WRITE THE BEST YOU CAN

by Deborah Elliott-Upton

“For a long time now I have tried simply to write the best I can. Sometimes I have good luck and write better than I can.” — Ernest Hemingway

I’m reading a manuscript for a young woman who is writing her first novel. She’s writing it in secret, or rather, she’s keeping the writing secret until it’s finished.

I remember being there, afraid that the words poured onto the page ripped fresh from your soul isn’t as good as you think it is or should be — and yet, you believe in the work, so you allow someone besides you or your closest friend to read it. I remember that feeling because the wrenching in my gut appears on a semi-regular basis. I wanted to tell my young friend only a good writer questions her work. In my experience as a writing instructor, those who never question their abilities are usually wrong.

There’s something to be said about confidence in your writing, but never admitting the work could be improved is a flaw.

Movies about writers are usually entertaining for me and I revel in the insights usually not known in the non-writing world. In “Funny Farm,” Chevy Chase watches while his wife reads his manuscript. He is too expectant of the praises he assumes she will provide. One of the best lines was delivered in perfect deadpan by Chase when he said, “You didn’t laugh.”

I am among one of the few who enjoyed “Ishtar.” My favorite line was, “I’m a writer, too!” I can’t remember if it was Warren Beatty or Dustin Hoffman who said the words. I was literally falling out of my chair when one of them said it. For those who didn’t see the movie, let’s just say that while their characters were pursuing writing careers, neither of them were good writers.

In “Throw Momma From the Train,” characters played by Billy Crystal and Danny DeVito are struggling writers, but at least they recognize the need to hone their skills. My favorite scene is where Momma says, “Sultry. The word is sultry.”

“Finding Forrester,” a serious film, proved it isn’t always a slam dunk from a writer’s first tries to making a mark in the publishing realm. A very worthy film for a burgeoning writer.

It’s been said Truman Capote’s agent came to his home and wrestled a long-overdue manuscript from Capote’s hands. Capote insisted the novel wasn’t good enough.

“When God hands you a gift, he also hands you a whip; and the whip is intended for self-flagellation solely.” — Truman Capote

Every writer probably has a manuscript under his bed that will never see light of its publishing day. There are many other manuscripts out there that shouldn’t have been published, but perhaps this is only my opinion. In the times of self-publishing prices making the process more available, I’m afraid we will see many more manuscripts that needed at minimum more editing.1

“Every artist was first an amateur.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

The young writer is honing her skills. She’s listening to those who have been where she is now and she’s taking advice that is worthy. She is expanding her skills and not ready to rest on laurels she hasn’t earned.

She isn’t ready to hear the words, but I’m saying them now: This work is pure genius. Remind me later to tell you I already told you so.

1. Disclaimer: Some quality work has been self-published. It is just not the majority. [↩]