Here’s a great quote on writing (by Ernest Hemingway) that I ran across the other day:
“There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly; sometimes it’s like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges.”
Most writers I know would agree, although we’d all say that “easily and perfectly” is pretty darn infrequent. In fact, it’s more likely to be “rarely.” And if the words come easily, they usually aren’t perfect, although in the editing process you might go back and feel they come out pretty well. But “drilling rock”: yeah, that’s it for sure.
What an appropriate posting for me today! I came over to check your blog because I am having such trouble getting into my writing assignment. I don’t even know why I’m struggling. This is a topic I know well, have wanted to write about for years, even outlined a book for it.
Actually, that is part of the problem. I can’t seem to narrow it down to a tiny magazine article. It’s an iceberg of a fascinating story and there’s only room for a few ice cubes.
Also, I am astonishingly tired today. Yawning and sleepy and unable to concentrate. Is it perhaps spring fever?
This sounds like a job for the “elephant” method (as in, how do you eat an elephant? one tiny bite at a time)! I have spring fever today too. Unfortunate, as the temperature is supposed to drop 15 degrees or so overnight. Sigh!