Hey fellow writers!
First, big congratulations to my dear friend, Merle Saferstein, on the release of her latest book tomorrow, Living and Leaving My Legacy, vol. 2, with a foreword by Sheryl Sandberg. Merle is a fantastic person, and an insightful writer and teacher, who has journaled since the 1970s. This second volume of her two-book set details the power of journaling and shares some beautiful insights and stories. Please support her!
Writing Is Hard Work
I’m in the slog. Finished the messy first draft of my next novel, printed it, spent weeks reading on paper and marking it up with big X’s over the parts to cut entirely, lines through bad sentences, notes in the margins to write better stuff, and specific direction so I know where to take it.
**sigh**
I said to my husband the other night, “I wish I could remember how hard it was to write Woman of Valor. Because it feels right now like this book is going to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
“It took you a long time,” he said. “And you felt exactly like this.”
I smiled at him, wondering whether he was just being the amazing cheerleader that he always is about my writing, or telling the truth. Did he really remember these nitty-gritty struggles? Or was he just trying to big-picture me and encourage me to keep going?
I guess it doesn’t matter. I know where I am. I know where I need to go. I know this business of writing is hard work. And even though I love it when I’m in it, writing a book - a really good book that I can be proud of and excited to share with the world - takes time, patience, attention to detail and a good support system (not just my husband but the incredible writer-friends who have my back - shout-out to CL Walters for the little email pep talk she gave me last week).
Writing is hard. As my mom always says, “If it were easy, everyone would do it.” She usually refers to entrepreneurship, but it also applies to writing a book.
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So what keeps me going? And why should you?
I love to write. And I love the connection with readers.
I love to read. There are so many good books in the world, and I like to add my voice to the options.
I know at any time I can stop writing. No one is waiting for my next book. I can throw in the towel if I want to.
Writing is an act of generosity. I take time and passion and turn it into stories. Those stories make others feel not so alone. Understood. Part of something bigger & meaningful.
When I write, I understand myself better, and the world around me. And that is priceless.
I suppose one day I might give it all up, or write just for enjoyment and not for publication. When I write, it’s for me. It only later becomes consumable.
One of the greatest soccer players of all time, Pele, said, “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all love of what you are doing or learning to do.”
I found this quote when I needed it most. Today.
And I’ll keep it for when it gets hard again. Because it inevitably will.
What has been the hardest writing you’ve ever done? How did you get through? Email me at Lynne@yourppl.com, and I’ll share reader answers in an upcoming newsletter!
You know what I do when I feel frustrated? I take myself for breakfast. The other day, I sat outside on a cool morning, ordered the creamiest quiche with an amazing light salad and an Earl Grey latte (plus a piece of carrot cake to take home), and read. I deserved it. And I came home refreshed and eager to write.
Upcoming on The Make Meaning Podcast
Scotia Road Books episode with Elizabeth Gowing & Merle Saferstein (Scotia Road Books is now open for submissions by women authors over age 40!)
Annie Cathryn, author of The Friendship Breakup: airs this Friday, June 23rd!
Danny Hankner, founder of Story Unlikely, airs July 7th
CL Walters, Hawaii-based prolific author, airs July 21st
Find all episodes at https://makemeaning.org or anywhere you find your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!
Suggest an author or publisher for the Make Meaning Podcast here.
Keep Writing!!
With love, Lynne