Elizabeth A. Garcia
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Why I'm Not Going to Quit

8/14/2014

11 Comments

 
Anne Rice quote from Why I'm Not Going to Quit 08/14/2014
For this entire week, I worked on one scene from a novel I'm writing (read sweating, bleeding, screaming). I tinkered with the dialog until I thought it was perfect. I exchanged the verbs I used for different verbs that are more action-packed or descriptive. Where possible I used better nouns so I could delete adjectives. I slashed adverbs and even killed the little side tangents I’m so fond of taking. I added this and took out that until I felt it was exactly the way I wanted it. I was riding high when I went to bed last night. 

I got up early this morning and read what I have so far. Something was off. Was the premise bad? Was it a flaw in the characters? Was this novel a terrible idea to begin with? After the third read-through, the cold truth smacked me in the face. That scene, as brilliantly written as it is, isn't going to work. I mean not at all. Not in this story. That’s what the problem has been the whole time. So something I spent a week on is useless and I still don’t have an Avalanche column. 

Sometimes I want to quit. I worked hard all my life and I’m retired, so why am I working so hard now? This morning at 4:30 I was asking myself that question. Do you know how dark and alone it is at 4:30? A writer can get into a lot of trouble at 4:30 in the morning.   

Of course I can quit whenever I want to; I know that. I’m not being held captive somewhere with only a laptop for diversion. The problem is I can’t quit. Writing is hard and it makes me crazy. I was going to say “a little crazy,” but why not tell it like it is? The point is that I’m driven. I’ve tried to quit and I can’t. I love to write about make-believe things or true things or almost anything.

Over the last nine years I have read everything I could buy, borrow, or check out on the subject I love. Not only do I crave doing it, I want to be good at it. There are thousands of books about the craft. Among other things, the authors of these volumes say to read everything you can get your hands on from the classics to popular fiction, to poetry—everything—and to keep writing. I can do that. But some advice is confusing.

One famous writer, Stephen King says, “The road to hell is paved with adverbs. When editing, strike every one of them.” Really? He uses them. Mark Twain is quoted as saying something similar to King, but he also uses them. What kind of advice is that? It smacks of “do as I say, not as I do.” Not fair.

Another writer advises to delete adjectives and use stronger nouns. I get that, but how would you say “the blond boy with brown eyes” or the “green house” without using adjectives? “The boy with eyes” and “The house” won’t get it. No wonder I’m crazy.

Hemingway says, “Write drunk. Edit sober.” How not helpful is that? It must have worked for him, but if I got drunk I’d blow off writing and anything else that seemed like work.

The best advice I’ve received by reading what the gurus say about writing is this: Write. Don’t give up. Keep trying. Here are two examples: “My top three pieces of writing advice? Stop whining and write. Stop (fooling) around and write. Stop making excuses and write.” ~Nora Roberts

Dr. Seuss said, “You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room.”

Thank you, but I figured that out for myself.

John Steinbeck was a fantastic writer, so I looked up what he had to say about writing. Typical Steinbeck, he nails it: “If there is magic in story writing, and I’m convinced there is, no one has ever been able to reduce it to a recipe that can be passed from one person to another.”

I do not feel better.


11 Comments
perry cozzen
8/14/2014 01:33:43 am

The best advice I've heard is to not wait until it's perfect to write something down, get something on paper and then tweak it until you like it.

Reply
Beth Garcia
8/14/2014 02:07:18 am

I've found that to be true, Perry. Once I get something down, it can be edited. The whole process can make me pull out my hair!

Reply
Tim McKenna
8/14/2014 01:37:44 am

Mark Twain — 'The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.' Trust me Beth...I hear the thunder with your stories. Keep up your great work.

Reply
Beth Garcia
8/14/2014 02:06:05 am

Thank you, Tim!

Reply
Fran Conrad
8/14/2014 02:50:46 am

Beth, I agree with Tim

I know all about thunder and you certainly have it..

Reply
Beth Garcia
8/14/2014 02:54:24 am

Thank you, Fran.

Reply
Lee Durham
8/14/2014 05:32:25 am

Never has a writer drawn me into a story as fast as you have Beth, no matter the subject. You've got what it takes and I consider you one of the best. Hang in there! We need what you offer us. Feel better soon.

Reply
Beth Garcia
8/14/2014 11:19:34 am

Thank you, Lee.

Reply
Barbara Wales
8/14/2014 06:04:10 am

You are not going to quit because that is not who you are, because you would be so sad, because you are an inspiration to so many of us, because you know life is an adventure no matter how hard it is at times, because most of the time you love it, because we love you and are sending you prayers, and love, and energy.

Reply
Beth Garcia
8/14/2014 11:21:17 am

Thank you, Barbara. You are so dear. You're right that I'm not going to quit. And I would LOVE to come see you. Maybe next year I can make that happen. Thank you so much for the invitation! <3

Reply
Barbara Wales
8/14/2014 06:08:56 am

And, seriously, if you need a break, we have a bedroom waiting for you. The Beach, Relaxation, and healing love of Aloha. We would love to have you. Think about it.

Reply



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