He was talking about East of Eden, which we all know turned out to be a great success. He had no way of knowing this, of course, during the time he was writing it. In fact, he said, "This book will be the most difficult of all I have ever attempted. Whether I am good enough or gifted enough remains to be seen."
Using his words as a guide, my Thursday Two Questions are:
1. If you knew nothing would emerge from your work in progress, would you continue to do it? Why or why not?
2. What are you working on now?
That's it. Just leave your answers in the comment section below.
And if you want to enter your own blog in Thursday Two Questions, visit its host Blessing Reflections for instructions, or follow the link below.
22 comments:
Oh yes, I would keep writing. I don't write to be rich, or to be the next Great American Novel. These are great things. I WANT people to read my books, and be intrigued by my weird visions, but that's not what I'm really writing for.
I'm writing because I need to. I have to get these stories out of my head and into the real world.
I'm currently working between two manuscripts. One is the sequel to All Hallows Blood, so it's mostly just polishing at this point. The other is in first draft, a fantasy romance about a young woman finding that balance is better than extremes, and that the dark isn't all that bad.
Raven Corinn Carluk
Hi Raven. I so know what you mean about writing because you need to. Your manuscripts sound intriging and seem to parallel mine. All Hallows Blood (I have a Halloween scene in my third novel, BETWEEN YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW), and a woman finding that balance is better than extremes(somewhere in THE BETWEEN) and that the dark isn't all that bad (My third novel, BETWEEN DARKNESS AND DAWN, touches on that theme). I believe our work have common threads. Thanks for stopping by.
If you are talking about "knowing" in the prescient sense, no I wouldn't keep working on it because I wouldn't want to waste my time on the output of "nothing". Currently I've still got my NaNo novel from last year on the back burner and a couple of non-fictions. I've gotten sidetracked and must get focused back on this work.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Hi Arelee. I understand that writing a novel or a work of non-fiction is a big commitment, taking time away from family, friends--and life. So, if I knew for certain that nothing would come of it, yes, I think I would not pursue it. Yet... I would still write. And the work I've done on my four novels have helped me grow as a writer and as an individual. I believe that much of my fiction is written as part of my search, my journey, my reaching out into the unknown for answers. Maybe it's good writers can't forecast the future, because we would miss out on a lot.
I would absolutely continue with a project no matter the outcome. When I have an idea, I roll with it and always complete it.
I just within the last couple of weeks finished a book project so right now I'm not working on anything, that is, until the mood strikes.
#1. This is a tuffy, but I believe I would continue to write my "going nowhere" story as long as my ideas continued to flow beautifully. That creative energy needs to be harnessed and while my "going nowhere" story may never work out, I can use what I've written elsewhere. Who knows, it may give birth to "going somewhere" story by sticking with the "going nowhere" manuscript til the end.
# 2 I'm currently working on a second early readers children story, which I hope to use in a series. My first children's story, THE TALE OF OLE GREEN EYES, will be coming out very soon and the story I'm writing has the same characters and location, while introducing some new characters. It's a cute story I think young children would enjoy. I know if I were a tat younger then I'd like it. But...then again, I may be a bit bias. =D
http://cathykennedystories.blogspot.com
1) Well, no.. I would not continue with something, knowing nothing comes out of it.. In fact, I believed that there is always something which comes of something so to be more specific, there isn't such a thing known as nothing.. :)
2)I am working on my writing.. Yeah, as you know, about my dream.. I am going to keep writing, and writing.. :)
Saying that nothing will emerge from a current work in progress is interesting in itself. Do we mean nothing as far as financial success? Nothing as far as sales? Those things are not necessarily a measure of "nothing" or "something". Sorry, my philosophical side is emerging today. :)
To answer...
1. Yes, I would continue with my WIP. I write because the characters have something to say. I give life to their voices. If I don't let them speak, they continue to chatter in my head and it gets rather unnerving. :)
2. I'm working on the third book in my Michael Sykora series. No title as of yet.
Hi Poetic Shutterbug. I'm glad to hear you've finished your book project. What a feeling of accomplishment that must be. Catch up time!
Hi Cathy. Love the title of your story, "Going Nowhere." You just never know where the writing may lead. Except if you don't write it down, of course. Then you'd truly be going nowhere. Let me know when "The Tale of Ole Green Eyes" comes out. I'd love to read it to my granddaughters.
Good for you Krislin. It seems on that we all agree. We may or may not give up on a project going nowhere, but we would keep on writing.
Hi Darcia. As Krislin said, there is always something that comes of something (also rather philosophical, I'd say). I'm interested in learning more about your Michael Sykora series. Third book, that's great!
If I had the desire to do something I am the type that would have to finish it to the bitter end. My outlet is not writing but I feel crafts would qualify for the same question.
I am trying to make a rollup to hold some vintage crochet hooks my mother in law gave to me. I don't crochet but I want to honor them.
Great post.
I am not sure what will come about many things, for example (2)my blog... (1)Still I continue to do it because I like it 80%. So given the percentage, it is a "keep going". For me, anything below 50% is questionable. Smiles. Thanks again for bringing another great book and questions to Thursday Two Questions.
Crafts would definitely apply for the same question. I used to create ceramic pieces and porcelon jewelry and was amazed at how much I crafted, far more than I could sell (at a profit, anyway). But that didn't stop me. The joy of seeing the finished product was enough for me. I often ended up giving the pieces away. And I know what you mean about your mother's vintage crochet hooks. I have my mother's, too, and treasure them, along with her knitting needles. Talk about art! She knitted and crocheted some amazing pieces for absolutely no profit other than making others happy.
Self Sagacity. Your blog looks great to me. Another craft, as far as I'm concerned. A person has to like doing it (okay, at least 80%), or the likelihood of quitting is high. A blog is very, very time consuming, and it takes a lot of patience (as if you didn't already know). I sometimes feel like a tree falling in a forest with no one there to hear (a subject of a future blog post). I'm really enjoyed Thursday Two Questions. Glad to to be on board.
1. Yes. A lot of creative things I do were all important for me. If it becomes important or meaningful for others too, the that is a bonus!
2. I am completing a book, an exhibit, creatives for a senior citizens group in my community and my dogs holiday cards.;-)
Hi Lui. Yes, having our creations become important to others is the ultimate compliment and reinforcer, but we continue regardless because we love what we do. It sounds like you have a variety of interesting projects going. Good luck with all.
Our blog is a work in progress, and we have no idea where it's heading, but sharing the beauties in this world is well worth it for us.
We're working on earning enough money with blogging to help send a child to school with our blog!
Hi DoanLegacy. How wonderful that your blog has a dual purpose, sharing beauty and helping a child. I wish you much success.
Hi Margaret,
For me, writing is breathing, and the outcome isn't all that important. It just soothes my need, my urge, and my desire to write..
I'm currently working on putting pieces of my journal together, though time is so limited, and life always seems to lead me into different direction.
Hi Icy. Ditto for me. Writing is like breathing. And journals are treasures! I'm curious what you're planning with yours. Happy writing.
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