Book Update: A Lot Done, So Much to Go…
So I'm working on a book. It's a collection of essays called "Practical Classics: Rereading your Favorite Books from High School English Class" 50 essays, each one arguing for why a book from high school can be useful to you as a grownup. It'll be published by Prometheus Books and will be available in early 2013. I'm to hand the thing in on June 1.
I've finished 16 essays which means a) I'm 32% done and b) I have a heckuva lot left to go. And not much time left to do it.
Of course I could turn in the book late (my friend Katie actually said "You'd be the first writer to hand in a manuscript on time. Probably ever." But "Practical Classics" is my first book where every word is written by me. I hope to write about a dozen more before I die and I'd like to set good habbits now. The thought of being 60 and still approaching writing with the dread of an eighth grader completing an essay on "Lord of The Flies" horrifies me.
I know its going to take me a long time to feel comfortable producing words as regularly as brushing my teeth. I'd like to start now.
I fear this means a lot of long days, nights in and work on the weekends between now and June. I hate this idea. But I don't really see another way. At least from where I stand, about 16 miles from the finish line.
Between now and then, I'm slated to be a writer-in-residence at two separate programs–The Ragdale Colony in Lake Forrest, Illinois (for 1 week) and the Vermont Studio Center in just-outside-of-Beijing, Vermont (for 1 month). I leave for Ragdale tomorrow (!) and am scheduled to spent April in Vermont. I figure I'll see how well I do at Ragdale and decide on Vermont when I get home in February.
I am not someone who sees Middle-of-Nowhere as an artistic blessing. Not sleeping in my own bed, not going to the office each morning, being far from wife and friends, scares me. I know it allows me time to just focus on my writing. That's probably what scares me. I've never had that kind of mandate-from-fate to just write before.
But a blessing it is. There's about 3 perks you get when working on a book and this is one (the other two? Eh, bragging rights and, something I haven't found). It's up to me to take the opportunity and sprint.
So I won't be on the social media channels much for the rest of this month. I'll be here…
But with snow on the ground.
Wish me warmth. And focus.
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14 Replies to “Book Update: A Lot Done, So Much to Go…”
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Wow! Both sound like great opportunities for you to focus and write.
I’ve been thinking about sneaking away someplace for a week and writing like crazy as well. Haven’t found a place YET.
Keep on writing!
Wow! Both sound like great opportunities for you to focus and write.
I’ve been thinking about sneaking away someplace for a week and writing like crazy as well. Haven’t found a place YET.
Keep on writing!
From Ray Bradbury’s “Zen and the Art of Writing:”
“By living well, by observing as you live, by reading well and observing as you read, you have fed Your Most Original Self. By training yourself in writing, by repetitious exercise, imitation, good example, you have made a clean, well-lighted place to keep the Muse.”
Wishing you creativity, collaboration and an ever-present muse.
From Ray Bradbury’s “Zen and the Art of Writing:”
“By living well, by observing as you live, by reading well and observing as you read, you have fed Your Most Original Self. By training yourself in writing, by repetitious exercise, imitation, good example, you have made a clean, well-lighted place to keep the Muse.”
Wishing you creativity, collaboration and an ever-present muse.
Wishing you the best at Ragdale. May it help you find what Dr. Phil calls “your authentic self.”
But seriously, looking forward to seeing you and reading your work.
Wishing you the best at Ragdale. May it help you find what Dr. Phil calls “your authentic self.”
But seriously, looking forward to seeing you and reading your work.
Thank you all! I appreciate the support very much.
C.C. You’re bound to have a friend with a spare bedroom, unused summer place, or something of that nature. Ask to borrow for a weekend. At least that’s what I’ve done in the past.
Thank you all! I appreciate the support very much.
C.C. You’re bound to have a friend with a spare bedroom, unused summer place, or something of that nature. Ask to borrow for a weekend. At least that’s what I’ve done in the past.
the home look fine.
http://selfservebacklinks.com
the home look fine.
http://selfservebacklinks.com
It needs lots of passion and dedication when you are prepared to write a book, lots of thinking goes on in mind, and we need our family support as well.
It needs lots of passion and dedication when you are prepared to write a book, lots of thinking goes on in mind, and we need our family support as well.
You’re lucky, that place looks gorgeous! Glad to hear the book is going well!
You’re lucky, that place looks gorgeous! Glad to hear the book is going well!