It seems no matter what I do God tends to push me out of my comfort zone. Okay, he doesn’t push—he SHOVES--while I dig in my heels and create a trench the size of
Case in point.
Yesterday Colleen and I had to go to a studio and tape a 90 SECOND segment on our Women of Faith books. Have I mentioned I hate speaking in front of people--and the camera thing is even worse! This segment, as I understand it, will be shown at Women of Faith Conferences. No pressure here.
We give an introduction—well, really, Colleen gives an introduction, and I merely have to state my name (which, happily, I remember), then we each give a blurb on our books that takes, oh, about 25 seconds each, then we close with a final sentence. I can do this. I mean it takes me longer than 25 seconds to yawn, right?
So why do I—all during the taping--keep thinking of the Vega-Vitamin episode of I Love Lucy? Remember that one? Where she stumbles over the words (actually, I think she gets, um, intoxicated by the elixir). Well, I wasn’t drunk (only had one cup of coffee), but I did worry about the stumbling over words thing. Fortunately, I had memorized my little piece and got through it somehow. But I won’t even tell you how I looked like a talking marshmallow head (it’s not the studio’s fault I’m a chocoholic).
I say this only so you’ll know there’s more to the writing life than just the writing. Some of it fun and some of it not so fun, but there’s no denying it’s a great adventure. What other jobs/hobbies offer rejections, deadlines, writer’s block, interviews, book signings (to attend or actually sign books), speaking engagements (for the not so faint in heart), and endless opportunities to meet and mingle with other writer types who can totally relate to your weirdness?
There are things we like and dislike about everything, but as crazy as it sounds, I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do.
So how about you, whether you're published or unpublished, what's your favorite part of writing? Least favorite?
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Colleen Coble writes romantic suspense with a strong atmospheric element. A lovable animal of some kind--usually a dog--always populates her novels. She can be bribed with DeBrand mocha truffles.
Denise Hunter writes women's fiction and love stories with a strong emotional element. Her husband says he provides her with all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too.
Diann Hunt writes romantic comedy and humorous women's fiction. She has been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, chocolate, her dog, and well, chocolate.
Cheryl Hodde writes romantic medical suspense under the pen name of Hannah Alexander, using all the input she can get from her husband, Mel, for the medical expertise. For fun she hikes and reads. Out of guilt, she rescues discarded cats. She and Mel are presently taking orders from four pampered strays.
15 Comments:
Since I'm unpublished, my least favorite part of writing is the waiting after submission. My favorite? Diving into my make-believe world and being immersed in surroundings I get to create. Hmmm...maybe I'm a bit of a control freak! LOL
Least favorite? Rejection.
Favorite? Rejection.
Though I hate rejection because that is my soul bled all over the page, I can always sigh in relief that the public doesn't get to hate me--just yet. You published types have terrified me of publication. No, of course my favorite part is when the compliments come rolling (or limping) in.
The creativity/planning part is my favorite - especially those "ah-ha" moments when an insignificant character or scene suddenly takes on new meaning, or a perfect connection falls into place.
Rewriting is my least favorite part, including trying to decide when to stop and submit. But I'm sure, if I ever get to that point, that radio and TV promotion will far outweigh it.
Di did a fabulous job! She was a natural for the camera. She has a new career ahead of her. LOL
I can just picture Lucy saying vi-da-veeg-a-veg-a-min before taking another swig :-) Ha-ha!
Favorite part of writing is when my hands fly over the keys as if they're moving without me. Doesn't happen every day, but when it does? Sweet!
Least favorite? Waiting for feedback (this is why I have stubby fingernails...)
My favorite part is editing! I just got my edits back from Erin too and I'm in heaven. Great stuff! Now I'm eagerly awaiting feedback from Ami.
Um, Colleen, no. No new career waiting for me--well, unless they decide to do a remake of I Love Lucy--or the Beverly Hillbillies (I could be Granny). ;-)
Julie, I can so relate to the stubby fingernails! And I love when my fingers fly over the keys, but that doesn't happen as often as I'd like--as in, right now, I'm struggling with my story. Sigh. Course, the fact that I'm blogging and reading email rather than writing might have something to do with it. ;-)
Somehow I didn't think you'd be rushing to offer to drive it, Di. LOL You drive a little compact car. But have at it, girlfriend! LOL
My favorite is seeing someone's face light up at some truth I've told well. I don't know yet if it's my least favorite thing but speaking is scary. I'm doing my first speaking engagement to a writers group next month and I feel certain I'll be having a heartattack at the podium. :)
Oh, I'll be praying for you, Gina! I know how scary that can be for people like us who don't enjoy it all that much. :-) Maybe we'll grow used to it over time.
My favorite part: sitting at the desk in my jammies making stuff up.
Least favorite part: not having time to write until after everyone goes to bed. If I ever wrote something while I was awake, it might be good. At least that's what I tell myself!
As the resident drama queen for my chruch, I'm quite comfortable in front of an audience or a TV camera. Disgusting, huh? Well, didn't they tell you I was half Irish and half ham? Sad, but true.
I think my favorite part of writing is writing, especialy when my characetrs take over. When I have to do it, I hate it.
That's when I stop and have another quiet time. :o)
My least favorite part is the waiting...
My favorite part... ripping the box open and seeing my book for the first time, screaming and hugging it!! Sick I know but I do love books so.
I am not published...yet. :D My favorite part is the First Draft. Unrestricted creativity, without worrying if there are plot holes or if you have dangling participles.
My least favorite part? Well, I'm not too fond of rewrites. (hence posting on a blog instead of actually tackling it).
I used to cry over rejection, but now that I understand where it stands in accordance to God's will, I'm not so worried about it..let's see how that holds up when the next rejection letter comes, lol.
But my least least favorite part would have to be the fear of speaking. I grew up in a small town and if a teacher in school should call on me, my face would turn red. If I actually had to speak, my face would flame and my voice would do terrible things.
Do they have speaker doubles I wonder?
Least favorite: my perfectionist OCD editing *facepalm*
Favorite: Reading what I just wrote and feeling amazed that I actually got all of those thoughts, emotions, and pictures out of my head and onto the paper.
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