Reflections On Writing by Joni Marie Iraci
I hadn’t written in months when suddenly the muse hit. Lately, I’ve been writing every day. In spite of the difficulties surrounding the process, I persist. In spite of the unlikely prospect the work will ever be published, I persist. Prior to this current spark of creativity, I spent months submitting finished manuscripts to various small presses. I was driven by the obsessive need to see my book on a shelf somewhere. I submitted far and wide; I waited and I wait still. For months, rejections trickled in. Not one offered any constructive reason why they didn’t take my work. “Not for us” seemed to be the universal response. Many never bothered to respond.
Writers and authors are a disrespected lot until they find the words that fit into the right mold, until they hold the marketing ticket giving way to best-seller material. It’s not really about the words at all, not even about the story told, it’s all about the bottom line. The whole process of submission and rejection reminds me of the story of the troll under the bridge who won’t permit passage unless the magic words are spoken. Only the troll has knowledge of the words. Only a literary agent or publisher know the “magic words” that will turn the key and open the world of literary accomplishment.
So why would anyone keep repeating the same task, pursue a writing career, or ever put their fingers on the computer keys to create a story when the likelihood of any kind of accolade or reward is rare? Because it’s a passion. It’s powerful. Writing a story on a once empty page is empowering and when the ideas are gushing forth, it feels almost God-like. As a writer, I can mold a character out of nothing, create a world never seen or heard of before; I can kill a character off and then change my mind, press delete, and go back and instantly resurrect them. No other profession permits one to take such liberties.
