People who don’t write fiction sometimes have a difficult time understanding the delights and difficulties of the writing process. Often, however, family members and close friends will do their best to “get it”. They ask the right questions and they nod with a smile when you answer. But they’re still not quite sure why “I have a name for my main character!” is a reason for celebration. They don’t understand why “I had to kill off the boyfriend!” is a reason to cry. In fact, they’re probably thinking, “You didn’t have to do anything. You’re the writer. If it makes you sad to kill off the boyfriend, then don’t do it. What does it matter?” But you, the writer, know better. You try and try to explain it. You do your best. And sometimes you get through.
My hubby is one of those supportive people. He listens to me talk about my writing and asks how it’s going, and I, in turn, find myself trying to create the perfect analogy to explain different aspects of the process. Sometimes those analogies work, and sometimes they don’t. But my favorite one yet has to do with my anxiety when I let others read and edit my work.
It goes something like this.
My hubby is one of those supportive people. He listens to me talk about my writing and asks how it’s going, and I, in turn, find myself trying to create the perfect analogy to explain different aspects of the process. Sometimes those analogies work, and sometimes they don’t. But my favorite one yet has to do with my anxiety when I let others read and edit my work.
It goes something like this.