I was reading Murakami's essays on the train to work today and he said something similar about writing the book you want to write: "Since I became a writer, though, and started regularly publishing books, there is one lesson I've learned. Which is that no matter what or how I write, somebody's going to say something bad about it.... It's easy to criticize - all you have to do is say what you're thinking, and you don't have to take any responsibility for anything. For the person who's being criticized, though, if he takes each and every criticism seriously he'll never survive. So I've concluded, 'Whatever. If people are going to say terrible things, then I'm just going to write what I want to write, in the way I want to write it.'/Rick Nelson had a song late in his career called 'Garden Party.' The lyrics included the following: 'See, you can't please everyone/So you got to please yourself.'/I know exactly how he feels. It's impossible to please everyone, and all you end up doing is spinning your wheels and wearing yourself out. In that case it's better to stand up for yourself and do what makes you happy, what you really want to do, the way you want to do it. Do that, and even if your reputation isn't so great, if your books don't sell well, you can tell yourself, 'It's okay. At least I enjoyed myself.' You'll be convinced it was all worthwhile." from "Who Do I Write For?" from NOVELIST AS A VOCATION
Kate, you wrote: "don't say self-publish after today; you will be an independent publisher."
I love that. Changes my whole perspective on not finding a traditional publisher, and not paying $3000+ to a "self-publishing" company.
So I'll just be an "independent publisher" and hope that people will find and enjoy something I spent two years researching and writing - just because I wanted to.
I have the same feeling as you, and I absolutely agree with you. I think that realization that came to you comes at a conscious age, when you have baggage of experience to refer to in order to draw a conclusion like you did. Thank you for giving me something to think about.
The ‘shoulds’ are powerful! It can feel so challenging, wrong and even unsafe to not do what you think you should, what’s expected, and instead do fear you want. Women certainly are not taught that’s okay. But when we do turn from the should to our want, and we’re okay, our world doesn’t cave in, the freedom and power we find is amazing.
I was so flattered when a book commissioning editor asked if I’d like to write a book that I wrote a proposal for the book I thought they’d want. While I waited to hear back I began to dread the thought of having to actually write this book, it didn’t light me up, and I found myself hoping they’d turn it down. I was so relieved when they did!
Love it. Writing is a lot of work and if you're not into your story then you'll find ten million excuses not to work on it. Every morning I get up I'm literally buzzing with excitement to work on my story. And I'm excited to get it done because I have like ten other stories I'm equally excited to write. I hope it's like that for everyone.
This resonates. I love poetry, have always loved it. I'm perfectly well aware there's no market for it and really don't care. It gives me joy, and I post it for friends and don't worry about "wasting" the first publication rights or any such b.s. Since there's no market for it, that's actually *freeing*.
Sometimes I think taking possession of one's power is a really an ongoing process of dismantling old 'should' structures, both in life and in what we're writing. Isn't the magic always in the revision?
This post came at the perfect time. You read minds! Ha, ha. I know, too, what you mean about having to keep up--to do the best thing next. I find it true of the notifications on my phone, as in: breaking a streak in fitness sessions or language lessons, and it leaves me breathless, like I can't keep up! How sad is that?
Thanks Kate. You reminded me of a book by Elle Luna called "The crossroads of should and must".
I was reading Murakami's essays on the train to work today and he said something similar about writing the book you want to write: "Since I became a writer, though, and started regularly publishing books, there is one lesson I've learned. Which is that no matter what or how I write, somebody's going to say something bad about it.... It's easy to criticize - all you have to do is say what you're thinking, and you don't have to take any responsibility for anything. For the person who's being criticized, though, if he takes each and every criticism seriously he'll never survive. So I've concluded, 'Whatever. If people are going to say terrible things, then I'm just going to write what I want to write, in the way I want to write it.'/Rick Nelson had a song late in his career called 'Garden Party.' The lyrics included the following: 'See, you can't please everyone/So you got to please yourself.'/I know exactly how he feels. It's impossible to please everyone, and all you end up doing is spinning your wheels and wearing yourself out. In that case it's better to stand up for yourself and do what makes you happy, what you really want to do, the way you want to do it. Do that, and even if your reputation isn't so great, if your books don't sell well, you can tell yourself, 'It's okay. At least I enjoyed myself.' You'll be convinced it was all worthwhile." from "Who Do I Write For?" from NOVELIST AS A VOCATION
Kate, you wrote: "don't say self-publish after today; you will be an independent publisher."
I love that. Changes my whole perspective on not finding a traditional publisher, and not paying $3000+ to a "self-publishing" company.
So I'll just be an "independent publisher" and hope that people will find and enjoy something I spent two years researching and writing - just because I wanted to.
So, some shameless self-promotion:
https://journalofjohnmcleod.substack.com/welcome
I have the same feeling as you, and I absolutely agree with you. I think that realization that came to you comes at a conscious age, when you have baggage of experience to refer to in order to draw a conclusion like you did. Thank you for giving me something to think about.
I love this advice. Chances are that if you WANT to write something there is a need to have it out in the world.
The ‘shoulds’ are powerful! It can feel so challenging, wrong and even unsafe to not do what you think you should, what’s expected, and instead do fear you want. Women certainly are not taught that’s okay. But when we do turn from the should to our want, and we’re okay, our world doesn’t cave in, the freedom and power we find is amazing.
I was so flattered when a book commissioning editor asked if I’d like to write a book that I wrote a proposal for the book I thought they’d want. While I waited to hear back I began to dread the thought of having to actually write this book, it didn’t light me up, and I found myself hoping they’d turn it down. I was so relieved when they did!
I needed to read this today. Thank you.
I want to write books people love.
Love it. Writing is a lot of work and if you're not into your story then you'll find ten million excuses not to work on it. Every morning I get up I'm literally buzzing with excitement to work on my story. And I'm excited to get it done because I have like ten other stories I'm equally excited to write. I hope it's like that for everyone.
Needed this reminder today, thank you!!
This resonates. I love poetry, have always loved it. I'm perfectly well aware there's no market for it and really don't care. It gives me joy, and I post it for friends and don't worry about "wasting" the first publication rights or any such b.s. Since there's no market for it, that's actually *freeing*.
Well said, words that will stick in my heart.🧡
Sometimes I think taking possession of one's power is a really an ongoing process of dismantling old 'should' structures, both in life and in what we're writing. Isn't the magic always in the revision?
This post came at the perfect time. You read minds! Ha, ha. I know, too, what you mean about having to keep up--to do the best thing next. I find it true of the notifications on my phone, as in: breaking a streak in fitness sessions or language lessons, and it leaves me breathless, like I can't keep up! How sad is that?
Thank you for this important reminder. 💗
🎤mic drop!
"¯\_(ツ)_/¯"
Please, _how_? Which keyboard gave you these wondrous symbols?