Miss Potter

Happy Valentine's Day! Last night, dh and I watched "Miss Potter" starring Renee Zelwegger who did a wonderful job. Dh actually liked it very much, but I loved it because it's the story of so many writers' lives. The passion for writing and an interest in the subject of the writing usually
begins early--in childhood.

Thus, we see Beatrix Potter chasing rabbits thru their garden, watching hedgehogs while other girls might have said, "Eeeeeuw" and run off. Practicing, practicing, practicing her drawing. Repeating her stories in her head and to others from a young age. Becoming friends with her characters. Constructing a "dummy" of her books. And finally, going thru the (in-person) humiliation of trying to sell her first book to male editors who thought the books silly in a time when children's books were almost non-existent.

Now, more than a century later, Beatrix Potter is the most highly read and sold author of all time. She lived a life (albeit with more financial security when starting out) that reflects the life of most writers whether they publish, become famous and rich from their work (the exception), or not.

Writers write. Writers think about their characters, their work, and the business of writing all the time. Most important, writers perservere.

There are days when I wonder if it's all for naught. But I can't ignore the story in my head. That's what makes me a writer.