The Emotional Process of Writing (as told by headshots of Zeke Meeks)

Those people who say that writing is hard have no idea what they're talking about.

In fact, I have so many creative ideas, I can barely keep them contained!

I'll just sit down and write a story and submit it to our school literary journal. I bet I can win! Now, where to begin . . .

. . .

 

 

Hang on! I think I've got something . . .

 

Why yes, this is great. I've got a main character who is flawed but capable, a poetic voice that stays true to the narrative, and the central conflict of the novel will be based upon the true story I saw on the History Channel in which a 12-year-old girl treks through the Appalachian wilderness to find her way to a long-lost aunt, who has the cure for a deadly disease that is only present in their family's gene pool . . .

If I just start writing it down, I'll be on a roll in no time.

This is looking great! Best thing I've ever written. I mean, that first paragraph?! Amazing!

OH! What a brilliant thought I just had. What if instead of them going to find the cure for their family disease, they . . .

Wait! Don't go, thought! I WAS ABOUT TO WRITE YOU DOWN.

 

'doh.

All right, all right, Zeke. Chin up, bud. Thoughts don't just DISAPPEAR.

 

 

If I just stop thinking about it, it'll come back to me.

Nope. Not coming back.

 

 

A week later . . .

 

I should really get back to that work-in-progress. After all, I had some really fantastic ideas.

I'll just go grab my notebook and get started.

Hang on. This can't be what I wrote . . . it's . . . awful.

 

BLECH! What is this?! Get it away — AWAY, I say!

 

HOW DO PEOPLE DO THIS FOR A LIVING?

What is the meaning of anything anymore?

I'm going to need a moment. *Tries looking at the page again*

WHAM.

Nope. Never mind. TO THE COUCH!

 

— Eliza Leahy

Associate Editor, Trade and Consumer

Comments

[Tina Cho]

How true and very cute!