Have you ever taken a pilgrimage?
The difference between wanting to write and having written is one year of hard, relentless labour. It’s a bridge you have to build all by yourself, all alone, all through the night, while the world goes about its business without giving a damn. The only way of making this perilous passage is by looking at it as a pilgrimage.– Shatrujeet Nath
Some of you may have noticed that I haven’t been posting much on my blog for the last few months. This is because I have been finishing up the sequel to The Secret Sense of Wildflower, entitled Lily’s Song. I started writing this sequel 14 months ago and last week put on the final touches before giving it to my First Readers (the precious handful of people that I entrust to give me feedback).
Once I handed off the manuscript, I realized how exhausted I was. Mentally, creatively, spiritually, physically, emotionally. I have been resting up–recovering from what feels like a long journey. A pilgrimage that I chose to make, and with only the best intentions, yet didn’t expect to be so difficult. After all, I’ve done this particular journey many times. But I think I had more invested with this particular project. I wanted to give the continuation of Wildflower’s story the passion it deserved. I also wanted to give readers who have taken the time to email me and review the book, the things they asked for and wanted more of.
In the following weeks, I hope to return to blogging with some consistency. In the meantime, I offer you these words from Sylvia Boorstein, with pilgrimage in mind:
May you be safe.
May you be content.
May you be strong.
May your life be filled with ease.
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Congrats on Amazon and on finishing your draft. I’m approaching my writing with new vigor and am about to embark on a revision of a middle grade novel my agent likes but says needs character rethinking. Onward!
Yay, Barbara! Glad to hear you are moving onward!! xo
Susan,
What you said is so true. Writing is like a pilgrimage, no matter what type of novel is written. Writing is relentless work, and as you mention, work that occurs while the rest of the world goes by. Readers will love our books, and after reading will comment, I can’t wait for the next book, I’m sure never thinking that it will take another year plus of our lives to write the next. We have to love what we do!!! 🙂
Thank you for a great post. Best wishes!
Your friend, Susan
Thanks so much for your thoughts, Susan. I do absolutely love what I do, despite the difficulty. It’s nice to know that you “get it.” Neither of us are alone.:)xo
It must be really difficult to write a sequel, especially to a novel like Wildflower. No wonder you are knackered! Look forward to reading it.
“Knackered” is the perfect word for what I’m feeling, Ann. Thanks for that.:) I hope all is well with you.xo
Wrong. It’s WAY more than one year of labor (or labour). That’s one reason I’ve decided it’s not for me.
You’re right, John. A year of writing a draft is just the beginning of sometimes MANY years of trying to get the story out there. It’s not for everybody. I’m not even sure I should encourage my daughters in their writing aspirations. Would I really want people I love to go through this?! But at the same time, if a strong enough desire is there to tell the stories you need to tell, then you somehow figure out how to keep going. None of it is easy. LIFE isn’t easy.
Thank you for conencting the dots. I would say writing takes time, time, and more time than mayabe a person has. But if the conviction is strong, the task can be done.
Congrats on finishing your book and your success on Amazon and Nook. I read Seeking Sara Summers a few years ago and really enjoyed it.
I totally agree, C.L. Well said. “Conviction” is a good word for it. I like dedication, too. Both imply a task worthy of time for those drawn to it.
Hi M.E.,
Thanks so much for reading Seeking Sara Summers! That was my first novel, published in 2008. Over the years, I’ve been working on is a sequel to that story, too. What do you imagine Sara and Julia are up to now?:)
Dear Susan,
Congratulations on your successful book rankings, and hearing from readers who love your novels.
I will look into them.
May your recuperation time after completing your most recent manuscript be rich and blessed. May your early readers respond with praise and suggestions you already suspected.
Today, I met Becky Young to receive her photo prize for responding to the question after your From the Front Porch interview.
This pick-up reminds me of our earlier connection around interviewing me. Has this crossed your mind and/or heart at all or might it again? I’d love to participate, Susan. Thank you.
Many blessings,
Joy