Comments on: That New Manuscript Smell

By: Jim C. Hines

Jim C. Hines — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:03:01 +0000

@Elias – From one state employee to another, you’re very welcome. Writing is work, no doubt about it, but sometimes it’s easy for us to get so caught up in the work side that we start to forget about the joy and the love that pulled us here in the first place. I need the reminders as much as anyone.

@Adam – Best of luck with the new project!

By: Adam Heine

Adam Heine — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:26:44 +0000

Love this post. I’m starting a new book too, and I feel exactly the same way (except for the bit about knowing thousands of people will read it when I’m done – I’m still working on that part!).

By: Elias McClellan

Elias McClellan — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:05:18 +0000

Mr. Hines, as I aspire to the love/hate relationship so keenly address, I want to thank you for keeping it all in prospective. I have allow myself to wallow in my angst to the point that even my daily flight of fancy (in which I’m published to world-wide acclaim) feels more like my commute to the day gig.

I tell myself that If I get up at 5 every day to make the drive to the office and work on my current story before doing the day begins, I’m a writer; if I don’t get up at 5 then I’m just another State employee.

Like everyone else (I hope it’s not just me) I dream of tremendous success, riches, and oh yeah, the freedom to write full time. Sadly, the idea of writing became last in line to money and celibrity. But as the reality and economics of publishing drive home how unlikely King or Grisham money may be, the idea of writing full time is becoming more important than a crazy-fat bank account.

Thanks for reminding me of why I’m writing without any idea beyond finishing the story. Thanks for reminding me of the pleasure of writing something better than the first draft. Thanks for reminding me of the joy of peer-review and the pain of peer-review that motivates me to write sharper, better, clearer.

Thanks for reminding me to write.