Hey, I've got a fantastic idea for a novel!It's awesome.
What a great story!
*euphoria*
Chapter 1
Yes!
Chapter 2
Wow!
Chapter 3
I'm on fire—woo woo!
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Uh-oh...
Chapter 6
This story has serious problems
Chapter 7...
This book is terrible. Who would want to read this piece of garbage?
Wife: What's wrong, honey?
My book sucks, that's what's wrong. I should never have started it.
Oh, I bet it's good.
It's not. Trust me. It should be used to line bird cages, or to wrap fish.
Let me read what you've got so far.
No.
Come on, I'm sure it's better than you think.
Well, if want to punish yourself, go ahead. What do I care?
*depression*
Mike, this book is good.
It's crap.
No, it's good. Really.
You're just saying that because you're my wife. Writers need honest feedback, dammit!
I am being honest. It has some rough spots, but you can fix those.
How can I "fix" anything? I'm not a real writer. A real writer wouldn't have these problems in the first place.
I should pursue another career.
(One week spent pursuing another career)
*depression*
I can't help it—I was meant to be a writer, even if I'm a bad writer.
I give myself permission to write a bad book.
I started this damn thing and I have to finish it.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
I still think it sucks, but maybe there are a few halfway decent parts.
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Hey, this might not be so bad after all.
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
This book is actually pretty good. At least I think it might be.
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Hey, this really is good!
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
I'm on fire, baby! This book smokes!
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Yes! Finished! A fantastic book. It's going to be a bestseller!
*euphoria*
(time passes)
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
.
.
.
*reality*
This book is very good.
I love it.
I'm going to publish it.
You captured it, Mike, and lifted my spirits as well. Merry Christmas in the UK!
ReplyDeleteAlas, I'm at the Chapter 5 stage right now (accept that I'm on Chapter 12). My New Year's Resolution is to stop being so critical, stop using it as an excuse to not write every day, and get over myself. I'm not sure that last one is actually going to happen, but I'll work on the other two. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, Mike. This is a funny post. But it also hits close to home. I've heard writers talk about this "process" several times. At a workshop, Nancy Knight read a poem that started out, "Shiny, shiny, shiny..." and went down from there, LOL.
ReplyDeleteWhat I like about your take is the comeback at the end. I don't always get to that euphoria, but I'm bookmarking this post for when I get the "suckies" again. It's soooo good to know I'm not alone in this strange experience. Thanks. :)
Sweet short story. Encouraging to all of us who put work out there and wait for responses, and then busy ourselves with seeking those responses, only to hear little back, and wonder if we've made a nuisance of ourselves. Back to the writing!
ReplyDeleteOh - not to add to your woes, but "line burn cages" or line "bird" cages?
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your great comments, and Terry, thanks for catching the typo!
ReplyDeleteHilarious and oh so true...loved it!!
ReplyDeleteHi, it's fun & funny. It's always amazing can write something "Much" like a book. At least, that's true. I would love to have your book too. But i didn't find it in Taiwan, so bad :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Rachel. My books are available worldwide in ebook format, many of them free. Links are on book covers at the top of this page.
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