Writing is my passion. I love it. Every aspect of it...the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and more, drafts, the editing, editing, editing. I'm also okay when my readers say, 'Well, actually...' and I know it will be followed by a negative comment. Which is why I ask them to read my manuscript, right? So. It's all good.
I've just completed my eighth book; six are self-published, one is buried under the patio, hopefully never to be seen again, and my eighth is with agents. So...here comes number nine.
Well, not quite. It's taken me three months to get the first page down of the first draft. I just could not decide how I wanted it to begin. I changed my mind so many times, even comforting myself with the saying, 'A person has the right to change his/her mind', began to sound lame. Should I write in the first or third person; at what point should it start; should it be retrospective or should it be in real time. Phew! Conundrums aplenty.
So...I knitted five dolls, one each for my grandkids, cleaned the oven to within an inch of its life, four times, started a new business, helped my husband with his, and wrote up assignments for a student (with editing). Anything, anything, as an excuse.
Then it came to me. A lightbulb moment. The one I'd been waiting for. So I made myself comfortable with my laptop and wrote the first page. And now I have a smile on my face. And I learnt something. The passion never goes. Not if it's really meant for you, no matter what your passion is. I'm glad I waited because the beginning is just what I was looking for. With each doll I knitted, and each corner of the house I swept, it was always on my mind, because writing is a huge part of who I am and I'm so proud it is. I wouldn't be who I am without it, and it's got me through some very difficult moments. Lesson learnt.
Don't give up on your passion. Because no matter how difficult the going may seem, your passion and determination will help you win through in the end.
PS. Even though I'm rather tardy with this blog, I'm almost at 20,000 visits. Thank you for visiting. I hope we see each other again.
I've just completed my eighth book; six are self-published, one is buried under the patio, hopefully never to be seen again, and my eighth is with agents. So...here comes number nine.
Well, not quite. It's taken me three months to get the first page down of the first draft. I just could not decide how I wanted it to begin. I changed my mind so many times, even comforting myself with the saying, 'A person has the right to change his/her mind', began to sound lame. Should I write in the first or third person; at what point should it start; should it be retrospective or should it be in real time. Phew! Conundrums aplenty.
So...I knitted five dolls, one each for my grandkids, cleaned the oven to within an inch of its life, four times, started a new business, helped my husband with his, and wrote up assignments for a student (with editing). Anything, anything, as an excuse.
Then it came to me. A lightbulb moment. The one I'd been waiting for. So I made myself comfortable with my laptop and wrote the first page. And now I have a smile on my face. And I learnt something. The passion never goes. Not if it's really meant for you, no matter what your passion is. I'm glad I waited because the beginning is just what I was looking for. With each doll I knitted, and each corner of the house I swept, it was always on my mind, because writing is a huge part of who I am and I'm so proud it is. I wouldn't be who I am without it, and it's got me through some very difficult moments. Lesson learnt.
Don't give up on your passion. Because no matter how difficult the going may seem, your passion and determination will help you win through in the end.
Lots of love,
Valentina.
PS. Even though I'm rather tardy with this blog, I'm almost at 20,000 visits. Thank you for visiting. I hope we see each other again.
