It has come to my attention that all bloggers dream of writing a novel. Yes, that includes you. Don't lie. I know you have a few ideas rattling around your head.
I must confess that I have begun work on several novels. This usually happens after reading something phenomenal (like Harry Potter) and thinking "I can do that!" Alas, I realize just how many words are on a page and the novel dies...so tragic.
I have recently decided to retool my goals and work on a novella. Some of my favorite books are this format (The Awakening, Heart of Darkness). However, the subject of what to write about always comes up. The devil is in the details.
Fiction. This would be my primary goal. I want to be simple, clear, poetic, and profound. Nobel Prize for Literature please! I really enjoy fantasy, but I have been influenced the most by classic literature (Austin, Dickens, Bronte, etc.). Of course, I want to be clever and write something chock-full of allegory and symbolism, yet I don't want to be obvious. So challenging!
Memoir. I do love a good memoir. Some of the best works I have read have been narratives of some personal tragedy. They are tales of love, loss, and redemption. Unfortunately, I have very few dramatic events in my life. Not to say that I have not been through some trying times, I just don't think they compare to the extraordinary lives of others. Also, I have no conclusion. No period of my life with a defined enough timeline to write a story about. I fear the best I could produce is no more than middle class whining...the harrowing account of the time Fossil sold out of the sweater I wanted will not elicit empathy.
Poetry. No, just no. I will not pretend to have the talent.
Self-help! I may have struck gold here! I can write about improving your life. Making a book about how YOU can be fabulous, rich, and perfect. Okay, my conscience would never allow that to happen.
Business-lit. Hmmm...I am not quite succesful enough to do that.
Theology. I love theology. In fact, it's a bit of an obsession. I will admit it's probably unhealthy. I want to know why people (including myself) believe what they believe. I just don't think I have anything useful to add to current discussions.
As you can see, I just have no idea what to write. I wonder if I should just publish this blog in book form...now there's an idea.
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3 comments:
"It has come to my attention that all bloggers dream of writing a novel. Yes, that includes you. Don't lie. I know you have a few ideas rattling around your head."
How did you know my secret?
You're right though, I've got a few ideas rolling around there. I've started a few too... maybe one day I'll finish. Blogging though has sort of ruined it for me, though. It's so immediate. Writing a book is slow work.
Theology! Admittedly, I am a little biased. I've not written a non-theological paper in.... well I don't think I've ever written a non-theological paper! Haha. I'd say the easiest way to write is to start from a topic that interests you, rather than trying to start with genre/style/medium. Then just let it develop!
Sigh. Es la verdad. But I do know what I want to write about, I'm just not there yet. Practiceland, maybe?
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