Do Not Disturb: Am Writing.
July 6, 2015|Posted in: authors, Books, Catching Up, novel, poetry, Uncategorized, work, writing
“Lady Writing a Letter,” Jan Vermeer. c 1670
Don’t try and stop me. I have writing to do.
I’m writing while I fold laundry and wash dishes.
I’m writing while I sit by my husband’s bed awaiting his back surgery.
I’m writing while I drive home late at night.
I’m writing when I get up at 3 a.m. to let the cat in. Or out.
I’m writing when it looks like I’m reading. Or spacing out. Or chopping vegetables.
Because, for me, writing doesn’t look like writing until the last 10 percent.
“Genius is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration.” — Thomas Alva Edison
Writing — for me — is like that, too, sort of. It’s all in my head until the last bit, which is writing it down (on paper or screen). I don’t sit at my desk and wonder what will come. I write all the time, and then sit down and let it out.
And that’s about all I have to say. Tomorrow I have an essay to write. A chapter to finish. Some poetry that is weeping my name.
I’m almost ready.
Wait and see.
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Julia
Julia Park Tracey is an award-winning journalist, author, and blogger. She is the author of "Veronika Layne Gets the Scoop" and "Veronika Layne Has a Nose for News" (rep'd by Booktrope). She is the Poet Laureate of Alameda, California. She's also the conservatrix of The Doris Diaries, the diaries of her great-aunt Doris Bailey Murphy. Her articles have appeared in Thrillist, Quill, Paste, San Francisco Chronicle, and in many magazines; her latest poetry appears in The East Bay Literary review.
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jan
July 7, 2015
I do a lot of goofing off – looking at old photo albums, wandering in the garden, talking to myself before that inspiration arrives!
Bronwyn Emery
July 7, 2015
Oh my gawd, yes. I really, REALLY hope this is the case for me — because, if it is, then I’m about to unleash an epic 10 percent.