Thanks for hanging in with me over the summer. As August draws to a close, I'm wrapping up the Tuesday's Tips posts. . .and rethinking this blog. Let me know what kinds of posts might be most helpful to you!
In the meantime, please allow me to share my favorite misquote. For years, I was in love with these wise words from Russell Hoban's A Mouse and His Child: "You've got to take those daring leaps or you're nowhere." This sentiment spoke to my writer's heart and experience. Sometimes, simply sitting down at a blank page (or screen) is an incredibly daring leap.
I re-read the book recently and realized Mr. Hoban actually wrote, "You've got to make those daring leaps or you're nowhere."
I hope he won't send down a lightning bolt from above at my boldness, but I actually prefer my misquote. As a writer, I take daring leaps every single day but making those leaps? That's a different issue. Sometimes I fall short, barely reaching the cliff's edge, scrabbling for purchase on some scrubby shrub to keep myself from falling into the abyss. And sometimes, I do fall --- down, down, down. But sometimes, I clear the gap like an Olympic hurdler. The deal is, unless I actually take a leap, I won't know what kind of landing I'll make. That's what makes writing so awful. And so awe-full.
My next leap? A picture book. Who knew?
What's yours?
I feel ya! Can't wait to hear about the new picture book! :) e
ReplyDeleteCould it be the picture book idea was inspired by a new little beloved baby?
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess if you take a leap you're going to make it...maybe not where you intended, but it won't be (as the book says) nowhere, and that's--as you point out--the most important thing. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI know it's a lot of work to keep up a blog, but it's always good to have you pop up for air every now and then. Maybe if you get too busy, Winston could drop a line. I wonder..has he read Peg Kehret's "Animals Welcome: A Life of Reading, Writing, and Rescue"?
I will check with Winston to see how busy he is! And I can't wait to read Peg's new book. I mean, Winston can't wait to read it.
DeleteHere's to lots of leaping!
Karen, your guess is pretty close! The book beat the baby to the world, however. ;-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Summer-Sliding-into-Autumn, Kirby -
ReplyDeleteI remember hearing you speak of that quote. Maybe sometimes we have to "make" the leaps that we take (as in create them, not necessarily land without a hitch), like we have to make our own way.
Blessings to all, especially that new baby!
I love your misquote and feel exactly the same way!! I have often thought that writing a novel is like jumping off a cliff or diving into deep water--and not knowing where I'll land. Thanks for this post! I just took "hattie Big SKy" out of the library and am looking forward to listening to it in the car-- one of my favorite ways to "read" books!
ReplyDeleteI certainly like the leaps you take and the leaps you make. I (and friends) especially enjoyed Hattie Big Sky, but I also enjoyed your book The Fences Between Us. And they were such different book!
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