I Have Writted Some Words July 2, 2007
Posted by Jen in : Journal , trackback“Words, once they are printed, have a life of their own.”
Carol Burnett
Hmmmm… now that’s an interesting concept. It does make sense, kind of. When I write, I know what I mean (usually). But I guess things are filtered through other people’s perceptions which alters them.
Believe it or not, I have actually had a writing weekend. I’ve been spurred on by having some of my words set free in public. Nothing much, just a CD review. But this has led to me being given the go-ahead to write a 500-word feature. Eeeek! Real writing, how utterly scary. Maybe even an interview – with a real person – double eeeek! The odd thing is that, ok, it’s only an album review but it has made me think that I might actually be able to write proper ’stuff’.
So I have!
I toiled away yesterday and finished a piece which I have submitted to the Guardian – serious writing. It might just be self-indulgent, wrist-slashingly miserable twaddle but I did it! I am so brave and grown-up!!
I signed up (and paid for) the dreaded Writers Bureau course about ten gazillion years ago and barely looked at it. But now I’m thinking of Actually Doing It. I have six months to get cracking and get somewhere with this writing lark before I start slaving on my degree again.
Focus. That’s what I need. I’m feeling all serious today, can you tell?
There’s always the possibility, of course, that I actually am crap… Oh, God…
Comments»
Good for you. Publicity is always good.
I paid for the Writers Bureau course too but didn’t do it at the time. The journalism bit always put me off. About time I did it too, I think.
That’s fantastic Jen. It’s brilliant getting any of your words out there -anywhere. As soon as you realise people don’t shout ‘NO, No, that’s crap, and shouldn’t be allowed out…’ you feel better about it. Being brave and taking risks gives you more confidence. I like the sound of the music so I’m going to run off to itunes now…
JJx
Rachel: It would be quite good publicity… I wonder how many people sign up for Writers Bureau and don’t ever do it…
JJ: You’re quite right… it’s a small thing to do but it does help us inch closer to the light at the end of the tunnel. Hope you liked the music – I think she’s fab! Try http://www.myspace.com/katflint
That’s great Jen! Well done for having the guts to do it! I’ve not done any ‘proper’ writing and would love to have the chance. I’m trained in journalism and PR and yet getting a job within those fields is near impossible, hence the blooming retail!
A. W: I am writing through these people – http://myvillage.informe.com/
Have a look – there’s no money in it, sadly, but good experience and they will properly edit your work… will help to build up a portfolio, with a bit of luck.
X
Thank you so much for the link! I’ll check it out!
P.S. There’s an explanation on my blog now about how David B laughed at me.
good for you getting it out there. And I’m sure that “Oh God, what if I suck’ feeling is universal among writers…it probably keeps us all on our toes and makes us better writers….well..maybe..I hope so, anyway!
go …. for ….. it!
Add me to the list of people who signed up for Writer’s Bureau and didn’t do it! Bet there’s millions of us…
Congrats on the “proper” writing too ~ onwards and upwards!
Kate K
I think you’re right, Rebecca – at least we won’t be producing smug writing which really DOES suck!
Rivergirlie: Raaaaaaah!
Kate: Blimey, it’s quite astounding isn’t it? You’d think they would update their 1970s ads with all our money pouring in!
Hey you – well done! Fantastic stuff!
Hi Jen – well done you for doing the review and the guardian thing. Now I’m back off my hols its about time I got my backside into gear and wrote something for the guardian too! (I was going to do it on holiday BUT completely forgot).
Hey, well done – you are indeed brave and grown-up!
Hesitantscribe: Cheers! Just got to keep the momentum up now…
Helen – lovely to have you back. My turn to remind you about the Guardian now then
Zinnia: I just looked in the mirror and have gone back to being a ninny. Brave and grown-up was clearly just a phase…
Brilliant! I hope you get a byline – it does wonders for your confidence to see your name printed by something YOU have written.
And on the public nature of the written word, you are not the first to ponder on what it means. From Socrates to Rolande Barthes, and his Death of the Author, to all the works of the recently deceased Jacques Derrida, the topic has prompted much debate and thought.
Jen, crap writers don’t get a dozen comments for a blog entry. You’re interesting, girl – just go for it. By the way, have you SEEN the quality of most journalistic work? Don’t be so hard on yourself!
DOT: Flippin ‘eck! You get the gold star for brainiest comment on my blog EVER! I’d be quite pleased about the tone finally being raised but, alas, your comment has simply made me all the more interested in the concept and now I need to learn more. I’ll never get my novel written because I’m simply too fascinated by all the stuff thrown up in the process!!!!
Hedgewizard: Oh! I’ve just swigged a couple of glasses of wine without food and your comment has made my eyes prickle… You just managed to say what I didn’t know I needed to hear. Thank you.
In gormless ignorance, I tend to avoid the papers: Sainsburys magazine is as up-to-the-minute as I tend to get. Hopeless really.
Seriously. You made me smile.