The Citadel of Dreams
“When you start, the world of publishing seems like a great cathedral citadel of talent, resisting attempts to let you inside. It isn’t like that at all… there’s a great, empty warehouse out there looking for simple talent.”
Alan Garner
When you start out on the writer’s journey the citadel seems daunting indeed. The path to the front door is hard, long and twisted. It may even be overgrown with thorns and weeds in places. Finally you reach the main – the only – door. It appears heavy, solid and securely locked. The windows are too high to climb through. There is no-one there to open for you. You keep knocking; hollow echoes within are the only result.
You sit down on a nearby rock. Should you return home? The only path open seems to be to go back and pick up the pieces of your old profession. As your sinking heart realises this unpalateable truth, you reach into your bag and fondle the bundle of paper sheets. Your much loved, carefully crafted poems, those stories born from your innermost passions, that novel chiselled out of life’s hardships; are they just items destined to be dust gatherers?
Underneath the many papers you find, at the very bottom of your travel bag, a long forgotten book. Torn, dirty pages and a tattered cover. Loose leaves, food and drink stains and the odd crumb. The title is faded but you know what it says: “The Citadel of Dreams: how to become a writer.”
This much loved book was your constant companion for many years as you honed your craft. You followed the instructions to the letter. Strange then that, as you turn the pages, you realise that you had neglected the final pages. As you read the final paragraphs you are aware that you haven’t completely followed the last instruction:
“Persevere: even the strongest door eventually gives way to those who keep on knocking.”
You turn again to that rock solid door… and knock.
And that mighty door swings gently on its hinges… and you enter.
Just a thought
“Be yourself… no-one else is better qualified.”
Frank J. Giblin II
Writing courses, books and the speakers at writers’ workshops and seminars often promote the idea of “finding your voice”. What exactly does that mean? How do you find your voice through your writing?
I believe that it comes in two ways:
- Frequent and constant practice in the art of writing.
- Being yourself, that is, letting the “real you” speak.
There is no substitute for frequent, daily if possible, writing practice. Write, write, write – anything, everything and with great enthusiasm and passion until writing becomes second nature, it becomes a part of you.
I read many years ago about a young writer approached Ray Bradbury (I think – it might have been Asimov) and asked for advice about becoming a writer. His reply, “Go and write a million words, and then we’ll talk about how to be a writer.” His point; practise writing – write, write, write – and then you’ll be ready to be a writer.
New writers expect instant success. You have to do the hard yards first. An athlete doesn’t expect an Olympic Gold Medal the first time he pulls on the running shoes, so why do writers expect their first piece of writing to be a blockbuster?
As you write, write, write you will develop a writing style that is just you. Nobody else can write just like you. That’s your voice. Don’t pretend to be anyone else. It will sound false and it will certainly turn off your readers. On occasions, I have tried to write in a certain style copying writers I admire. It doesn’t work. It sounded pretentious, insincere and downright stupid.
Be yourself – and you will find your writer’s voice.
Oh – by the way – I’m well on my way to completing my second million words!
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This one is from another blog called Books and Writing:
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Just a thought
“I would be unstoppable – if I could just get started.”
I’m having a terrible day.
I feel foul.
Tired, lethargic, irritable, unable to concentrate, nauseous – and they are my good points. Procrastination has me beaten. I’ve written very little today. Even decided to have a half hour nap – that lasted ninety minutes – and I still feel terrible.
You get that. Especially in the early stages of dealing with diabetes. I was diagnosed a few months ago. My readings have been progressively dropping since a doubling of the medication a few weeks ago, but today they have skyrocketed and for no apparent reason. Nothing has changed. Nothing I can put my finger on.
There are times in every writer’s life that bleak, desert times of non-productivity occur. I have them from time to time. Some experience the dreaded “writer’s block”, others from severe depression or some other malady. Not pleasant, not useful and certainly not happy times.
Procrastination is another monster. I’ve written about that and similar problems here and here. Maintaining a regular rhythm and momentum as a writer is important but there are times when you need “time out” to recharge the batteries. I had one of those days yesterday. I thought the relaxation would be just what I needed after a very busy full-on and productive week. I was wrong and the frustrating thing is that I don’t know why today has been so bad.
I should be relieved that I at least finished writing this article, even if a few other things didn’t get done.
There’s always tomorrow.
And then, when I do get started, I might well be quite unstoppable.
I live in hope.
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Just a Thought
“Smile first thing in the morning. Get it over with.” W.C. Fields.
Far too many people take life too seriously. Why – some of them look as if they are suffering permanently from constipation, just to look at their faces.
Smile – and the world smiles with you as the saying goes. In this world of gloom and doom and rush and hurry, take time not only to smell the roses (they are just starting to bloom again in Australia) but light up the day of someone else and smile.
Here are some other quotes about smiling:
“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.” Phyllis Diller.
“Life is short, but a smile takes barely a second.” Cuban proverb.
“Smile; it’s the second best thing you can do with your lips.” Unknown source.
Life is not meant to be easy
9 Comments »5th October, 2006; Category: Quotes
Quotes can be infuriating at times. Someone comes up with a quote, and then you think – that’s not quite right. And then you wonder who said it originally and what is the exact wording.
That happened in our Bible Study group earlier this week. Someone said that “life wasn’t meant to be easy.” One of our participants M gave a much longer version none of us had previously heard, but it sounded great. I reached for an old version of the Dictionary of Quotations but it wasn’t there. So out came the laptop and I Googled the phrase.
The most common reference to this quote was to former Prime Minister of Australia. Malcolm Fraser who uttered the words, “Life wasn’t meant to be easy” in the Australian Parliament many years ago. This has been quoted on numerous occasions and in many different contexts since. Still – it was not the exact quote M had used.
I finally tracked down its source. Here is the full, and correct, quote:
“Life is not meant to be easy, my child; but take courage: it can be delightful.”
George Bernard Shaw – English Playwright [sic], 1856-1950
Correction: As Hector has pointed out in the comments below this article, Shaw was, in fact, Irish. Most of his life he was based in England.
For more details check out:
- George Bernard Shaw – Wikipedia article.
So there you go.
Curiosity satisfied.