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July 21, 2012 / diannegray

The Last Unicorn

So true –

“Writing has nothing to do with publishing. Nothing. People get totally confused about that. You write because you have to – you write because you can’t not write. The rest is show-business. I can’t state that too strongly. Just write – worry about the rest of it later, if you worry at all. What matters is what happens to you while you’re writing the story, the poem, the play. The rest is show-business.” — Peter S. Beagle

44 Comments

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  1. Daphne Shadows / Jul 21 2012 7:03 pm

    Very reassuring, thank you. Its a reminder we all need from time to time. 😀

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    • diannegray / Jul 21 2012 7:25 pm

      I really liked this quote and it’s a really good way to say what I would love to say!

      Like

  2. Gracee / Jul 21 2012 7:28 pm

    Wow! A very encouraging word. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. bosanaad / Jul 21 2012 11:08 pm

    Gives one a lot to think about!

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  4. moderndayruth / Jul 21 2012 11:32 pm

    True! I couldn’t agree more!

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  5. halfbakedlog / Jul 22 2012 1:43 am

    I’ve been trying to stop feeling guilty about wasting time writing and just trying to enjoy it. Could work – I’m not big on show business.

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    • diannegray / Jul 22 2012 9:21 am

      Oh no! Never feel guilty about writing or think it’s ever a waste of time – as Hemingway put it “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”
      PS – I really like your bone to pick with language teachers!

      Like

  6. Invisible Mikey / Jul 22 2012 2:34 am

    I share your attitude about it exactly. Writing for fun about what you choose to is also so freeing.

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    • diannegray / Jul 22 2012 9:48 am

      Thank you for the response. Loved the post about Spice – what a wonderful story 🙂

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  7. inkpistol / Jul 22 2012 3:27 am

    Interesting concept! I’m a firm believer in writing for one’s self. Nice post.

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    • diannegray / Jul 22 2012 10:02 am

      Thank you! I was really impressed with your site – you’ve got some great skills. Looking forward to reading a lot more : )

      Like

  8. Jude / Jul 22 2012 3:49 am

    Absolutely agree! I need to write, if anyone buys my books in the future that’s just a bonus!

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  9. Jude / Jul 22 2012 3:49 am

    Many thanks for dropping by my blog with a ‘Like’. 🙂

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  10. robincoyle / Jul 22 2012 3:52 am

    The line “You write because you have to” made me tear up a little.

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  11. jannatwrites / Jul 22 2012 4:03 am

    I believe this as well. If the motive is anything other than an internal need to tell a story, then I think it shows in the story. I also think readers can pick up on this.

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    • diannegray / Jul 22 2012 10:16 am

      Exactly – the motivation should simply be ‘because you have to’ 🙂

      Like

  12. m / Jul 22 2012 8:45 am

    Thats true, very inspiring.

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  13. 1girl4adamwest / Jul 23 2012 9:56 am

    Thank you for sharing! I like!

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  14. draconianstylist / Jul 23 2012 4:15 pm

    I write because I find the act of writing enjoyable.

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  15. Pairodox Farm / Jul 24 2012 10:01 pm

    I think they VERY same thing can be said about photography. You simply have to record images you like … and ignore what people may or may not think about what you’re doing. Thanks.

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    • diannegray / Jul 24 2012 10:46 pm

      So very true. Passion has a way of making those special images and words stand out above others. This is the only real ‘secret’ to success (whether it’s personal or professional)

      Like

  16. bosanaad / Jul 25 2012 4:49 am

    Reblogged this on The Sanguinary Blade.

    Like

  17. dedepuppets / Jul 26 2012 11:11 am

    It goes for all art. You do it because you want to create… If other people enjoy it, it is a bonus, but nobody else will have the same relationship with your art work as yourself. All the emotions that go into the process of creating…

    Like

  18. littletash / Jul 28 2012 6:00 am

    What a gorgeous quote. It needs painting on a big wall somewhere.

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    • diannegray / Jul 28 2012 8:46 am

      Thank you, Natasha! Shout it from the rooftops I say 🙂

      Congrats again on the book deal – I’m already in line for a copy

      Like

      • littletash / Jul 28 2012 4:56 pm

        Aw, thank you, that’s such a lovely thing to say to someone worried she won’t sell a single copy 🙂

        Like

  19. Katina Makris / Jul 30 2012 3:26 am

    writing is the antithesis of publishing to me…..as a creative writer I hang out on the right side of my brain; spatial, feeling based, intuitive, random, instinctive.
    when I have to deal with the publishing domain, I go into a kind of ‘shock’~jumping into the left hemisphere of data, logic, analysis, right & wrongs! so hard to manage the two for some of us.

    thank you for clarifying the distinction Dianne and helping the creative spirits run free!!!

    also, thank you for liking my recent blog post at Journeys in Healing, on “Spirit Calling~Why We Fall Prey to Illness.”

    I hope to make it down to your continent one day with my book and Lyme disease story, as I know the illness is surging in Australia.

    cheers to you and your work. I must get one of your novels!
    Katina

    Like

    • diannegray / Jul 30 2012 9:30 am

      Thank you, Katina. Spiritual healing is something I often think about, but have never really delved into.

      I’m looking forward to reading your book 🙂

      Like

  20. bittercharm / Jul 30 2012 7:01 pm

    I needed to be reminded of this. Thank you for sharing.

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  21. jampadasas / Aug 4 2012 9:18 pm

    Reblogged this on jampadasas and commented:
    Very very true 🙂

    Like

  22. Pat / Sep 12 2012 7:04 pm

    Found this today – at exactly the right moment for me. Serendipity indeed. Thank you.

    Like

    • diannegray / Sep 12 2012 10:43 pm

      I’m so glad! Thank you for reposting on your blog – I’m very flattered 🙂

      Like

      • Pat / Sep 12 2012 11:47 pm

        I’m sure it will be well received here too. 🙂

        Like

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