why I’m writing a book
“Write the book that pulls you out of bed every night like a secret friend, waiting to be met.”
I post this by way of follow-up from my previous post. It’s from Australian author Louisa Deasey.
Louisa – whose book Love and Other -Turns came out a few months back; I haven’t read it but I reckon many of you would’ve – posted this thought on one of my blog posts a while back. It was kind of her at the time. It’s fitting just now.
What a lofty contribution to make! To produce something that sits there quietly, ready for when others need to have a part of themselves reflected back at them, to be met with recognition and the hug of common experience. All creative contributions are just that – expressions not of the author/artist but of the collective. Art or books simply say, “don’t you reckon”? and “don’t worry, you’ve been seen” and “you’re not alone in that thought”.
It’s a lofty aim. But nice to reach for.
Thank you to everyone who shared their questions and answers over the past few days. I’m heartened and just so friggen touched (I hovered for a less cheesy word, I promise I did) by the way we humans reach out to each other. We walk around with impressive, clean masks. But mostly we want to get messy with what lies behind. Thanks for giving me an insight into what’s behind your masks…and for showing me what you see when I scratch away the veneer of mine!
HI Sarah,
I have only recently discovered your blog and am staying up way too late, devouring every word! I too am writing a book & for what it’s worth, my advice is this….don’t write this book for us, write it for you. We teach best what we need to learn most! YOU have a gift, let is flow and I am sure you will produce a book that will have us wanting more of what you are already giving! Thanks for keeping it real! Stace
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I thought about all the books I have on my shelf and applied the principals above to see which one I might pick up.
One book kept coming to mind, a book by a guy who has no veneer, his writing style is self-deprecating humor and brutal honesty. The interesting thing about his book is that it’s about nonreligious thoughts on Christianity, you’d think it would be all bible verses and clichés but it’s not, not one, it’s an insight into the mind and heart of another human being, like me, with fears, skepticism, dark sleepless night, doubt and its comforting to read and feel that I’m sharing not reading.
The subject of the book is about thoughts not points or five steps, I like thoughts.
Being honest is something that I have had to work on.
My girlfriend says that all she wants from me is truth, not truth as in fessing up about impulsive computer game purchases, but living truthfully. Living open, transparent and humble. But it’s hard for me to do, I feel the pressure to hide certain things because I believe that I will be judged, judged for not having my finances together, my career sorted out, that sometimes I’m just plain afraid, but it’s not until I see/read/hear truth that I understand how good it is, and I’m getting there. Truth trumps everything that is a façade (what is with that c <—) and I, personally, think there is nothing better to read than a real account of a human.
I agree with "To produce something that sits there quietly, ready for when others need to have a part of themselves reflected back at them, to be met with recognition and the hug of common experience."and I think that this is a great approach not just for writing but a way to live, just change "produce something that" to "be someone who".
Not really sure what I was commenting on here.
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March 25th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
“what is with that c”
It’s a façade
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March 25th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
Adam, are you talking about the book “Blue Like Jazz” ?
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March 25th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Yep, by Donald Miller, love it!
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March 25th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
Me too, it’s one of my most read and most loved books!
Hi Sarah, I love your blog! Thanks for sharing great insights all the time, I love coming here each day for inspiration!
I was just wondering though, why you don’t credit the photos or pictures you use in each post? I’ve tried looking for information but can’t seem to see it anywhere (forgive me if I’m just not looking in the right place!) The pictures you use are always so beautiful, it seems such a shame that you don’t use the opportunity to promote the artwork & photography of the artists. I’m sure you would like your writing to be acknowledged/credited if someone used something of yours…
Even if the artists have given you permission to use their artwork, it would still be respectful to at least mention their names!
Again, forgive me if they are credited somewhere and I’ve failed to see it.
Please don’t take this as a major criticism, just a constructive criticism (I’m a photographer and graphic designer myself and know the hard work that goes into creating photos and images!).
Thanks again for your wonderful writing, Sarah!
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March 25th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Ella,
This may be only partly useful but put the cursor over the image, right-clikc your mouse, then click “Copy Image Address” or look at “Open Image” above. You might then need paste that address at top of browser to visit that site. It’s not perfect but it’s a good lead. (It looks like the image above is connected to Dries Van Noten SS 2008)
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March 26th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Thanks for the info David, but it only seems to work for that photo, I tried it with other photos and most don’t have a reference to the artist as that one seems to. Besides the fact I just think it’s respectful to acknowledge the artist, perhaps just a very small caption under each photo mentioning who took the photo/drew the picture etc. I visit a lot of blogs and this is pretty common practice. I think it’s quite rare to see a blog using images that are not their own, without crediting the artist. I’m kind of surprised that Sarah doesn’t do it, because she seems like a lovely person and someone who genuinely has respect for others. Maybe she just hasn’t thought about it…
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Elizabeth Gilbert’s TED talk on overcoming expectations. I’m sure you must have seen this. But to me, it sounds like the book is all there. Congrats!
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you are truly an inspiration!
i meant to respond to your last post, but time got away from me. the post that stands out in my mind is the one about giving ourselves permission. it made me realize that i was actually being inauthentic by trying to change myself into something i thought would be better. but in fact, i do ME much better than anyone else; when i’m myself, not only is life easier but tasks are completed more efficiently, with much ease, and with extremely better result. i flourish when i allow myself to just be, tell myself it’s okay and that i don’t have to apologize. are we really better for doing things that aren’t authentic?
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Thank you for this post Sarah : ) I have been trying to decipher why writing fiction is such a struggle for me. I think it may be because the project I am working on is not my “secret friend”… and I am focusing too much on what other people may want to read, rather than what I want (or need) to write.
PS You should definitely read Louisa’s book, it’s excellent! xx
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I completely agree with Stacey! Everything you already write about is inspiring and helpful and im sure that if put your heart and soul into the book its going to just right! And not just for us, for you too x
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