Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Got a Book Inside You? Trust Me, You Might Be Happier with a Really Good Steak

When I was in NYC for a conference a few years ago, I sat down next to this guy on the subway. You probably know the type: Wall Street...Freshly scrubbed face...Leather satchel...Three piece suit the color of money...

Anyway, we got to talking and he asked me what I did for a living. I told him I was a writer. His eyes lit up and I knew his admiration for me increased.

It always does.

You see, there's something about meeting an actual writer that intrigues people. Especially women. Beautiful women.

If I had known this 30 years ago I would've told every girl I met that I was a writer. Even if the only thing I'd written off was my last girlfriend. Why? Because telling a woman that you're a writer ranks right up there with telling her that you work with autistic children.

Or that you train seeing-eye dogs.

Or that you collect food for Somalia.

And telling any buxom blond or sexy brunette that you write instructional materials on training seeing-eye dogs for autistic children in Somalia would no doubt hit the "I want to have your children" trifecta.

Unfortunately, I learned this all too late. Now I just impress strangers on subways. Or if I'm lucky, I'll light up the eyes of that three-martini matron at the cocktail party who laments the fact that her recently retired husband just strained his back "leaping to a conclusion."

Ah...if I'd only known then what I know now...

But I digress.

So... I was on the subway chatting with this young-enough-to-be-my-son businessman and told him that I wrote books for a living. After he spent a moment in utter admiration, he sighed and said that, he too, had a book inside him.

Needless to say, I've heard this a gazillion times. "Don't we all," I responded.

He said, "No, really. I do. I just ate a copy of War and Peace."

Then he got off at the next stop.

I'm not sure where I'm going with all this. Perhaps it's to say that if you do have something inside of you that is just dying to get out then perhaps now is the time to do it. Cookbook. Novel. Short story. Poem. If it's clawing at the door of your soul, perhaps you need to let it loose.

But you must do it right. Otherwise you might be better off ordering a la carte at Mortons Steak House.

As in any craft, you'll need to work at it. Sweat over it. Hone it and perfect it. Offer it up for critique. Re-write it. Then re-write it again. Send it to a good editor. Then rewrite it again.

But above all, stick with it.

I've met many a writer who grew disenchanted because, after a whole two months, their blog follower count didn't quadruple...Or they received a dozen or so rejection letters from agents...Or their best friend (even worse, their spouse) laughed and said, "You have something that needs to be said? What happened, did that gorilla who pounds her fist on the floor to communicate with her trainer die or something?"

Listen, if what you have to say is worth hearing, people will listen. But as in most things, much of it lies in the presentation.

You have a book inside you? Let it sing. But not after you've taken out all the sour notes. You found a recipe that sounds delish? Make it. Then tweak it. Then make it again. 

The ladies (or men) will love you for it. .

Carpe diem and bon appetit!

Warren

38 comments:

  1. Well, this is interesting. This week, I have been thinking about the fact that I really, really want to start a cookbook of my own. I don't think I'm old enough or knowledgeable... but like you said, if it's honed and tweaked enough, it might just miiiiiiiight not be the biggest failure of all time?

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  2. @Go for it, Anna! (And be sure to e-mail me if you have any questions about the process!)

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  3. Witty and fun. I've got to try the dog trainer line.

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  4. "Let it sing. But not after you've taken out all the sour notes." Love it!

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  5. @Scott. Thanks! Let me know how it works for you! LOL.

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  6. @Sara. Thanks, Sara. Feel free to steal that one. :-D

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  7. @Emily. Good to hear from you, again! Glad you enjoyed. Hope you're having a great week!

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  8. You're so right. I think that most people don't realize how much hard work it takes to make something appear effortless.

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  9. @Laura. As someone once said: "Any 5-year old with 20 years of experience could do it." :-)

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  10. HAHAHA
    I love that line! Makes me wish he'd actually write the book, so I could laugh all through it.

    Writing seems like a hobby akin to photography, blogging, etc. Keep doing it because you love it and one day, maybe, you'll get lucky :)

    Also, congrats on being published - in print!

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  11. @Cinna B. Thanks for stopping by! I try to post weekly so please feel free to drop by often. There's always an extra chair and a bottle of wine chilling. :-)

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  12. Loved this article. People think they want to be writers until the moment the picture changes from fluffy sheep dogs and smoking jacket to real down in the trenches-with-a-shovel-soul-digging, and typing till your fingers ache; i.e., it must become actual disciplined work. Disciplined creatives are worth their weight in gold. Thanks so much. Buzzed you.

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  13. Hi, I love writing. I'd love to write a book, but not a novel because I know that I 'lack imagination'...It's a bit feable to say that I don't know what I would write about, but it's the truth...so, in the meantime I'm honing my skills with the blog. :o)

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  14. @Laura Hickman. So right you are! It is work (fun a lot of the time, not so fun other times, and grueling for more times then I'd care for, lol). Stephen King's book On Writing is pretty eye-opening regarding the discipline required to write well (and successfully.) Thanks for stopping by!

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  15. @Kooky Girl. Well, I'd say you were off to a great start with your blog! And if you keep at the craft part of it, eventually something will reveal itself and you will have the freedom to pursue that genre/mode when it does. People would be surprised at how much gold is discovered because people were committed to digging for it - and they have the sore muscles and sweat-soaked clothes as a reminder. :-)

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  16. After spending all day Monday - Friday communicating what brown can do for you, I think I will pass on the novel. But I'm always open for a good steak...actually I think I'll go find one right now. Thanks for the suggestion.

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  17. Hey, thanks for checking out my blog! I love your writing. Very engaging- what a funny story. I feel quite inspired to write now, but unfortunately i'm buried under a pile of school and work-work... says the girl leaving a comment on someone's blog haha

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  18. @eatmybeets. Excuses, excuses! LOL. Time to dig out from under all that ephemera and spread your wings, Megan. I've read your blog, and clown nose not withstanding (too funny) I think you have something there. So...make some time to write. Even if it's just a comment on someone's blog...You have at least one person cheering you on! :-)

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  19. What an incredibly funny post! I don't fancy myself a writer, just a lawyer with a need for a creative outlet.

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  20. @Cucina49. Thanks! As for me? I fancy myself as a writer who once aspired to be a lawyer. No joke! :-)

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  21. Very true. Reminds me of when I changed careers to cooking and everyone was soooo jealous. They really didn't understand the amount of actual blood, sweat and well... there's no crying on the line... that went into their pretty dinner. Now I hear the "you should write a cookbook" refrain quite a bit. I usually just smile and say, "working on it. Ask me about it again in 3 years." ;-)

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  22. I recently started introducing myself as a writer when asked "so, what do you Di?" It's more interesting than stay-at-home-mum who writes blogs about cakes and parenthood. I've noticed 'Blogger' being used in bios of young things when they appear in the glossy weekend paper magazines. Apparently its the cool thing to do now. What a relief!

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  23. @Cake. Thanks for that big dose of the real deal! I'm sure many folks don't know what it takes to shine. They look at the final result and marvel at one's over-night success, lol. At any rate, when you publish that book? Look for me at the front of the line to buy one!

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  24. @Di. Too funny! At least you've found your "here's my introduction" niche and can find confidence that many have gone before you!

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  25. I love this post.
    I was too shy to call myself a writer for a long time even though I'd been published in different magazines and even edited my university student newspaper. Then I became too scared to write because I was too concerned about every word being perfect.
    I finally realised that I could call myself a writer because it's what I would still continue to do even if no one was reading my words.
    Writers need to write. And they need to be tough enough to handle rejection after rejection. Because if they're a real writer, they'll keep on writing anyway.
    So happy to have met you via Foodbuzz!
    Cheers
    Christina @ The Hungry Australian

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  26. @hungryaustralian.com Thanks for stopping by, Christina! Feel free to drop by often. There's always room around this table. :-)

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  27. Great post! I agree, if you want to write a book you need to keep at it and have patience...lots of patience!

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  28. @Irini Savva. Thanks, Irini. Please stop by again. If you have the patience, lol! Take care.

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  29. Chef Caterson, This is Roz/Foodbuzz. I will follow thanks for your visit as well.
    I have a long time friend who has just retired. And is always looking for just for two meals.I'm a newbie in blogging, but cooking for long, long time and still learning.
    Perfect timing!

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  30. @What's Cooking Roz. Thanks for stopping by! Lot's of hints and recipes for two here. Glad you found me!

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  31. As many others have noted, blogging is a great way to share what you love with others. I've decided not to worry about follower counts or hits, and just write about what matters to me. If I can bring a few laughs (or cookies or chocolate) into someone else's life, it's worth all the effort.

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  32. @Mia. Very well put! Of course, I'd expect no less from a writer who christens her blog after an heirloom tomato, lol. Anyway, glad you dropped by. Laughs are more than welcome. As are any cookies and chocolate. :-)

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  33. just dropped by to say hello and cant believe that this is the seventh post Ive just finished reading:)and it seems your blog wont let me do anything else today:D love the way you write....

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  34. @SChee. Wow, what a complement! . :-) Please drop again - and don't forget to bring some of those uber-cool donuts!

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