Well, I didn't want to say I told you so, but I did. Not long after my wife got the chance to work with an iMac for an extended period of time, she was wanting one. It comes as no surprise to me, of course. The iMac is a masterwork when it comes to ease-of-use and media presentation. It is a lovingly-crafted thing of technological beauty, and I'm glad she has it.
Here's the key: I bought it for her. She actually tried to stop me. (Admittedly, she didn't try very hard to prevent it, but still... ;) ) I did it because I want her to have all of the right tools to fully realize her ability. I would never have purchased it for her if I did not whole-heartedly believe in her talent. So, there you are my dear. Your husband believes in you.
In other news, there was Rock Band, Soul Calibur, and pizza last night as we spent time with my brother, who will likely be on a boat in the ocean for the next six years, starting this Wednesday. Much salute to Christopher Mack, now a Navy man. I'll miss you, bro. Be safe out there.
Book news: Outline in my head is complete. Starting tonight, while my wife does her homework, I will be working on my first draft of the detailed, printed outline. This is turning into a much larger project than I ever imagined, vast in scope. I will need to do all of the correct preparation for it.
I had to listen to the downer-rap from my dad while I was getting the oil changed in my wife's car yesterday, though. If you've never heard of it, it goes something like this:
"Well, you know writing a best seller is like getting into the NBA, right? Very few make it, it's a tiny group, you're going to need to have a plan for your future as well, your career, yadda yadda yadda..."
It goes on, but the whole thing basically consists of a series of down-to-earth statements that, while true and make perfectly reasonable sense, do little to inspire. I know he's trying to be helpful, but come on. I already have those concepts firmly in hand. The last thing a writer needs to hear while he's creating is his father's voice in his head, saying he is probably and essentially wasting his time. It's hard enough to not think like that when you're on your own. It's far harder still to have to hear it from a person you love, a lifelong authority figure whose opinion you value over all others.
I've told him, told them both for my mother does it too, not to talk to me like that but they keep on bringing it up. The worst part is, every time I hear this rap from either of them I can literally *feel* my steam running out. Add to that my job, which is mindless and does little for me besides pay the bills and melt my brain, and it would seem all of fate is against me in this endeavor.
2 comments:
DRAW is being sluggish, so I decided if I'm going to hell, at least I have a good excuse.
First of all, thank you. I know I've said it a dozen or so times, but my gratitude is more or less endless, so get used to hearing it.
On the point of your parents, I will say this: if they don't support you implicitly, then don't talk to them about your book. Same goes for anyone who tries to feed you reality.
I've hit you with similar in times past and I feel bad about it. People who try to talk you out of something usually are scared of the consequences of failure. I'm not sure what your dad's beef is unless you told him you're quitting your job to do this, though.
However, the ultimate truth is rather obvious: if you want to be published, you'll do everything in your power to be published. Those few who make it had grit.
Read up on Rowling's career and how the first Potter book came into being. She was a lot worse off than you, dear. So are most famous writers.
You know writers, so use them as resources. Your friend Justin seems well-acquainted with the publishing business.
I gave you my suggestion. I think you'd be good at short stories or serials. You could even look at magazines, both print and online. People love ongoing sagas. If you kept them on the edge of their seats, people would be begging you to go on. Talk about fuel for inspiration!
It might even behoove you to post excerpts here or at Facebook. That way, you could get feedback. You seem to thrive from praise (you Leo you), and I'm sure you'd find it in ample supply.
There's not more to say. Write or don't. You know I keep wanting you to. :)
Maybe you should try and use your parents' discouragement as motivation to success and inspiration to your story. Sincere writing could bring passion to a story and help developing ideas.
Anyway, realistic view is not always right; don't let that get you down.
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