I've always envisioned writing a book and having it published. A few years ago I wrote a series of magazine articles for some rather largely distributed martial arts rags and received a lot of positive feedback. Some time back I began work on a humorous memoir of sorts but rethought pursuing publication after getting some constructive criticism, in addition to reading that these types of manuscripts are rarely published and not generally well received. So, for now I've tabled that work and have steered myself down the winding, and somewhat unpredictable road of fiction.
Great writers make writing fiction seem natural. In reality, great writers make writing anything seem natural, and for some I suspect it is. What I've discovered during this process, however, is writing (for me) is work; it's pleasurable work mostly, but it's work nonetheless. My friend, and author, Gary Gabelhouse remarked to me over dinner that writing "is rewriting." How correct he is.
I had no idea how many grammatical and spelling errors I make as I attempt to put thought to keyboard. I'm especially not very careful about what I post on social media, as I usually ramble and throw things out there for effect, not concerning myself with spelling and grammar. But even with that, I still catch myself going back and editing status updates and such just to keep from further embarrassing myself, the content notwithstanding.
For anyone considering writing a manuscript, I encourage it, but let's be honest, most aren't prepared for that level of work, and more importantly, most aren't prepared for negative feedback from those offering to read their work. It's hard to stomach that kind of critique, I promise.
Without giving away anything too detailed about this project I've undertaken, I would like to share a paragraph I recently wrote and allow you, the reader, to offer feedback. I realize there is no perspective or context with which to form an opinion about the work as a whole, and you know nothing about the characters, but I still wanted to share just a little to pique the interest of those who might be interested to read it in its entirety sometime in the future (I hope)......
Some time passed before Buddy spoke again. He weighed his words before speaking then
began, “Billy, a strong distrust of government is a good thing. Hell, that’s what the founders of our country
told us to do; you know, don’t trust 'em.
But walking around being cynical all the time eats at a man’s
heart. Everyone can’t be bad all the
time, Billy. You should think about that
and let the past die and be buried.”
And so onward I push. I want nothing more than to see this work published. My ego and pride want nothing more than to be walking through an airport and see some passenger with his/her nose in my book, enjoying my "work." That, my friends, is the goal; not money or fame....simply seeing and hearing about someone else enjoying that which I've labored to give.
