Some thoughts about writing and tanks
New rainwater tank
We recently had a new rainwater tank installed at our home. It’s been on order for some time but that’s another story. Now we have to wait for some rain to fill it up. It seems that most of the winter rains have already been – and gone. I can see that we might have a long wait before the tank is filled up to the top. If we get good spring rainfall that might happen, but from now until April next year there is no guarantee of much rain. South Australia is a very dry place and we’ve been on water restrictions now for some years.
What has this got to do with writing?
Nothing.
And everything! I taught me a few principles about life – and writing.
Patience
We had to wait a long time for the tank to be delivered – more than just a few months. It was over a year. Writing can be a lot like that. From the first spark of an idea to seeing a piece of writing in print can take many months – and sometimes years. A friend of mine recently had a book published – after 27 years of trying! That’s patience. As a writer I need to persevere and learn a new meaning of patience.
Glass half full
Most of you know about the glass half full versus it half empty. Let me adapt that a little: what about a tank half full? Just a tad more water involved! I’m optimistic. I’m sure we are going to get rain soon and that it fills the tank. No amount of hoping will make it rain, however. In the meantime, I am content with the small amount of water we have. The filling will come later.
I have to take the same attitude with my writing. No amount of hoping or wishing will get my novel or story published. Sure, I have to search out the publisher who wants to run with it, but the ultimate decision is not mine to make. I have to do my part first, preparing the manuscript until it is the very best it can be, ready to catch the attention of an editor. I’ve done my part with the roof, gutters, downpipes and tank, and when that shower comes I’ll catch the water. With my manuscript I’ve researched, written, rewritten, edited, proofread and done it all again, so that when the offer comes from the publisher I’m ready. My glass/tank is almost full, and my manuscript is almost ready to be accepted.
Update: September 4th: over the last 24 hours we’ve had 40mm of rain. The tanks are almost full!
New rainwater tank
A good writing day
I’m having a good writing day.
1500 words so far – and the day is only half over!
The last few days (and weeks) have been frustrating. Health issues, appointments, responsibilities outside of my writing life and life in general have all conspired to limit the amount of progress I’ve made recently, especially with my work in progress, a novel for children.
Today I’ve managed to get a few things taken off my list. I’ve done some essential reading, replied to some urgent emails, responded to comments here and on my other blogs and written long entry in my journal. All good progress.
The writing life is like that. Some days it feels like you can write forever, all the words flow easily and you feel on top of the world – well, your little bit of the world anyway. Then there are those awful days when the wings fall off, you come crashing down to another reality and it’s so hard to take off again. Sigh. Bit like life in general, actually.
I must get back to my novel now.
Good writing.
Walking is an essential writing exercise
I came across an excellent article recently and thought I’d better share it with my readers. It seems that many writers are also walkers. They use taking a walk as an essential part of the writing process. I’ve been advocating this from time to time on this site, especially in those times when you seem not to be making progress with a piece of writing.
The article “On walking and writing” is well worth reading.
Then go out and take a walk.
I would – but I’m writing this post late at night!
Good writing – and walking.
Submitting to publishers
I subscribe to a number of newsletters about writing via email. I don’t always get to read every one of them, but I try to at least glance through most of them. Some are better than others, of course.
I’ve just read one that comes from a writer who lives here in South Australia. His newsletters are always worth reading – every word. In this week’s newsletter he mentions that he checked his submissions spreadsheet only to realise that he was well behind in his goal of 100 rejections. He chastised himself publicly, adding that if his writing was not out there doing the rounds of the publishers, how could he expect to get published. Good point, one I need to take serious note of as it’s been a while since I last submitted anything.
What he meant by his requisite 100 rejections he didn’t explain. Did he mean total rejections, rejections this year or what? It doesn’t really matter. The thrust of many of his newsletters is to encourage his readers to write, write, write and then submit, submit, submit. His theory – and it’s a good one – is that the more you write the better you get at this game. I agree.
The second part of his writing theory is that the more you write, the more material you have to submit to publishers. And the more you submit, the better your chances of being published become. The flip side is: if you submit nothing, that’s exactly how much you’ll get published.
Good writing – and don’t forget to submit something this week!
I am writing a book
A recently over heard conversation went as follows:
“I am writing a book. I’ve made a great start: I’ve numbered all the pages.”
Consider the following:
- Countless people say they are going to write a book.
- Only a few ever begin the actual writing.
- If you have started writing a book you are in rare company.
- If you have actually finished writing your book you are in elite company.
- If you have rewritten and edited your book you are almost unique.
- If you have submitted to a publisher a well written, well edited and professionally presented manuscript, you are very special.
Don’t just say you are going to write that book.
Just get on with it.
Good writing.