Saturday, January 26, 2008


"There are days when the result is so bad that no fewer than five revisions are required. In contrast, when I'm greatly inspired, only four revisions are needed."
— John Kenneth Galbraith

This photo could be me.

Except I don't wear glasses.

And I'm 20 years older.

And I wouldn't be caught dead drinking from such a tiny, ridiculous excuse for a coffee mug.

Plus, most of the time one hand is typing and one is yanking my hair out.

Strand.

By.

Strand.

And those are on my good days.

Other days I'm ready for the straight jacket, totally and completely.

WHY did I think writing was what I wanted to do?

Because of this:

"There is no agony like bearing an untold story inside you."
Zora Neale Hurston
(Thanks, La La.)

16 comments:

Jerri said...

That's it, my love. Plain and simple We write because not writing hurts so much more than writing.

Sending love your way.

Anonymous said...

Carrie, you were born to write. It IS painful for you not to write. It IS painful for US when you don't write. I LOVE when you write. Keep writing, your writing it so honest, it comes from deep within you. That my friend is what GOOD writing is.

Love.

shauna said...

Oh, so true! I got my masters in creative writing and before children (BC) I wrote all the time! I admire you for writing what's in your heart (instead of those accounting newsletters I'm currently writing. argh). Love the quote, love the description. People think writers have such a glamorous "job," but you nailed it in your post. It's painstaking. I'm cheering for your book (and its author, of course!).

Michelle O'Neil said...

Zora Neale Hurston is my favorite author of all time.

That little cup would probably be okay for tea. Maybe she's drinking tea?

Anonymous said...

Excellent post! Just keep going.
Best wishes

Kapuananiokalaniakea said...

YES!! Like that!

Kathi said...

Try and push through... and get a giant cup of java because I want to read your writing! Plus I never met a writer who didn't say this!

riversgrace said...

Totally agree, especially about the mug, pft!

Like those cans on either end of a string that we talked on as kids, writing is a lifeline, even if we can't always be sure it's working, or sure we can hear anything from the other end. Still, holding the line out for our true voice is kinda worth the agony.

Deb Shucka said...

Plus you write because my days would be not nearly so rich if I couldn't read your words!

contemporary themes said...

Gotta love Zora. She so gets it! THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD is an all time favorite!

Love to you. Love. Love. Love.

Aunt Lupe tells Esperanza in THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET to "keep writing, it will keep you free." So there you have it, keep writing.

Jenny said...

Carrie, you crack me up. I'm so glad you're writing cuz I love reading your words!

Anonymous said...

The untold story can eat your soul right up. That hurts my love. You my dear have always been a truth sayer and therefore must write.

My Own Woman said...

Hey... I love tea.... everyone keeps cracking on the tea!

Carrie, you love to write and it shows. Plus, writing is so much better than keeping things inside and punching your boss....

Jess said...

Lame mug. And please, don't imply that tea doesn't require a good solid BIG mug, too. OK?

I think we write because we have to, yep.

kario said...

Especially when you tell it so damn well. You can't NOT be a writer. Unfortunately, sometimes it really sucks. But when you're on Oprah's couch making her wet her pants from laughing, it'll all be worth it.

molly said...

Been browsing....really like how you write and what you write about.