the craft. to have written.

“I dislike writing but love to have written.” - Dorothy Parker (Maybe)

I was asked recently what keeps me showing up to the page. Essentially, a question on my discipline with writing, because, honey, there are so many things I’m writing all the time. But the truth of it is, writing is actually one of my favorite things to do. Well, I should say that carefully because sometimes it’s hard as hell. But I think the above sentiment brings it together pretty well. I love to have written. And occasionally there is that bit of joy in the process when I find just the write word, or convey a level of emotion, or pull a plot point together.

The only way to have a finished product is to write. I mean, unless we’ve figured out a way to write books, articles, and stories by osmosis. Listen, in this week’s podcast (new episode on Tuesday), I’ll be talking about Artificial Intelligence and maybe that will be it. The moment we will all have been waiting for to tell Chat GPT what we want to write about. However, in the meantime, the only way the work is getting done is when we decide to sit down to the page and put some words together.

But that is somehow not the easiest thing ever, now is it? I mean we have responsibilities and families. Many of us have other jobs that actually pay the bills because writing can be a bit stingy on the pay. Then, outside of the very real things that distract us, there is also the internal battle. Am I really a writer? Is what I put together going to be any good? Will I get an outcome from this pitch or whatever the struggle is for you. And so, we find that writers will do everything else in their power except sit down and open up a notebook or laptop.

When I do though, when I’ve gotten all of the nonsense out of my system and make a warm cup of tea and light incense or a candle, I’m excited to get wrapped up in the world of storytelling, characters, and make believe.

This week provided multiple reminders for me that writing is such a long game which you’ve heard me say before. But it’s so easy to think that you’re going to write something amazing and sail off into the sunset. Writing is work. Hard work. Writing takes time. Years even, to get the thing written. And building a career and legacy takes a lifetime.

What will not change though, I don’t care how smart computers become, is the need to do the work of writing.

I sat in a class this weekend that only reinforced how much more I need to write for my TV and Film portfolio. It was exhausting thinking about it. But much like everything else, it’s about chunking it down and getting to work. I have about four or five chapters left in a manuscript revision pass before I send that over to my agent. Once that’s done, I’ll get lost in the script writing world for a little bit. For quarter two.

Writing, writing, and more writing. But isn’t that the point of it all? Don’t we sit here because we want to be writers? That, my friend, is the job. The more you write, the better you become. The more refined your voice. You can’t go over or under it, you have to go through.

I’ve not known love without suffering. Love, in many ways, has some hurt in it doesn’t it? Even if it’s losing what or who we love. And so, the love of writing comes with a lot of uncertainty. Can I actually write a book that matters or moves any kind of needle? Am I clever? Has this already been said this way before? I both love writing and suffer in it at times. But that’s oddly the human condition. Duality is indeed a thing.

We want the accolades. We want the press articles and the long and short lists, but the only way to do that is to finish the thing. Why am I so adamant about my writing? Because it’s what I hope to do. It’s a gateway to all the things I’ve decided I want out of my life. Because I don’t have time to waste. Because my best friend in high school told me about a short story she wrote called Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream and every thing I complete feels like I’m giving her the chance she never got to give her writing to the world. So I show up to it. Early in the mornings, before I have to dedicate ten hours to someone else’s vision and dream. Because I know what it is to have written, and so while hard and stressful to carve out the time, I make it happen to keep chasing the dream. Because showing up for my writing is showing up for myself and I’ve decided that I’m worth it.

In our office hours this week, we’ll talk about your plans for quarter two, help support one another as always and field any questions you may have. Look forward to seeing you then! Friday, March 31, 1pm ET/10am PT. You’ll automatically be sent a reminder as a part of the Permission Granted community.

Writing/Job Opportunities

Applications are open for the Barrell House Writer Camp, a short writing retreat in Central, PA. Designed for all genres and experience levels, writer camp is a mini-vacation with meals, campfires, creeks, and conversation included. Learn more and apply at http://writer-camp.com.

Paige DiFiore is seeking pitches for reported features or investigations on travel, cruises, unique living situations, weddings, food/restaurants, TV, or interior design for Insider, Inc. pdifiore@insider.com.

The Ben Bagdikian Fellowship Program is accepting applications for fellows and offers a crash course in investigative journalism. Fellows at Mother Jones dive deep into every aspect of a national multimedia outfit—covering breaking news, assisting and conducting investigations, ensuring accuracy and impact, and seeing from the inside how awards are won.

Motherboard is always accepting pitches. You can read their guidelines and send a pitch!

Netflix is hiring a Manager, IP Scouting, Film. (London)

The Los Angeles Times is seeking reporters to join our growing team of journalists working on Latino Initiatives with a focus on building relationships with the Latino community.