There are a million and one discouraging factors when it comes to writing. There are rules and guidelines on everything, from plotting and characters to exclamation marks and antecedents. How can a writer ever get it all right? Let me try and be the one to encourage you:
One of my favorite writing quotes of all time is by Elmore Leonard, "I try to leave out the parts that people skip."
Another one is by Nathaniel Hawthorne, "Easy reading is damn hard writing."
Another still, "Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass." Anton Chekhov.
There are so many great quotes, books, sayings, and blogs out there on the subject of writing but when it comes down to it, it's just YOU and your book, (or short story, essay, memoir, etc.). Writing is a craft and a skill and anyone who writes probably knows that reading is the best form of learning how to perfect your craft.
Did you know:
*Dr. Seuss was rejected by 27 publishers before his first book was accepted.
*Harry Potter was rejected by dozens of publishers before its big debut.
*Madeleine L'Engle's A WRINKLE IN TIME was rejected by 26 publishers.
*Judy Bloom started out by seeing nothing but rejections for two years.
*GONE WITH THE WIND was rejected 38 times before it was published.
Some of the greatest writing in history was rejected over and over and over again. So here is my TidBit for tonight: If you are a writer, write without holding anything back. If you follow all the rules, you will be left with nothing original. Be great at being you because its your voice, your character, your personality and spirit that may be the next bestseller or perhaps, even, the greatest writing of all time.
