The recent weeks have flown by…mostly due to the fact that we´re still settling in our new place and I´m getting used to my new job (while still working partly on my old one).
But this weekend I decided to enter the Writer´s Digest Bootcamp to get a good grasp on the first ten pages of my novel.
As I was telling The Chemical Engineer yet again about my publishing dream and how I wished I had more time to write, he turned to me and said, “But wait you already finished two books, how is writing a third one going to change anything?”
He meant it in the nicest way. He wasn´t trying to crush me under his shoe. He got that bewildered look on his face as soon as he saw my face and understood he pulled an Alex.
He simply wondered out loud about the time I dedicate to writing. My first reaction, after the “whaaaaaaaaaaaat????” was “You do know I´m going to blog about this.”
Of course he knows writing makes me happy but does it mean I´m going to get published?
Honestly, I don´t know. But my answer to him was. “If don´t keep trying, I´ll never know. And I am getting better.” It´s true. My revised first book isn´t as good as the first draft of Book 3. I am getting better. I am learning. And I love it.
So…will writing a third book change anything? Maybe. Maybe not. But I know that not writing it doesn´t even come to my mind.
Elodie Nowodazkij 
OF COURSE writing another book changes things 🙂 Like you said, you grow a little more with every book! And there’s no point in having a dream if you’re going to give up on it!!!
So keep writing! I can’t wait to read it 🙂
Oh, and p.s. I got SO confused while I read your post…until I realized that Hubby’s name was Alex too hahaha 😛 I was like, “What did I do???”
Hahahahahaha 😀 I cracked up when I read about your confusion due to the name. I should refer to him on my blog as The Chemical Engineer 🙂 I know you’re right and I’m also becoming a better writer thanks to you and all my other writer friends who take the time to comment on my books 🙂
On Sun, Apr 28, 2013 at 5:56 PM, commutinggirl
i signed with my agent on book 5, just sayin’. KEEP WRITING. your ‘yes’ might be around the corner and the only way you’ll ever know is if you keep moving forward.
😀 😀 😀 😀 Awwwwwwwww thanks! This reminder definitely helps! Moving forward is the way to go.
On Sun, Apr 28, 2013 at 6:03 PM, commutinggirl
one day the dream comes true… you always must go on …
Merci 🙂
On Sun, Apr 28, 2013 at 6:56 PM, commutinggirl
Ack! Yikes! That’s a rough question (and I feel bad for your poor bewildered husband once he realized what he’d said!)
But of course you’ll keep writing! Both because it’s just what you do (now that I’ve got a writing routine down, I know I’d really miss it if I stopped) and because you never know which book will be The Book. (As I tell my students before auditions: it’s not about who’s the BEST actor. I might have ten equally great actors audition, but I’m looking for the right FIT. Same goes for books and agents/publishers.)
And hey, any time you want to send a new draft of something my way, I’ll be waiting to read it!!!
Haha 😀 My hubby did stutter a bit after realizing what he said 😀 You’re very right about the FIT…I’m crossing my fingers the book I am currently writing will be the right fit for someone, an agent and then a publisher but the only way to know is to give it my best! (you’ll definitely receive something from me as soon as my draft is in a better shape <3) Same goes for you, anytime you want to send something my way, don't hesitate!
On Sun, Apr 28, 2013 at 8:09 PM, commutinggirl
Yikes! Definitely keep writing, Elodie. 🙂 I’m finding that I’m getting better at it just by continuing to do it. It’s like anything else that way–the more you work at it, the better it gets. This book could be the one! You never know. What a shame it would be to give up on that. I’ll echo Jess: feel free to send a draft my way when you’re ready to have someone look at it. 🙂
P. S. We’ve missed you!
Thanks Jaime 🙂 and thanks again for the comments on my first chapter, definitely helpful! I’m going to keep writing also because of the simple fact that it makes me happy. And who knows, maybe GUILTY will be THE one 🙂
On Sun, Apr 28, 2013 at 9:00 PM, commutinggirl
I think if you love writing for the sake of writing that’s a gift. It’s so easy to focus on the goal to get published and then forget why you ever pursued this dream in the first place. And if you love it that much, why would you stop? Especially if you know you’re getting better at it. Hope this latest project is even more fulfilling then the previous ones, Elodie!
The love of writing is definitely what keeps me going. While I’m drafting I sometimes forget about the publishing dream…being in the moment, in the character’s head is priceless 🙂 This project is definitely very fulfilling 😀 Thanks Erin!
I’m sure Chemical Engineer just meant, “what’s wrong with the last two books–why not publish those?” But he clearly suffers from a common malady among my gender when it comes to trying to comfort or encourage one’s wife: foot-in-mouth disease. 🙂
As you well know, and others have pointed out, every time you write, you learn. Each novel should be better than the last. And the one you want published is the one that represents you at your best.
I hope you forgave Mr. CE. I really think was trying to be encouraging. 😀
The Chemical Engineer did feel quite sorry about his outburst. Of course I know what he was trying to say and I had to laugh when he tried to explain himself 🙂
You are very right about this: “And the one you want published is the one that represents you at your best.” – with each novel I grow and learn as a writer. The one I’m currently drafting has less mistakes, is less telling and more showing, it has more stakes and the voice is more defined. It definitely still needs a LOT of work and I will of course need to revise it but if I can push through, I think it’s going to be at a pretty good place 🙂
Hope you’re doing well Colin!
On Mon, Apr 29, 2013 at 3:19 PM, commutinggirl