The end of a year usually leaves me contemplative. And this year is no exception. Recessions, book publishing in crisis, people worried for their jobs, their futures, their writing careers, these are what come to mind when I think back on 2009.
Not a great legacy for a year.
But for me what I want from 2010, is a complete and total return to the joy I once got from watching movies, tv, reading a great book. This year I am going to turn my inner critic off, because I want to watch a movie and experience the sheer rush of exhileration that I got from watching Jaws, or Raiders, for the first time.
As writers we teach ourselves to be critical. How else do we get better, but there has to be way to turn it off. I used to love certain authors, certain books, and re-read them all the time. I can still read the books I loved before I started writing, but rarely feel that way about any I've read since. (I appreciate the artistry and the effort but rarely do I reread a book anymore), and I will recapture that this year. And if I'm lucky, Judith McNaught will publish something magnificent this year.
(Judith, no stress or anything)
And this year, I'm writing just for the joy. I'm writing stories and characters, simply because they fascinate me.
Not the fastest route to publication, but the one that gives me the most joy.
And much more drunk writer talk.
Hello 2010
7 comments:
That's the only reason I write... for the joy (clearly by the subject matters I choose - LOL).
2010 is going to ROCK! I just know it!
To the joy! I hope your year (and mine) is full to the brim with it!
Awesome attitude, Sinead! Happy New Year, everyone!
Happy New Year... I'm loving this new decade. Bring it!
What you said, is what I want to recapture. The joy. Or should I capitalize it. THE JOY. Yeah.
I've said this before and not done it, but I'm going to say again. This year I WILL write one non-contracted book just for me. If it sells, fantastic. If not, I will have had fun writing it. It will be something totally different from what I write now, maybe first person, maybe YA or Fantasy or Historical. I don't know.
Thanks you guys (raises Corona) for your website. I enjoy reading the blogs.
It might take a while before your inner critic agrees to switch off and let you enjoy reading again, but I hope you get there in the end. After my degree I remember I couldn't stop speed reading and it took about three years to really get back into the relaxed reading I'd always enjoyed. Happy New Year to everyone!
Jen
I have officially had too much of my children. Officially. Or maybe it's my husband. Not sure. But right now my house is quiet and I too am trying to figure out how to get back to the joy. I do believe I will start with the new Laura Kinsale. That'll work, for sure.
I handed off my whole JR Ward collection to a friend - so I know she's starting with some joy.
Happy 2010 - more drunk writer talk for everyone!!
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