Not long ago, after months of what it must feel like to push a river upstream, I determined (with the generous comments from members of my writing group), that the structure I had been writing to wasn’t working for the story I wanted to tell. Square peg/round hole and all that.
So I chucked what might have been the first third of my book to start over, writing to a new structure which seems to fit the story better. At least so far. Just a month or so into the revision, it feels better. More flow-y, to continue the river metaphor.
It’s easy to get discouraged after what might be called failures, or, at the very least, set-backs in writing and it helps knowing we all experience them. Fortunately I have a whole shelf-full of cheerleaders and supporters who hang out around my writing table—books by other writers who tell their stories of love and luck and loss and bumps in the road and dead ends and never mind, just keep after it. That’s what writers do.
My cheer-er along-er during this particularly rough stretch was Dinty W. Moore, whose book, the mindful writer, was my then-current morning companion. Each morning, I’d light my candle, pour my first coffee, and read a short passage as I entered into the day’s writing.
His book, a gift from my friend and writing pal, June Cressy, is a small, but powerful little book of brief quotes, followed by words of wisdom from someone who’s been there. One particular day during the “oh, no!” phase of realization that some serious re-visioning had to be done on my memoir, I read this:
#43, which began with this quote by Philip Roth:
My page one can end up a year later as page two hundred, if it’s even still around.
“There was a book I wrote once—actually, I wrote it twice,” Moore began, “two radically different versions, each revised numerous times. I put four years of my writing life into that book, churned out about 1,200 pages between the two versions—and the book never saw the light of day, except for a very small portion, an excerpt that I eventually published as an eight-page essay.
“Wow, four years and 360,000 words, and that’s all I ended up with?
“Eight pages.
“Yes, It happens sometimes.” …
“The process of writing a book can easily entail a hundred pages of false starts, superfluous scenes, exploratory passages that were necessary for the writer to have written but not necessarily for the reader to read in the end,” he continued.
There’s more to this entry and much more wisdom and good advice and humor throughout the little book, but on this day, these few paragraphs were just what I needed to straighten myself up and get back to the work.
I recommend Moore’s book, especially for the kind of quick hits of encouragement and advice that can strike the right note at just the right time. I also recommend keeping a ready supply of books by those who have gone before and are generous enough to share their journeys with us. I have shelves filled to sagging with them.
Do you have favorite books by writers or other artists who have helped you along the way?
” I’m glad I like language and the challenge to come up with the right word, the image that says what I want to say,….”
This brought to mind words of Mark Twain: “The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter–it’s the difference between the lightening bug and the lightening.”
So very much enjoyed reading everyone’s thoughts about writing and books about writing. My list would include many that are mentioned,
Hi Mary Ann, thanks for reminding us of the Mark Twain quote. I just quoted it again myself in a workshop yesterday. It gets an applause every time and always reminds me again and again. I think it’s permanently tattooed on my brain.
Dani Shapiro’s “Still Writing” is a favorite of mine lately. I love that she admits (over and over again) how hard writing is; I don’t feel so alone.
Two quotes from this book:
“Start writing, grow still and quiet, press toward that strong emotion and you will discover it anew.”
“It’s not about sharing the work, but about creating a connection.”
Thank you, Colleen for reminding me of Dani Shapiro’s book. I love this one, too. I read it as my morning book some time ago. I like reading books like this as my morning reading before I write. They serve as a kind of centering and quieting, meditation and inspiration.
So much about Dani Shapiro’s writing and advice I love. She’s a teacher I’d like to study with in-person.
xo
Judy
Just this morning I recommended “A Writer’s Book of Days” to a book group of seniors interested in starting to write.
Thank you, Jill. Hope the book serves their stories.
Hi Judy, I’ve followed your news letter for awhile and always come away with a positive thought. Today, I immediately took Dinty Moore’s book from my shelf and will re-read page 43. Thanks for the encouragement . Nathalie
Dear Nathalie,
Thanks so much for writing. I love that little Dinty W. Moore book and found much inspiration and encouragement within the few pages. I expect it will be one of those I go back to again and again.
best,
Judy
Interesting thoughts Judy…
Picasso once said that the blue paint that be scrapped off ( didn’t use ) on one painting did, apparently, show up at a later date on another painting – the blue was simply ‘waiting’ for the right painting to show up so it could express itself more fully. Is writing any different?
PS… No, this wasn’t, to my knowledge his ‘Blue Period‘ LOL
Favorite writing books?
I’m scribbling this down on my laptop, whilst on holiday in Crete – so do not have access to my many books….
Christina Baldwin
Life’s Companion: Journal Writing as a Spiritual Practice
Gail Sher
One Continuous Mistake
The Intuitive Writer
Julia Cameron
The Right to Write
The Sound of Paper
The Artist’s Way
The Vein of Gold
Bonni Goldberg
Room to Write
Natalie Goldberg
Writing Down the Bones
And finally, I seem to remember just two other books that I have treasured ever since I first read them. I’m not certain if you know these Judy, although I understand that they were very popular indeed…
Erm,
I think her name was Judy Reeves and the books were entitled:
A Writer’s Book of Days
Writing Alone, Writing Together
Best Wishes
Michael
Hi Michael,
Our bookshelves look exactly alike! The writers and their books that you list are some of my favorites, too. (PS I’m honored that my books are on your shelves along with these writers). Lucky you, in Crete. I was there a couple of years ago and loved wandering around the old town… all those cats! and of course, the beaches. Enjoy your holiday. Let me know if you find a good bookstore there.
all best,
Judy
My biggest inspiration to write was your book “A Writer’s Book of Days.” I used to write stories as a kid and stopped while raising my four children. I bought your book but it stayed on my shelf for a few years until we moved from North Carolina to San Diego for my husband’s temporary job. Once in San Diego, I found you and the Brown Bag group.
I was not in the group very long as we moved back to NC but you were my spark that started me writing again after all those years. I had lost my 18 year old daughter a few years before meeting you, and it seemed most of my prompts ended up being about her.
Back in NC I found a writing group of bereaved mothers. Eventually our writings became a book “Farther Along, The Writing Journey of Thirteen Bereaved Mothers” by Carol Henderson, our leader.
It has been more than 17 years since I wrote with you, Judy. But I always hold a special place in my heart for you. You were at the starting gate. Thank you.
Dear Peggy,
What a delight to hear from you after all these years. Your story about the group you found in NC of bereaved mothers and how your stories became a collection is heartwarming. I’m sure your stories helped others who have experienced the same tragic loss.
I’m beyond delighted that my book and I have been part of your writing journey. Thank you.
best,
Judy
Judy,
Thank you for this post and your honesty during the process of writing your memoir. I recently starting reading “Writing Alone and With Others” by Pat Schneider after you recommended it. I’m hoping it will inspire me to write.
Arlene Kosakoff
Hi Arlene,
Thanks for your note. I hope you find the same inspiration in Pat Schneider’s books that I have found. She’s a wonder. Good luck!
xo
Judy
Hey Judy,
“Do you have favorite books by writers or other artists who have helped you along the way?”
Yes ma’am and that for the most part be you.
I see how I used to give up too easily, thinking it should be perfect on the first draft and then being too impatient to work on it. Somehow I thought you are supposed to work writing like you paint a house or fix your car: do it, get it done, go to the next job.
Life doesn’t work like that either.
And so writing follows me through the decades and watches me grow up.
Hi Linda,
Oh those rude awakenings. What is it they tell us: 20% writing; 80% revising. And that’s on a good day. I’m glad I like language and the challenge to come up with the right word, the image that says what I want to say, the metaphor dresses it up… I love all that.
Thanks for sharing. I’m glad you just kept after it.
xo
Judy