Love to Write?

[Love Is Murder Conference]

Happy Valentine's Day! I must say that while I do have a romantic and thoughtful husband it is our four year old who brings out the real joy in holidays like this one. He insisted on printing his name on his 30+ valentines for his preschool friends which took over an hour. He goes crazy for decorated baked goods, cards, little tokens of affection with hearts on them. It gets my husband and I geared up too.

This makes me think of my attitude towards writing. I have a friend who told me if he does not get on a notable list soon he is going to stop writing. As I listened to several successful folks at LIM I too felt for a little bit like maybe this writing thing just isn't going to work for me, maybe I just can't do it. Do you feel this way at times? What brings you back to the writing?

For me it's like living with ghosts. I've had ideas for a few projects and so when I'm feeling discouraged I do a quick outline or scene. I try to encourage others who feel discouraged and realize I should take my own advice.

What do you love about writing? Personally, I like finishing a project. Nothing beats that feeling before the rewriting begins. Also, I love cutting, for some reason. I wish I could do that with my vocal conversations! I also like being with other writers.

I imagine a big book contract would give me joy, but I realize that the creation is the big thing. My Teen Writing Club is all about creation and sharing. I can't get them to enter contests or think about getting published. That's not the point for them, and I want to get some of that attitude for myself.

-Amy Alessio