Enjoying It
The title of this post isn't meant to be particularly provocative, although perhaps it sounds like it, but something hit me today--and it's not the first time I've thought this, although it always feels like the first time, but... why write if I don't enjoy it?!Now, hold on, I DO enjoy it. I love the thrill of a new idea, the energy of words flowing onto the page, the awe and joy of typing THE END and then, admittedly about a year later, seeing the book in my hands. It's all wonderful, and what's not to enjoy?
Well... hold on again. I am not going to complain. This is not a rant. This is me telling myself to slow down and breathe and savor what I am doing. I think this happens to writers all over the spectrum, no matter what you write or if you're published or if you're a New York Times' bestseller or if you're... well, not. We all get bogged down by the days when the words aren't flowing, when you obsess about whether your books will sell or people will enjoy or even read them, and what happens if reality television takes over the world and no one reads anymore (am I the only who envisions a dystopian future of nonreaders?) And writing starts to feel if not an actual chore, than something fairly laborious. And I hate that, because if I wanted to do chores, I'd wash my kitchen floor and have something to show for it--well, for about five minutes before my children make a mess of it again (Note: Do not rent an apartment with white tile flooring in the kitchen).
So how do you capture the joy and wonder and excitement of writing again? Well, I do a couple of different things. I take a break--not too long a break, but enough that coming back to the computer feels refreshing and necessary. I take walks by myself, without strollers or children or errands to be done. I read. I read books that I've read before and loved, and new books that have been burning up on my nook. I read things I've written myself that I really like. I start working on my current manuscript and write for at least twenty minutes without self-editing, revising, or even rereading what I've wrote, James Joyce style.
And most of all? I remind myself that even if I wasn't getting published or paid, I'd STILL be doing this. Writing this. Because I love it. And then I write from that place.
To celebrate all that I enjoy about writing, I'm giving away ONE copy of my latest UK release, Mr and Mischief, to someone who comments or shoots me an email at katehewitt@kate-hewitt.com. I'd like to give the book away to someone who has never received a free book from me before, or better yet, who has never read one of my books (Wait... does that person exist?! Ha--most assuredly!) So drop me a line and I'll pick a random winner and in the meantime... ENJOY!
Labels: mr and mischief, writing craft, writing life
posted by Kate Hewitt at
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Hi Kate,
Thank you for a lovely post I loved it! Thank you for a really nice giveaway and thank you for the chance to win I would be honored to win and to be able to say I own a signed copy of your brilliant work.
I have read your books but all through the library adn I adored them all Mr and Mischief sounds like another winner so I would truly be honored to win.
I have never won a book from you so it would make my year!
Take care
Desere
Well, I've certainly read more than one of your books but I've paid for them all! I've been putting off getting Mr and Mischief from the M&B site because I'm trying to only buy Kindle books at the moment, but freebies don't count. ;)
Hi Kate!
I have read Count Toussaint's Baby and The Sheikh's Forbidden Virgin. They were both wonderful stories. Zoe and the Tormented Tycoon is in my TBR pile but I am saving it to read when I have all the Balfour Brides books. Zoe and Max sound like complex characters and I love the pretty cover!
I would love the opportunity to read Mr. and Mischief instead of having to wait for it to hit bookshelves here in September :)
Kate, this is an awesome post! I love it. Brilliant reminders. If I wasn't paid to do this...I would still do it.