Just a Thought
Reflecting on the writing process
Aspiring authors in my writers’ group ask why I haven’t tried to get my work published. I’ve thought about it, but I haven’t acted upon it.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about why I’ve only thought about it. Is it that I fear rejection?
No. The reason I haven’t bothered to seek publication is that my authorial aspirations have been realized. They are continually being realized as I write. I’ve always been driven by process over product. As soon as I finish a piece, I begin another.
This is not to say I simply spew, then leave the mess and go off to make another mess. By “finish a piece,” I mean that I polish it until I feel the glow of accomplishment and am proud of the product.
So yes, in that sense the product is as important to me as the process. When I say I’m driven by process over product, I’m referring to the product that might be produced— by way of publication— in approval of my product.
I am a proud author, regardless.
