“Nobody Asked You to Write this Novel.”

I read the above words in the New York Times Book Review today (early email of Sunday’s edition). Jane Smiley said that her friend taped “Nobody asked you to write this novel” above her desk. I’m sure I have said this or something like it, and while it is no doubt true, it still sounds a bit punitive to me. Would anyone say, "no one needs another painting, or no one needs another symphony or no one needs another beautiful building?" Smiley also said in the same article, "What we do as writers is voluntary, so don't complain." True enough, but it may be easier for her to say it than it is for a writer who does not have her fame, money, literary cred, or status on the bestseller list. She goes on to write that when she saw Balzac's manuscripts for the first time, it was a revelation. She could see how hard he worked, how hard writers must toil to produce superior work. I think Smiley’s inference is that writing, like growing old, is not for sissies.

I try not to complain too much about writing. Whether my work is good or bad that day, it gives me purpose in, I imagine, the same way faith offers meaning to those who are spiritually inclined. Writing is my practice. It gives me something to do every day that I feel is worthwhile whether or not anyone has asked me to write or not. And no matter what I write, the days I write are better than the ones when I don't.

In my editing business, I am always looking for the buried treasure at the heart of a client’s piece. I try to help the author unearth it. I can tell you one thing I never say – I never say: quit your bitchin'; no one ever asked you to write a book in the first place.

Perhaps the world does need another book. Maybe it needs your book. Maybe the reason you want to write is because what you have to offer will enrich society the way any piece of art can. Has anyone ever said, "No one needs another work by Mozart. No one needs another work by Rembrandt. No one needs another piece choreographed by Twyla Tharp."

Maybe someone has said, "No one needs another book by Jane Smiley," but I doubt it, even though I was ready to say it after trying to read TEN DAYS IN THE HILLS.

No one asked you to write a novel but why not act as if someone did.   

Free to Be Bold

Today I wanted to keep on going with my writing after my requisite word count. I discovered that sometimes even doing 1,500 words is like breaking sticks. There were days in the past when I did much more, but in those days, I wasn’t doing this exercise – therefore, I wasn’t counting. I don't know if any of what I’m writing now is any good, but I'm letting myself go, creating characters so heinous that you can't help but laugh at them.

I am not being careful about anything I'm writing. I'm not trying to make it good -- I was going to write especially good, but I took out the modifier. Taking out the word really every time I'm tempted to use it seems (is) (is or seems – you be the judge) the best thing I can manage on a first draft without over-editing myself. By axing words like seems upfront, I am becoming more sure-footed as I go along.

 

This is fiction -- so why do I ever have to use the word seems? It either is or it isn't.

Be free to be bold.