Well, another week has come and gone. Time has a funny way of passing. Some days seem to drag on and on, though that is mostly when you are engaged in doing something you aren’t that interested in. Most of my days seem to pass in a blur. I get up in the mornings full of plans and before I know it, it’s time to make dinner. Where did the day go?
I am pleased that I met my day t0 day writing goals last week. Aurora is warming up to telling me her story again, little by little. It’s just that sometimes it takes me a bit longer than she’d like to get it down right. She’s in a bit of a complicated emotional state at present and capturing that in just the right way on paper can be a little tricky. Or maybe that’s just me?
I feel like I spend a lot of time apologizing and explaining why it is that I write so slowly. So many of my peers seem to really zip along and by their own reports they turn out in a day what takes me a couple of weeks to produce. For a while I wondered what was wrong with me that I couldn’t quite write my stories in the same way. Was I less dedicated? More easily distracted?
Then, as I was cruising around the internet this week I happened upon Susan Elizabeth Phillip’s website and checked out her FAQ link. The usual question “how long does it take you to write a book?” was there. Her answer? TWO YEARS. She admits to being something of a slow writer as well but I don’t suppose many of her fans complain about the end product (though perhaps they wish there was more of it!!)
Seeing that made me feel better about my own writing habits. Yes, I probably could push myself to write more, faster – but I suspect the result would be a lot more re-writes and editing.
And besides, if I can go on as I am and in any way claim to be in a league with a writer like Susan Elizabeth Phillips then I’m going to do it – even if it is only because we both take a long time to tell our stories!
Everyone writes in their own time. Everyone has different commitments. Everyone has different things that claim their time. Some have spouses–others don’t. Some have full-time jobs–others don’t. Some have a house full of children–others don’t. Some have all of the above. Time isn’t something that can be stretched to fit our needs and wants. Mostly, we have to squeeze in that time to write where we can. You’re doing just fine.
by anny cook September 17th, 2007 at 3:35 amI write really slowly, too, Jenyfer. You’re not alone! I take a lot of time to craft and get things down the way I want them the first time through–maybe those speedy writers do that bit later.
Anyway, you’re not alone!
by elissa September 18th, 2007 at 11:22 pmThanks for understanding – because I don’t think things are going to change anytime soon! LOL
by Jenyfer Matthews September 19th, 2007 at 12:09 pm