Hi people,

I've just got back from a retreat where I finished my novel first draft (hoorah!) and also got to spend a lot of time reading books about creativity, etc. I wanted to share this quote from Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird (a very good and funny book on writing - Lamott is a writer and writing teacher):

All that I know about the relationship between publication and mental health was summed up in one line of the movie Cool Runnings, which is about the firat Jamaican bobsled team.... [The] team are desperate to win an Olympic medal, just as half the people in my classes are desparate to be published. But the coach says, "If you're not enough before the gold medal, you won't be enough with it." You may want to tape this to the wall near your desk.

Cath

Cath

Interesting line. But the 'gold medal' is getting readers and having some kind of impact, isn't it? Getting published must only be the start (but a big leap if it's the first time). But I think I get what she means - it's the work that counts, first and last.

Joe

She's saying if you don't feel you're worth enough as a person before publication, you won't afterwards. In other words, external factors, such as literary 'success' won't have any bearing on your self esteem - it has to come from within.

Cath

It's a great saying, but surely recognition of one's efforts will most certainly improve one's self esteem?

Sorry to be anal, but you know...

JB

Maybe temporarily, JB, but the point is that true self esteem has to come from within and not from external factors. Otherwise why are there still loads of famous, wealthy and successful people who are obviously still miserable or still striving constantly for more attention and approval?

Cath

Um...because they want to be with me and can't?



I get the point though. Very astute.

JB