Every birthday I consider what the past year has brought and what I hope the upcoming year will bring. This year as I entered a new decade, my focus was also tempered by the awareness that my time isn’t unlimited, and I want to use it well. What will the coming days and years consist of? Family and friends, health upkeep, travel, fun and for me, writing.
At first, asking what role writing will play in my life seems silly. Creative writing isn’t something you have to retire from. I can write as long as the words and ideas come. But the deeper question is—What are my expectations about publication?
Widely published authors like Stephen King and Joyce Carol Oates can continue publishing as long as they care to. It’s a different matter for the writers I know, who have a modest number of publications. Like it or not, the marketplace may decide for them. Because it’s a personal and potentially painful decision, writers don’t always discuss the dilemma.
In the past 20 years, I’ve written two book-length memoirs, but I’m not seeking publication for either of them. I learned what I could about writing books, but it wasn’t enough. The real gift is what I discovered about myself through the writing process. I’m proud of myself for doing the work. I’m at peace with the idea the books won’t be out in the big world.
Instead, I’m focusing on writing short memoirs, essays and blogs. My talents and skills are better suited to short pieces. Most years I publish one or two. Not a breath-taking record, but enough for me. Knowing my words and ideas find an audience in an anthology, literary journal or blog is plenty.
Publication plays a small part in my commitment to writing. I write because it helps me make sense of my world.
Two quotes sum up my outlook. The first comes from a blog by Amy Grier who was struggling with her writing and the state of the world in November 2020. Her thoughts are still relevant:
“Writing tethers me to the world in a way nothing else does . . . I don’t know who will be president, what’s happening to my country, even what will happen to me. But I’m going to write anyway. It’s my remedy for despair. It’s how I will survive.”
The next comes from an interview with Margaret Atwood, who offered a few rules for writers. After making practical writerly suggestions, she also said this:
“Nobody is making you do this: you chose it, so don’t whine.”
For as long as it pleases me I will honor my creative nature and write anyway.
Very true, Ellen. And you have been published, just not those two memoirs. A former college friend of mine, who won a Pulitzer prize, just wrote about her process for producing a weekly column. This past week she had a topic she was trying to work out and she wrote and wrote and wrote and produced nothing that came near what was in her mind. She’s a truly professional writer who knows enough to understand that sometimes that is the process she has to go through to work through something that doesn’t need to be written for others. Thank you, Margaret Atwood for another brutal insight.
Thanks!
I agree, writing is the important thing. Sometimes publication happens, sometimes it doesn’t, and sometimes we don’t even want it to! Writing can, and should be, its own reward.
Exactly! Glad you understand.
Ellen, so very well said. I feel so much the same way. Thank you!
Glad to hear I’m not the only one!
👏🏼 Sounds like a perfect course of action for you, Ellen.
When I saw your photo, my first thought was how good your ergonomic posture is, a sign of a true pro. 🙂
Oh funny! I slouch plenty, but glad I impressed you. 😆