Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The Dentist of Writing

Some people REALLY hate going to the dentist. I'm not one of them. Of course, I've had very few cavities in my life, and I do hate getting those filled. But the regular checkup and cleaning, I'm okay with. (I'm going today, in case you were wondering. Hoping for no cavities again...)

What does this have to do with writing? There are parts of the process that people really seem to hate. Maybe it's getting that really tough feedback and having to revise a big chunk of your book, or maybe it's writing the synopsis, or sending out the query... it varies from person to person.

But the truth is, if you want a "healthy" manuscript and writing career, every step is necessary. Not just the so-called fun ones, but the ones you might not like as much. Some people actually learn to like and enjoy the whole process, though perhaps in different ways. I do think that's possible, even though it might be hard. Others may only be able to come to tolerate parts of it. But the point is, you have to do it. All of it. You have to brush and floss, and all the little things that aren't too bad. And you have to go to the dentist--even if it's because of a cavity, or heaven forbid a root canal. You have to fix the problems. Or else your teeth will eventually rot out of your head, and the only way to salvage the situation is to get rid of 'em all and go for dentures. With all of that icky paste and the toothless grin at night and all of that stuff. Ew. You don't want to have to go there, right?

Hmmm, this analogy might be kind of out there. Oh well. I have to go to my appointment now, so it's what you get. ;)

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2 comments:

ali cross said...

Haha, that was awesome. I have never in my life thought of writing as it relates to dentistry but . . . you managed to pull it off! Here's to a no-cavity checkup!

Elliot Grace said...

...excellent analogy! Going to the dentist is an acquired taste...which I've yet to conquer:)

EL