“People on the outside think there’s something magical about writing, that you go up in the
attic at midnight and cast the bones and come down in the morning with a story, but it isn’t like that.
You sit in back of the typewriter and you work, and that’s all there is to it.”
~Harlan Ellison
Belinda Witzenhausen 
But it is wonderful work!
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Yes, it is Linda! Hope you’re well and having a great week! 🙂
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Do we get to hear a bit more from you? It was good that you posted this quote, but I thought I was going to read your commentary on this statement. I take slight issue with our friend Harlan, there is something unique and far-reaching about our writings at times. If nothing else we are inspired many times to write and many of us attribute it to our muse or call it magic. I like the idea that there is a mystery sounding our works, and it is a good thing writers are viewed in this light.
Cheers, Don Greywolf Ford
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Sadly, I just do these for fun and don’t have time to comment on each one.
Although, I agree with you on the “magical” aspect of writing I think Ellison’s “You sit in back of the typewriter” is accurate for some when it comes to being a writer. For me a conversation with a friend who recently decided to become a freelancer, prompted me to post this. My friend was frustrated, they thought it would be “easy” to write full-time, but they’re now struggling a bit. As you probably know, as a freelancer you are often given topics by clients that you may not be “inspired by”. Often the only way to get the job done is to just write and let the act of writing become the muse in some ways. Even when writing for “ourselves”, we can have ideas, create plots, and develop characters but unless we actually sit down to write and to do the work, they remain just “ideas”. Many people go into writing believing it is a piece of cake, that they are inspired at all times and that what they write the first time will be “perfect”. I love writing and will get lost in the moment for hours but often it begins with just staring at a blank screen and feebly attempting to put any words down. When I am having a good day I wholeheartedly agree with you, but on the days I struggle, I have to take Ellison’s advice and get behind the keyboard. 😉 Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, I appreciate it. Wishing you a wonderful day.
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I agree, Don. I like the mystique. The magic lies in the creation itself. We all had friends who struggled with simple 2-page papers for school. I looked forward to essay questions to bring up my test scores! So writing stories and novels must look like magic to some. If writing was always nasty work to me I wouldn’t do it.
Belinda! Nice to hear from you outside of twitter! Thank you for these great quotes. I get a lot of leverage from them, believe it or not, and meet interesting people in discussion over them. Don’t know if you ever see what transpires once we get our hands on your posts!
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Thanks so much Linda, you’ve made my day! 🙂 Hope you both are well and have a wonderful inspired weekend!
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