Inspiration

One thing that aspiring writers hear over and over again is that we must read. Reading is the path to learning to write. By reading we will subconsciously upload the grammar rules, the magic of the fusion of dependent and independent clauses. We will come to understand coordination and sub-ordination; we will absorb the rules of organization and development. We will follow the path set forth by writers who are so very good at what they do that they are published in books that we can grab in our hands, or upload onto our screens.

I don't disagree with this, but I think the reailty goes much farther than that. The less aspiring I become and the more comfortable I am with the writing life, the more I find that reading inspires me. It always feels good to connect to a writer through their art, that is not a new feeling. But to near the end of a book and see visions of my own works swirling between my eyes and the pages in my hands is more powerful a feeling than I might of anticipated had I thought about it.

Feeling inspired at the beginning of a book is nothing particularly new to me. I often make notes about structure or pacing when I am on the first dive into a new book. The inspiration and effort ultimately wanes as I become more immersed in the pages, my notes set aside and my mind wrapped fully within the prose. But later, when I am nearing the end, reading so quickly because I am anxious for each word, then re-reading because I don't want to miss anything (and more importantly don't really want the book to end), I am finding that I am filled with a new kind of inspiration that verges on overwhelming. I feel my own stories are connected to the words of another in a different way than I had been led to believe.

And I like it.

:-)

Revision Update

I did hear back from the editor. She would love to have me send her a revision of my earlier submission. Now the questions. What does it need? What can I do to strengthen it, update it, make it better? Suddenly I see the value in having a schedule that regularly allows me to write so that I can keep current within a writing group. Harumph.

To Revise or Not To Revise

Well over a year ago I submitted a (hastily written but well proof-read) essay to be considered in an anthology. This week I heard from the editor with an update about the glitches she has encountered in trying to complete the project and get in published. The gist of the email was, if this is taking too long for you, let me know and I'll pull your submission out of the pile.

My attitude is not that this is taking too long, the piece was written specifically for her anthology, but that what I really need to do is a complete rewrite. Now, my piece may be in her pile of rejections already; I do believe that the email was simply a courtesy at large, not meant just for folks she was considering including. I wrote her back and gave her the out of rejecting the essay outright, or leaving it all alone for now, or letting me do a rewrite. Not sure when or if I will get a reply, but having the information certainly makes it easier for me to let it go in general for now.

Even if it does desperately need to be rewritten.

*sigh*