"There is no good writing; there is only good rewriting."

Who said it?

Well, Justice Louis Brandeis of course. You knew that, you say. Was on the tip of your tongue, yes?

This month's issue of The Writer Magazine has a quick blurb by Noelle Stern on writer's block (and no, I won't capitalize it, for you or anyone). Ms. Stern quotes His Honor as a way of dispelling all the excuses you can think of and make you feel guilty for having thought them.

No, that's not her intent. I added that inference for you.

But the quote made me think. I wrote 1,000 words this past Friday night - my first writing other than the previous blog post since 6/30/09. That's right; and from the same guy who quoted Harper Lee on Facebook today. I'm not proud it has gotten away from me for such a length of time, but I do know why.

I've been getting killed at work.
I'm stressed.
I have three young and demanding children.
Blah, blah, blah.

I can't tell you how many people say, when we get around to discussing writing, "Oh, I've always thought I'd like to try that."

And I think of Jedi Master Yoda from a certain iconic trilogy. "Do or do not. There is no try."

"You should try," I say instead. And that's when the reasons come - reasons why one cannot. I know them. I've used them. I'm angry at them.

The one that bothers me most is, "It won't be any good." It certainly won't, but that's beside the point. I started out intent to write a novel. I wouldn't be satisfied with short works or scenes to polish style or dialogue or to practice building characters or weaving together plot. I was afraid I couldn't wrap things up nicely in 2,000 words. No, not me. I'd need 80,000 at least.

Was the first draft of my first novel good? Are you kidding me? Of course not. Alas, my rewriting (see this entry's title) has been slow and slowed further by the rampant idea for my second novel, a new job and the myriad excuses above.

Write because writing is fun. Write because it is difficult and rewarding. Write because it isn't television or Facebook or the demands of job and family. Write because it is escape. I will. I do.

By the way, anyone in or from the 'East Bay' interested in contributing to a joint blog/literary journal on reading and writing? Any topic therein is on the table.