The Book Doesn’t Exist? Then Write It

About time for another Quotable, don’t you think?

“If there’s a book you really want to read but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”

– Toni Morrison

I once read a book, hated how it ended, and started writing my own sequel. Now, this was when I was in elementary school, so I never finished this great Canadian novel – but it does show that what you want to read often drives what you write. It’s what still drives me, and often frustrates me as well when I let this get out of hand.

For example, it’s very easy to think, while in the midst of writing – I would never have the patience to read this scene – and then your writing muscles all seize up and you can’t get another word out. Fear is a very potent immobilizer!

But so very often I pick up my pen (and I do mean a pen, because I often still write out stories longhand) and write because I just want more of certain types of characters, plots and stories.

It offers a very simple solution when you run out the type of books you like to read. No more of that type exist? Then you must write them.

So this quote sums the feeling up quite well! Remember the joy of finding a book you love and aim for that, and don’t fret too much while you’re writing it or it will never get done. And hopefully you will produce something that you love, at least.