Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Reading and Writing

You know that feeling you get after you've finished a really great book?  Like you've been changed somehow?  That's what I'm feeling right now.  I just finished The Time Between by Karen White.  Wow, what a great book.  I found myself marveling throughout the novel at the author's ability to create such a touching and powerful story, with characters complex and human.  So many times while reading I wondered how she came up with that.  As many of you know, I am writing my own fiction-based novel.  I am at 10,000 words now (a novel is typically around 60,000).  I said I would write every day, no matter if I felt like it or not, but I haven't.  Between trips, occasions, and life, I've found it hard to find time to write and harder still when I sit down to try.  I pretty much have to reread the story, which takes some time, to remember where I am and what's happened.  However, despite the hiccups in my trajectory, I will soldier on.  I still love writing it and feel immense pleasure when I take up my keyboard to delve back in.  Today, though, I had to finish White's book.  I couldn't put it down.  I thought at one point, how could I write a book after reading one from such an accomplished author.  I've had this discussion before.  If there is no hope of writing like JK Rowling, why bother?  Let the masters make their masterpieces.  While I have nowhere near the ability of these and many great authors, the process of creating something entirely my own from nothing is truly invigorating.

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