While continuing to read this easy to read book. I stumbled across something that I had to think about for a minute. Bocca says, "The act of writing - as opposed to the craft of writing - is an odd mixture fo continous self-discipline and self-administerd psychotherapy." I had never thought about the difference between the craft of writing and the act of writing itself. I just believed that the two were one in the same. Even now thinking about it I am having a hard time understanding the difference. I guess this means that I am not a true writer.
I find some things to be a little far fetched. Like he says, that he writes between 2000 and 2500 words per day and he works 363 days a year. To me this seems to be alot. He says of this total amount approximately 3/4 goes in the waste basket. To me this seems as if he is wasting alot of time doing nothing. I believe that if you are truly writing than everything that you write has a place. Now I understand that he has rough drafts, but this is a little much.
I am intimidated by the thought of producing that much text that consistently as well, Terron. I disagree with you, however, that throwing much writing away is a "waste" -- much of the process of writing is the journey of taking you where you want to go. It's thinking on the page. I think it's necessary to produce a lot in order to sift out the little gold nugget. Remember what Ann Lamott says about Shitty First Drafts -- maybe only a sentence or two out of so many pages is usable . . .
ReplyDeleteContinue to explore the difference between the act of writing and the craft of writing. Just because you don't understand what that means right now does not mean you are not a writer!
Terron,
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't jump the gun with the idea that you are not a true writer just yet. I also don't believe that everyone shares the same view on the amount of writing done per day as a standard for everyone to follow. If you persavere and learn to be less critical of your writing and bold enough to listen to others opinions, I think you will find that is where a writer begins to grow and develop a different outlook on their own works. Keep trudging away Terron.