After all, Fermina Daza and Florentino Ariza were just two characters in Garcia Marquez’s novel Love in the Time of Cholera. You, fellow writer, on the other hand, are the only character in your own life’s novel. And you’re coming back to port now.
Hi ACIL - your thoughts will be so helpful to many at this time, and so informative to people like me who are interested. My aim is to read and to write up all the blog posts that are outstanding ... thanks for this - all the best to you and yours during this outbreak - Hilary
Thanks for the inspiration, Cuban! I hope you're well and that you and your family stay well! It's wonderful to see you on here, again. Keep coming back.
A fellow who went by the name Ecclesiastes once said men go and come, but Earth abides, and something about nothing new under the sun. I sort of came to a point of realization he was right and decided to more-or-less coast along as the only character in the novel of my own life. My recommendation for reading would be George R. Stewart's 1949 novel, "Earth Abides."
Beyond that, the advice you offer is excellent and beneficial, CiL. No matter what goals an individual pursues, having faith in oneself is paramount in achieving them and there is nothing like practice/practice/practice to hone one's skills and to improve one's talents.
To modify David Coverdale's admonition: "Be safe, be happy and don't let anybody (or anything) make you afraid."
Excellent and inspiring advice. While I'm not a writer in the true sense of the word, I've been thinking I need to pull out my old journal. It's been awhile since I put pen to paper.
In reference to the comment above, I read that George R. Stewart novel a few months ago. Along the same line, I could recommend "The Brief History of the Dead" by Kevin Brockmeier.
Being quarantined is like an enforced vacation, so we might as well make the most of it! Writing is an excellent way to spend some of that time. I always expected that there'd be another pandemic, but I never imagined people all over the world stockpiling toilet paper as a response. People are funny, eh? Hunker down, and take care, Mario.
First.Iam so happy to see you here again.It is a wonderful post and something to think about.I am glad you did it.Wish all good to you and Your creative writing.Hope you will stay tune With us and looking forward to Your NeXT post Anita
Good advice. While I have published a lot of articles, I find that I generally do 7-9 edits of each. Blog posts, not so much! Hang in there--the good news where I live is that I can wear shorts and ride my bike to my office without connecting anyone--and since we all have "private offices" we work and only consult from the doorways. But riding the bike is a nice part, for I am not allowed to make visits to hospitals, shut-ins, etc. Hang in there. Oh, and there's also reading!
Great advice here, CiL...and I understand exactly what you mean. I have lost count of the rejection slips I have collected over the years! I still keep writing though. Because I love to write. I no longer attempt to publish my work, just write what I write for pleasure - and if someone likes my work, then that is a huge added bonus!😊😊 Thank you for a great and inspiring post... I'm sure you will have many people writing now!!
I don't know how people summon the fortitude to edit manuscripts. I might edit and re-edit a short blog post and still find errors after I post it.
ReplyDeleteHappy writing and editing to you as well!
ReplyDeleteHi ACIL - your thoughts will be so helpful to many at this time, and so informative to people like me who are interested. My aim is to read and to write up all the blog posts that are outstanding ... thanks for this - all the best to you and yours during this outbreak - Hilary
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration, Cuban! I hope you're well and that you and your family stay well! It's wonderful to see you on here, again. Keep coming back.
ReplyDeleteA very, happy, productive time to you. Today and always.
ReplyDeleteA fellow who went by the name Ecclesiastes once said men go and come, but Earth abides, and something about nothing new under the sun. I sort of came to a point of realization he was right and decided to more-or-less coast along as the only character in the novel of my own life. My recommendation for reading would be George R. Stewart's 1949 novel, "Earth Abides."
ReplyDeleteBeyond that, the advice you offer is excellent and beneficial, CiL. No matter what goals an individual pursues, having faith in oneself is paramount in achieving them and there is nothing like practice/practice/practice to hone one's skills and to improve one's talents.
To modify David Coverdale's admonition: "Be safe, be happy and don't let anybody (or anything) make you afraid."
Excellent and inspiring advice. While I'm not a writer in the true sense of the word, I've been thinking I need to pull out my old journal. It's been awhile since I put pen to paper.
ReplyDeleteIn reference to the comment above, I read that George R. Stewart novel a few months ago. Along the same line, I could recommend "The Brief History of the Dead" by Kevin Brockmeier.
Hope this time is productive for you!
ReplyDeleteBeing quarantined is like an enforced vacation, so we might as well make the most of it! Writing is an excellent way to spend some of that time. I always expected that there'd be another pandemic, but I never imagined people all over the world stockpiling toilet paper as a response. People are funny, eh? Hunker down, and take care, Mario.
ReplyDelete"we also want a less-polluted literary world". Good one.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy writing and stay safe!
ReplyDeleteGood advice indeed!
ReplyDeleteAt least we get productive like that - though hopefully not for too long...
ReplyDeleteFirst.Iam so happy to see you here again.It is a wonderful post and something to think about.I am glad you did it.Wish all good to you and Your creative writing.Hope you will stay tune With us and looking forward to Your NeXT post
ReplyDeleteAnita
Good advice. While I have published a lot of articles, I find that I generally do 7-9 edits of each. Blog posts, not so much! Hang in there--the good news where I live is that I can wear shorts and ride my bike to my office without connecting anyone--and since we all have "private offices" we work and only consult from the doorways. But riding the bike is a nice part, for I am not allowed to make visits to hospitals, shut-ins, etc. Hang in there. Oh, and there's also reading!
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
and what a better time to start that new novel! (whether able to finish it is another story). :)
ReplyDeleteenjoyed your excellent post.
Well said and well written.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a fluent writer. This post is both inspiring and soothing.
ReplyDeleteStay safe and healthy!
Excellent advice for difficult times (and all times really)
ReplyDeleteI go out a lot, but into the woods, not the city :)
ReplyDeleteGreat advice here, CiL...and I understand exactly what you mean. I have lost count of the rejection slips I have collected over the years!
ReplyDeleteI still keep writing though. Because I love to write. I no longer attempt to publish my work, just write what I write for pleasure - and if someone likes my work, then that is a huge added bonus!😊😊
Thank you for a great and inspiring post... I'm sure you will have many people writing now!!
Have a good day...and be safe!
Greetings from Hampshire!
Thank you for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteLet's all be more active in painting as well as editing old articles that are not good enough to see.
Let's pray that this global epidemic ends soon.
Greetings from Indonesia