July 1, 2008
Writing with Heart
Written by EmilyMcKay in Jaunty PostAs I’m typing this, my husband and I are watching a movie called Be Kind Rewind. The premise is simple: a couple of guys working in a video shop accidentally erase all the tapes. To keep their boss from finding out, they remake the movies themselves. The renters end up enjoying the homemade movies a lot, because they’re made with heart. The whole community gets involved making their own movie.
The movie was fun (but not necessarily great), but I liked the basic premise that people should be involved in art. Even if you’re not an expert or a professional, there’s something to be said for emotion you bring to project. You don’t have to be ready to play in Madison Square Garden to be able to sit down at the piano in her living room and bring a lot of joy to your family and friends.
I hope that even though I am published (and therefore a professional writer), my work still has heart. However there is definitely something to be said for the unbridled enthusiasm of the amateur writer. At a party over the weekend, I was chatting with some of my husband’s coworkers who dabble in writing. They don’t angst over the work the way I do. They just enjoy it.
Of course, for all I know, when I’m talking to folks at a cocktail party, it seems like I really enjoy it too. But how much I enjoy or don’t enjoy writing the synopsis that won’t end is the topic of some other blog. For now, I leave you with the question: how many of you are budding novelists yourself? And for the rest of the Quills, do you ever miss the days when you weren’t doing this for money?
1:00 am | Share This
Shana Says:
I was thinking about watching that movie, Emily, but if you’re writing during it, I’m thinking it wasn’t riveting.
I do miss the days when writing was just something fun that I sat down to do when I felt like it. There weren’t page goals or progress spreadsheets. But then again, after my first rough draft, I’ve taken writing very seriously, so I don’t know that it was ever just fun for me.
Good blog!
Margo Maguire Says:
It’s a double-edged sword. I hate deadlines, but I work best under pressure. I can’t win!
RobynDeHart Says:
I have a newfound appreciation for being a professional writer so I find I’m not very wistful of the writer I was 4+ years ago. And like Shane, I’ve always been so structured that I’m not sure it was ever pure fun for me. I know that now whenever I hear a writer talk about how fun they’re having, I figure they’re either (a) lying, (b) too new to know better or (c) not working hard enough.
I don’t think that makes me jaded, just experienced. I still have fun writing, well, maybe not with the actual writing (at least not too often) but there are many aspects of this job that are a total blast. And regardless of how difficult it is or how crazy it can make me, I wouldn’t trade it for any other job in the world. So yeah, I’d say I’ve still got heart in my writing.
Great post, Emily.
Dorothy Says:
I’m not a budding writer. I can barely make an email to my sister interesting.
However, I do appreciate all the hard work, talent and heart that all of you authors bring to your work. Without you, I wouldn’t have books to read and places in which to escape.
EmilyMcKay Says:
Margo, I hear you. I definitely work best on deadline. But i wish I could be less crazy while under deadline.
Fedora Says:
What Dorothy said! I’m not a writer (and don’t really aspire to be one) but I sure do appreciate the fruits of your labor! Thank you!!