Best Book Ever

I find the idea that there’s a single “book of my heart” a little…dreary. It’s akin to saying, “those were the best days of my life.” It’s the forever optimist in me, but, damn it, I want today to be the best day of my life. And, tomorrow, I want it to be better than today. I extend this concept for my books too. I want them all to be books of my heart. Totally and completely.

I need to feel passionate about every one of them. I need to pin all my hopes on them. I need to love and hate and get horribly frustrated with them. I want to write recklessly. As Katherine said, I need each word to be drops of my blood on the page. While I’m writing, I never want to hear the voice in my ear telling me I’ll never sell this manuscript. I never want to fear I’m not good enough.

I want to write for myself and love every minute of it, even when it’s a struggle.

Of course, in practice, I never quite achieve any of that…and realistically, I know I won’t. Just like not every day is the best day ever. Some days are pretty crappy (*gasp*). But the goal gives me something to strive for and that, I believe, pulls me in a general upward direction. If I take a global enough look, I’m generally happier with my life now than I was one, five, or ten years ago. It's the same with my writing. I’m more passionate, more committed, and I push myself harder now than before. And, day-by-day, I strive to make each book more of my heart.