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Tuesday, October 9, 2007

A Writing Challenge

Last night, I visited the website of author Elizabeth Gilbert, whose wonderful memoir Eat, Pray, Love has inspired so many. It is, in fact, a book I happen to be in the midst of reading this very week. On her site, Gilbert has a page up with "Some Thoughts on Writing," which, for anyone who's ever pursued a creative art, rings wise and true. Here's the link: http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/writing.htm .

Anyway, in relaying her feelings during the writing of her #1 New York Times bestseller, Gilbert tells us about one of those writing days, a day when she agonized over how terrible she thought her prose sounded. Then, as she explains, she realized this wasn't her problem. She says, "I never promised the universe that I would write brilliantly; I only promised the universe that I would write. So I put my head down and sweated through it, as per my vows."

I absolutely loved this. Because I think she's nailed it.

And so, with her wisdom in mind, I signed up to be part of a writing challenge that begins next Monday: 70 Days of Sweat (see link: http://70daysofsweat.com/wordpress/archives/71). It couldn't have been more aptly named, nor, for me, could it have come at a better time. Thanks to the sponsors of this event (and to "Sven," our hunky personal trainer :), and best of luck to all the participants!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have Eat, Pray, Love on my TBR shelf. I should move it up. Do you read a lot of food-related books? I don't know anyone who ended up going to the Alice Waters thing at the Greenmarket.

And I signed up for the 70 days of sweat last time but of course I punked out. Now you've inspired me to sign up again! I will bully you if you bully me.

If nothing else I have to write some pages so I can say that I met my goal at the meeting next week. I want to win that handful of dollars.

Nadine said...

Timely post for me... I'm in deadline hell, and I should have not procrastinated so much, but it was all in the name of writing "brilliantly" but all I succeeded in doing was to not write for a looooong time. I hope I learn from this.

LOVED Eat Pray Love, btw. Couldn't put it down, esp. the first part in Italy. I kept hoping she'd pick up a hot Italian Stallion...

L.A. Mitchell said...

I loved her comments on writing. Thanks for the link. I wish you much success with your 70 days. You'll be brilliant!

Marilyn Brant said...

Thank you, ladies! And you know I wish all of you well on your writing endeavors, too. Here's hoping we're at least prolific--if not always "brilliant" :-)!

Portia Da Costa said...

Hi Marilyn

How are you doing with the Sweat70 challenge? Are you finding it helpful? I am... I love the boost I get from knowing we're all in this together! :)

All the best

WendyPortia