Whenever It Hits
Abbreviated updates from the past few months
Greetings and salutations,
Folks, it’s been a minute. For those catching up, publicly announced my new role at The Black List last Fall, launched Read the Acknowledgments: an on the business of books and writing podcast, officiated a wedding for one of my best friends, made gumbo for the first time (it was a HIT), celebrated career shit with two friends I’ve known since French Roast on 11th and 6th, bought the mirror I’d been eyeing for close to 4 years, and hiked Bryce Canyon (this is getting its own post).
I’ve also been deep in the second draft of my novel. The process of writing this book, this story in particular, has felt incredibly special. Late-night phone conversations with friends who know more about editing than myself (it’s why they get paid the big bucks), the one-hour commutes to my favorite writing spot on weekends, sneaking in two hours on weekday mornings, reading five books at a time across multiple genres and formats for research, retracing and redrawing old maps from years past. Even the small stuff… In a lot of ways, the task of doing the simple things with each draft has felt sacred.
Do not confuse sacred or special with easy. I’ve been working on this book for 11 years. Nothing about this has been easy, but I am grateful. None of us know what awaits us on the other side of completing a book—of taking a project as far as one can take it—and still, I’m indebted to the process. I’ve learned so much already, and I know more lessons await.
Who knows… In a few years, someone reading this may be buying the novel. Only time will tell.
I miss writing here. Currently building a Google calendar schedule (with reminders) so this happens more often than it has in the past few months. I have some cool things coming up that I can’t wait to share.
Hope your weekend is going well. About to do some online shopping before English futbol starts.
Be well. Drink some water. Stretch. Love y’all.
Best,
RW
P.S. S/o to Tuvok
Man, can it even BE special/sacred if it's easy? My son turned three on Wednesday and he has been a lot lately. But as soon as the words "labor of love" floated into my brain, I started fighting back. "No," I said, "the labor IS love." Random, top-of-the-head reaction to your words. Talk soon.
I completely agree that sacred does not equate easy! Even when there's an energy behind what we're creating that seems to push it forward (the sacred side for me), it's so much work! I hope your writing keeps flowing and going places!