Wrestling the Angel: Will You Quit?

November 27, 2006

Will You Quit?

Don't worry, I'm not quitting writing (although the dearth of posts here may have led you to think otherwise). No, I am merely up to my neck in paid work and haven't been able to spare a thought for recreational writing since early October.

But today I came across a few interesting posts about writers who quit, for one reason or another, and I figured I could take a moment to share them with you.

On Quitting Writing (A Discussion, Not an Announcement)

Quitting

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

Quitting has only ever fleetingly crossed my mind in my darkest moments. But I'm a stubborn gal. I don't give up easily (can you tell from the name of this site?).

How about you?

Posted by Alison at November 27, 2006 04:22 PM | This entry posted in: Why Write?

Comments

JUST THIS MORNING!!! really. i am in a professional short story workshop (meaning its not a class at a college) and i just wrote the suckiest story. i was starting to feel like it was just a stretch and therefore okay for it to be an experiment rather than a publishable piece - then i read it beside the others in my group and it just sucks. and theirs are unpolished and need lots of work, but mine just looked simple and stagnant. so YES. this morning i want to quit. i feel like a wannabe and wonder how in the hell i got to where i thought so highly of my skill. what was i smoking? okay NOW maybe i'll go check out your suggested reading...

Posted by: stacy at November 28, 2006 07:04 AM

My desire to quit stems from the conflict between writing and providing for my family. I have a career, and a good one at that, but it is not fulfilling.

When I think about quitting, I want to cry because I've worked so hard to wedge some writing time into each day for years and to quit is both a release and a shame. Sigh...

In the end, I take a nap (the aforementioned career does not provide much opportunity for sleep... and lack of sleep is the root of all evil - at least for me). When I wake up, I realize I could no more quit writing than breathing. Writing is who I am regardless of all the other "stuff" that goes on in life.

And then, the desire to quit sort of evaporates.

Posted by: Jamie at December 5, 2006 08:54 AM

Hi Alison! I just found your blog when I Googled my name, and I had to comment! First, thank you so much for the profile on me... it is so uplifting to think my words inspired others. I am a very stubborn person when it comes to something I love, whether it's people or interests, and writing is something I will never stop doing, and striving to do better. It all boils down to passion. If it's such a piece of you that you can't imagine living without it, then quitting isn't an option.

Take care, and stop by my blog anytime!

Stephanie

Posted by: Stephanie Bose at December 11, 2006 08:48 AM


Get Blog Posts by E-mail Enter your e-mail address Powered by FeedBlitz RSS Feeds Recent Entries Interview: Annette Gilson Interview: Justine Larbalestier The Elusive Agent Will Write for Chocolate Jane Jeong Trenka: Why She Writes Will You Quit? 13 Ways of Looking at the Novel Profile: Stanley Kunitz Writing from the Heart Memoir: Eat Pray Love Articles From the Stage to the Page An Interview with Annette Gilson	« 13 Ways of Looking at the Novel \| Main \| Jane Jeong Trenka: Why She Writes » November 27, 2006 Will You Quit? Don't worry, I'm not quitting writing (although the dearth of posts here may have led you to think otherwise). No, I am merely up to my neck in paid work and haven't been able to spare a thought for recreational writing since early October. But today I came across a few interesting posts about writers who quit, for one reason or another, and I figured I could take a moment to share them with you. On Quitting Writing (A Discussion, Not an Announcement) Quitting "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." Quitting has only ever fleetingly crossed my mind in my darkest moments. But I'm a stubborn gal. I don't give up easily (can you tell from the name of this site?). How about you? Posted by Alison at November 27, 2006 04:22 PM \| This entry posted in: Why Write? Comments JUST THIS MORNING!!! really. i am in a professional short story workshop (meaning its not a class at a college) and i just wrote the suckiest story. i was starting to feel like it was just a stretch and therefore okay for it to be an experiment rather than a publishable piece - then i read it beside the others in my group and it just sucks. and theirs are unpolished and need lots of work, but mine just looked simple and stagnant. so YES. this morning i want to quit. i feel like a wannabe and wonder how in the hell i got to where i thought so highly of my skill. what was i smoking? okay NOW maybe i'll go check out your suggested reading... Posted by: stacy at November 28, 2006 07:04 AM My desire to quit stems from the conflict between writing and providing for my family. I have a career, and a good one at that, but it is not fulfilling. When I think about quitting, I want to cry because I've worked so hard to wedge some writing time into each day for years and to quit is both a release and a shame. Sigh... In the end, I take a nap (the aforementioned career does not provide much opportunity for sleep... and lack of sleep is the root of all evil - at least for me). When I wake up, I realize I could no more quit writing than breathing. Writing is who I am regardless of all the other "stuff" that goes on in life. And then, the desire to quit sort of evaporates. Posted by: Jamie at December 5, 2006 08:54 AM Hi Alison! I just found your blog when I Googled my name, and I had to comment! First, thank you so much for the profile on me... it is so uplifting to think my words inspired others. I am a very stubborn person when it comes to something I love, whether it's people or interests, and writing is something I will never stop doing, and striving to do better. It all boils down to passion. If it's such a piece of you that you can't imagine living without it, then quitting isn't an option. Take care, and stop by my blog anytime! Stephanie Posted by: Stephanie Bose at December 11, 2006 08:48 AM	What is Wrestling the Angel? Your Host Alison Gresik has been crafting her writing life for the last fourteen years. She is the author of Brick and Mortar, a collection of linked stories. Visit her author blog at www.gresik.ca. Categories Apprenticeship Biography and Memoir Building a Writing Career Family and Friends Feeling Good Fiction about Writers Finding Your Material Getting the Writing Done Interviews and Profiles Making a Living Why Write? Writing Community Search this site:
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