again...
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