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| My kitty, curled up with a stuffed animal |
That's why I loved Sophy Burnham's For Writers Only.
It's a quick and wonderful read. In addition to her own thoughts, she includes quotes from well-known writers and even some artists on the creative life. And after the week I've had with my novel, I desperately needed some commiseration.
I found myself nodding along several times throughout the book and saying, She gets it.
One of my favorite sayings was included in the section on "Making Time." Sophy writes, "I have a lion inside me, and I have to feed it words every few days; when I don't, it begins to eat me instead."
How true!
But it is this story that really got me to thinking. Sophy says, "I fret with impatience. Hurrying. I punish myself for working so slowly, for not going faster, doing more."
See me nodding my head over here? This is me!!! But then Sophy relates the story of how Michelangelo spent eight months, along with his horse and two other men, building the road up to the marble quarry so that he could go there and cut out a marble slab to use for Pope Julian II's tomb.
Wow. Just...wow. That is dedication to the art right there. To think - I can simply turn on my computer and start typing away, or grab a piece of paper and a pen and start writing. I am truly blessed.
I picked up this book on a whim while I was at the library the other day, and I'm so glad I did. I just ordered it and it will now be a permanent part of my writing book collection. I highly recommended it!
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What an awesome book!
ReplyDeleteThat example of Michelangelo is fantastic. Reminds me of the story in Three Cups of Tea about how the Afghans got all the money to build a school, and then realized they didn't have a bridge to get the supplies there. So they had to raise money for a bridge, then build that, THEN move the supplies to build the road.
Thanks for the recommendation, this book sounds perfect.
ReplyDeleteWow, indeed. Perhaps that's the mark of a true artist...one who has the patience to undertake all the work necessary, before the real work begins.
ReplyDeleteLove this post!! So well said... :)))
ReplyDeleteOh, I should get to my library - thanks for the recommendation!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteHope you all enjoy it! :-)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds a great book - def add to my TBR thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of this book but it sounds great. As you say, all writers need a bit of support, encouragement or sympathy now and again.
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