Words are not cheap
‘cos writer’s spill their blood with ink
and commit lots of murder.
For pity’s sake
help us raise funds for bail.
©
Jacqueline
Do check out my latest book in town ‘Unbridled,’ now available on Amazon.
Tag: A Writer’s Life
Writing is Horrible! – Writing Quote Challenge Prompt
Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.
—George Orwell
This quote captures my recent thought as I thumb through a rough draft of one of my projects, gritting my teeth at the number of pages that needs to be edited. Some days I wonder if I am out of my mind, yet I know that I can’t stop. Stopping would be committing writing suicide.
It’s hard.
But I can’t throw in the towel.
I would rather throw me
and all the demons
that come out of nowhere
into it.
Jacqueline at http://www.Acookingpotandtwistedtales.com
Joan at http://www.familyparentingandbeyoned.wordpress.com
Oneta at http://www.onetahayes.com
We are continuing the same format here and that is: there are no rules to follow. Either make up your own sayings or use a quote from a famous author that you find gives you inspiration.
Each Thursday, we will post the prompt and all you have to do is participate!
Come and join in the fun.
I write therefore I am
I write, therefore I am
Identify with the craft and think like a writer. A lot of beginner writers and even some who have crafted words for some time are always reluctant to introduce themselves as a writer. Read more
Growing Muscles…Writers Quote Wednesday.
Imagination is like a muscle. I found out that the more I wrote, the bigger it got. Philip José Farmer
Inside me, when I write, I stand tall. I feel a certain clench and release that I don’t experience from anything else. That’s what writing does to me. I feel an expansion of my spirit, my soul, and my mind.
As is commonly said, the art of practice brings about a perfection and though there are times that I question myself, my sanity and conviction, personal experience with scriggling and drabbling has shown me how true it is.
I find that my vivid imagination keeps getting sharper as each day goes by and it’s veering towards seeing things in 3D perspectives from the mundane details and beauty in the ordinary to the complex structure and questions that pop up inside my head. It only means that it can get better as the muscle gets fine-tuned.
Writing is certainly not an easy exercise even when we think that we have the gift of the garb and have all the structures well put together. As a matter of opinion, I find that writers are most times less assured of their writing than those who don’t write, but the passion and the loud voices that nags in one’s head won’t let you be until you’ve had your say.
Like the quote has said, and I reiterate, keep pushing the boundaries of your imaginative muscles. Explore by pushing the strictures of your boundaries and comfort. I am trying to venture outside my zone of cruise control, to a bumpy side. I bet the knowledge gained from trying new reading material and writing aspect won’t be a wasted venture.
I would rather keep pushing it, writing and shooting crabs than stopping. In the midst of the written rubbish, there’s bound to be a couple of useful material and by the time I am done with my muscle development, I might actually stand a chance of knocking Mayweather flat on his hard backside in a boxing ring with the feathered tip of my pen.
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
Image credit: Pixabay
HAVE YOU GOT A THICK HIDE? Writers Quote Wednesday.
“I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent he would be wise to develop a thick hide.”
—Harper Lee, WD
I can’t agree more with this quote above. I know one or two people, who for better want of a word to describe their predicament they ‘are ashamed of saying that they write.’
They are perpetually on the defensive about their hobby and hope to become a successful writer, so they chose to hide it.
Sometimes, I wonder if being a writer is such a terrible thing, except of course when we lop off your head in our stories and paint you black too 😉
For such people, I will say, grow skins as thick as that of a Rhinoceros, if you are definitely sure that this is the life you want to live. It’s grits, nerves and more grits.
If you feel shame for something that you love doing, then maybe, it’s not yet your thing, otherwise, how do you expect to make a headway with it?
Be prepared to hear things like the type of conversation I once had with man in the gym, who wanted to know what kind of things I write, he was sure that I wrote only housewife’s romance or sexy stuff *his words not mine*, which by the way I like to read, depending on my mood. I read extensively and across all genres.
I simply didn’t appreciate his stereo-typing and didn’t even want to bother educating him further. I cast him as a dirty villain in a short fairy tale and gave him a crooked, bumpy nose too 😉
I have had several requests to write articles for free because they feel that it will give me exposure, and in my mind, I am like ‘You don’t say!’ 
Be prepared to hear things like:
- Are you really planning to make a living out of this? Asked in a condescending voice
- I wish I had your opportunity, to just daydream and write
- You know that writing is a dying industry right? In my mind, I am holding back from shouting, no you are the one dying, you buffoon! I didn’t utter that aloud did I 😉
- Have you gone viral yet? I guess you have now become a flu.
So, while you are getting on with it, saddle up and let the rude, inept comments roll off your back. Don’t sweat it, what they think doesn’t matter, it’s what you think that matters.
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
Image credit: Pixabay.com
Keep Tearing Up The Sheets… Writer’s quote Wednesday
One thing that helps is to give myself permission to write badly. I tell myself that I am going to do my 5 or 10 pages no matter what and I can always tear them up the following morning if I want. I’ll have lost nothing writing and tearing up fine pages would leave me no further behind than if I took the day off. Lawrence Block WD
This quote strikes a chord within me. I’ve given up trying to get the perfectly written material. I just banter along with what’s in my head and let all the string of words flow as they wish.
Some turn out to be fodder for my dust-bin and some turned out fairly good. The important thing for me, is to keep the writing going on and not give that imp called Writer’s block an excuse to manifest Himself.
I like turning the imp into a male in this case, due to the distractions that males specimens can be in female lives 😉
Before I started writing for public consumption, I happily wrote in my diary without bothering to tear out a page or gnaw at my underlips, but now that I am working on stories that would be read by others, there are times that the flow is not as seamless as my ears would like it to be, so I batter my laptop in a steady tempo, hoping to knock some sense into it and get it to say what I want.
I am quite doubtful that any writer even the greatest authors have flawless writing moments. Excerpts and stories of great authors that I have read are riddled with nervous moments, a couple of writers blocks here and there, bursts of inspirations, crazy habits a lot of times and lots of full waste paper basket and enough pocket change spent on jotters.
Bottom line, is to keep at it. Don’t stop. In the midst of the torn mess, there’s bound to be some sensible material.
I lick my lips in anticipation
My forehead beads in perspiration
I scribble in frantic desperation
Hurtled by uncertain agitation
They fall in sporadic precipitation
After some orgasmic deliberation
At last some seemly satisfaction
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
Silver’s writers quote Wednesday
It’s One Of Those Dear Diary Days….
Today’s one of those days that I wake up questioning my madness once again. It’s 4.30 am and my mind was to toss the alarm clock under the bed.
My body felt heavy and I had a dull headache as if I hadn’t slept *well, some creatures were perambulating in my head as I was trying to get my beauty sleep* and I honestly felt like just getting the children to school in my nightwear and crawling back under my lovely duvet.
Excuse my French, I simply felt shitty! For so many reasons both known and unknown.
The primary thought on my mind is why on Earth am I grinding my teeth, determined to keep writing, when I can choose a nice calm career that might not require a lot of my mental faculties.
At this point I was beginning to think fleetingly that a career as a dog walker would be just fascinating and soothe my frazzled nerves.
The dogs will keep me in shape and amuse me as well, and I could tell my tales to them as they gaze at me in pure admiration. Madness.
I dragged myself into the steamy hot shower and allowed the water to cascade down for several minutes. It’s so soothing and blissful. It revs up my engine.
Jumping into my exercise gear, I dilly-dally on the computer a bit before waking the young’uns to get ready for school and breakfast.
Mind over matter, I kept muttering to my mind and mind won.
I hit the trail, poured out some sweat and the headache was lost in transit.
Now, I sit down here in Starbucks, checking out freelance opportunities and looking at people pass me by. It’s all good as I feel a lift in my spirit and I am thankful for the ability to literally drag myself by my boot straps and get going.
Indeed, there are days in our lives that are filled with such moments of misgivings, but when we sit and appreciate the little things that surrounds us and our well-being, the picture looks brighter.
Have you experienced one of such day’s recently? How did you handle it? I like learning new ways.
‘It will all end in praise.’
You can join Colline’s or Maria Jansson gratitude challenge platforms.
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
a cooking pot and twisted tales 