Wednesday, November 24, 2010

a writer gives thanks

A writer gives thanks...

...when the writing is going well. Those days usually come in spurts, and are sporadic.

...when the writing is not going well. That's when we get all our housework done, catch up on correspondence, clean out the closets, and take long walks. And then, in the middle of all that, an idea, an image, or a voice appears.

...when the voices in our heads get louder. It's not a sign of insanity, but rather that it's time to begin a new novel, or story, or play, or film, or essay, or poem.

...when the voices quiet down. That means it's time to sleep. Or revise.

...when we call the work "finished" (even though, in our minds, it's never really finished). Mentally, we may feel like we've just given birth. But we also celebrate as if we've just given birth.

...when our writing goes not into a drawer, but into the hands of a real live reader.

...when a reader lets us know that s/he loves what we've written. Our hour, day, week, month, year is made.

...when a reader lets us know that s/he hates what we've written. We now have the inspiration to write a story about a character who gets a piano dropped on him/her. Or has to sit through a marathon of the worst sitcom episodes ever. Or has to drink that cherry 7-Up. Flat.


And, on a personal note, this writer (yours truly) gives thanks to (and for) all of you who made this year so fantastic. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

5 comments:

Elspeth Futcher said...

Of course I love your penultimate paragraph, because that's just the way my twisted brain thinks!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Elisa..you've certainly enjoyed a tremendous year!

Anne R. Allen said...

I'm with Elspeth on the piano-dropping thing. Hilarious. Yes, we need to be thankful for anger, because that often inspires the best writing.

You sure have had a great year to be thankful for. I'm thankful you've paved the way for a lot of us.

Elisa said...

I'm thankful for YOU, my faithful readers (and especially commenters) Beth and Anne!

:)

Anonymous said...

The Photographer gives thanks to the writer for her inspiration to make the best photo I could for her. Thank you again for using my photo in the new book. http://www.amazon.com/Why-I-Love-Singlehood-ebook/dp/B004BXA3CC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1291036046&sr=8-2

Larry

Guinevere said...

Fun post. Love the flat 7-Up. :)