I have to get an eye exam tomorrow. It’s against my will, but if I want to purchase another year’s worth of contacts, then into the chair I must go. Forty-five minutes, they told me. That’s as long as it should take, but the last time I was there, I swear it was for two hours. And the time before that, with another eye doctor? I think I remained locked in his basement exam room for almost three hours. He rambled. I sweated. Later, I learned his son had been arrested for performing an exorcism that turned violent against a young boy.
Right. I should just wear my glasses all the time.
The Gentleman and Great Talent, Bill Willingham, took some meager words from my blog/twitter and spun them into something far more useful and grand, which you can read over at the Clockwork Story Book. I especially like this:
Humility is all well and good, and a character trait much to be admired. But it has limited use to a writer. If I don’t have enough ego and confidence to believe I have an interesting story to tell, then why am I wasting everyone’s time by jumping up on the metaphorical stage and shouting, “Give me your money, your time and your attention for as long as I want it, because I have a great story to tell you!” That is an act of bravado bordering on arrogance.
This business isn’t for the timid. Writing is an act of leadership, and no one follows an overly timid leader. When you write, bring your swagger. Bring your confidence. Bring your pizazz.
I am feeling just a bit pizazzy tonight, I must say. Must be the good living.