Monday, February 4, 2019

Alone in a Room by Kent Harrington

I've been reading some of the old essays about writing that helped me as I was growing into a proper writer and this one by Kent Harrington is a beauty.  I'm still not a proper writer as I haven't been writing much for the last few years.  Always starting, rarely finishing, and never submitting even though I see markets that stir the juices.  Right now I'm working my way back to my joy.

8 comments:

Manuel Royal said...

Really interesting essay; I'm going to have to go over it again more slowly.

Hope you find your way back to joy, Sandra!

sandra seamans said...

Yes, there's a lot to absorb there, Manuel. And thanks!

pattinase (abbott) said...

It is so very hard when life deals you a bad hand. It is hard even when life is good to you. Four years in hell should be enough but not yet apparently.

sandra seamans said...

I always follow the saying that God never gives you more than you can bear. But sometimes you wonder where your breaking point is, Patti.

Kathleen A. Ryan said...

It’s a terrific piece, Sandra—thank you for sharing it. Kent dispenses some hard-earned advice. Very best wishes to you, hoping 2019 will be wonderful to you & your family ❤️

Elizabeth said...

Great essay, but I wonder if Kent Harrington knows the picture is of Paul Gauguin.

I didn't write much for a few years & still don't. About a year ago I wrote what I thought was my best short story ever, for a contest. The story that won the contest was absolute garbage. I couldn't think of another market for my story, so I didn't even look at it for a year. Two weeks ago I read it again & sent it out ... and no rejection notice yet!

Bright blessings to you, Sandra! I hope things go better for you from now on.

Leroy B. Vaughn said...

Thanks for sharing the essay Sandra.

Back in the 70's, I had a buddy that was a free lance magazine writer. He was always facing a deadline and running late, but he sold several pieces.
One day we went out for a few beers and he told me that he had found the best writing job in his life.
He worked at a place he called a porno factory. He actually punched a time clock and got paid by the hour to write erotica.
I asked if he was satisfied with his writing and he told me that he had just finished a 100 page book, without using the word throbbing.

sandra seamans said...

Thanks, Kathleen.

Yes, he did, Elizabeth. He mentioned it in the first paragraph. Some stories just need to be sent out a few times before they find homes. Good luck with your submissions!

Writers find their writing joy in many different places, Leroy. :)