Thursday, August 23: Femme Fatale
DRIVE
by Deborah Elliott-Upton
My dad has been racing since he was 17 years old. He is now 74 and the oldest driver at the dirt track in my home town. A news reporter asked when he would quit and he said, “Probably when I’m dead.†I understand that drive (pun intended.)
I started attending a formal Bible study in 2000. A friend asked, “When will you be done?â€
“It’s a seven year commitment,†I answered. In fact, seven years later I haven’t ended Bible studies, just that particular Bible study.
When my mom phones, she always asks, “What are you doing?†My answer is usually, “Writing.†One day she countered with, “Still?â€
It was funny to her, but I didn’t laugh. Writing is a serious business, even if you’re writing comedy – maybe especially when you’re writing comedy.
It’s odd the assumptions non-writing people make. When I finished my first novel, a lot of people were upset they couldn’t find it in the book stores. If only finishing a book automatically meant it was published. Arguably, with some writers, that is a given, but I doubt most started their writing careers that way.
Rejection in any form is not pleasant, but when your work is rejected – repeatedly – how many would continue in that profession? Writing, like any art form, is the exception. Why do we keep writing? The answer is: we are addicted. We would not stop writing even if we knew no one but ourselves would ever read our work, much less pay the bills. That is a really serious addiction.
The first year I seriously began writing with an idea for profit, I worried about the reams of paper, the legions of ink cartridges and enormous amount of rejections piling up. Conferences, contest fees and book purchases began to expand my budget into an uncomfortable bulge. When I mentioned my concerns to my loving husband, he hugged me close and said, “Don’t worry about it, honey. It’s nothing like when you tried ceramics.â€
Trying to keep your family and friends hopeful for your writing success when you have nothing to show for it except receipts and rejections is difficult. Only the truly addicted will continue.
So many writers – some wonderfully talented – have asked me if they should quit writing after a certain amount of time with no sales. I always give the same answer: If you can, do. If you can’t, you were meant to write.
Yes, it’d be nice if we all sold whatever we wrote. It’d be nice if everyone loved our work and showered us with accolades. But, in truth, it isn’t the money or the accolades or the fame that keeps us writing. It’s the drive.
I inherited more than a lead foot from my dad. I imagine I’ll still be writing when I’m 74. I don’t know how to stop.
If you can, do. If you can’t, you were meant to write.
I think that one bit of advice sums it up. I can’t imagine quitting. I get irritated when too many of life’s roadblocks prevent me from writing.
Another great post that says a lot of what it means to be a writer, and have that drive in you blood.
I’m glad I didn’t give up, much thanks to writer friends as yourself. Great article.
Sometimes it’s hard to perservere when the people around you don’t understand. That’s why we need writer’s sites like these – to keep us motivated!! :]]
While it is gratifying to know that aspiring writers take heart from Criminal Brief, this site was really conceived as aimed at readers of short mystery fiction. (Along those same lines, the best advice I have for any aspiring writer is to read at least four times as much as you write.)
As far as authorial perseverance goes, I think that any one who feels that continuing to write is a painful struggle ought not to continue. Either you like to tell stories, or you don’t, and as long as you do, you will. When there is no pleasure in spinning tales for their own sake, irrespective of professional sales or audience acclaim or familial sympathy or any other consideration, it’s high time to turn to something else to afford you joy.
Long before I was a writer, I was a reader and I always read the Editor’s notes, etc., in magazines. I enjoy reading what keeps people doing what they want to do, especially if they’re not being cheered on by their friends. “Drive” is about any occupation or hobby your heart desires. That includes reading.
How timely, Debbie!
I have been wondering if I could somehow “lose” the desire to write – too many rejections – too many distractions – I love how you answer the question of quitting, “If you can, do. If you can’t, you were meant to write.” I write because I can’t “not” write, but I surely will be glad when the day comes that I can share the words with a few more people!
You are always a help – always encouraging – and always right to the point!
Thank you.