And the Nobel Prize for Literature Goes to…
Howdy, Bubba! Hey, if you're new around these parts, I just want to say how much I appreciate you dropping by! Oh, and you may want to subscribe to my feed. Thanks, and a tip o' the hat to ya!
Sometime back in February, it finally hit me (sound of dull thud): Hey, I’m a writer!
Now you’re probably saying to yourself, “Well, of course you’re a writer, silly – I’ve been reading your wonderful, popular, A-list blog for months now!”
Yes, but… well here’s the thing. Up until then, I never really thought of myself as a writer. Oh, sure, it’s something I always wanted to do (something along the lines of being a spaceman, or climbing Mt. Everest… or keeping my hair), but it’s always been a sort of “pipe dream” thing that never quite made it over the hump to “goal” status. I suppose, to be completely honest here, I never followed my own advice.
In the spirit of giving credit where it’s due, I blame Liz Strauss. Ever since she wrote 7 Traits that Writers Have in Common (this post has 152 comments – how does she do that? I’m not jealous, Liz. Really. I am awed!), I discovered that if these are the common traits of writers, then by gosh, I must be one! How did that happen? (Once again, echoes of yesterday’s post.)
But you know who truly cinched it for me? (Sorry, Liz, it wasn’t you – but you helped!) It was my life and joy, my partner in crime, Mrs. MZM. (I really mean that. Nowadays, whenever anything unusual or weird happens, she turns to me and says, “You should blog that!”)
Now, you have to understand, Mrs. MZM is not exactly a technology buff, although technophobic isn’t the right term either. It’s not that she’s afraid of it; she just doesn’t really, um, like it. Can’t say I blame her, considering my recent bout with technology, but what it means is that she’s what you might call a “late adopter”.
So even though I’ve been writing here at the Zone since June of last year, it was only last week when she finally started reading it. (Luckily she didn’t start with my very early posts, when I really didn’t know what I was doing! Not that I know now - I’m just more experienced at it.) I happened to be in Illinois at the time, and during one of our evening phone conversations, she startled me with these words, “You know, you really are a writer!”
Lemme tell ya, folks, hearing those words from the Love Of My Life was like, well, winning the Nobel Prize for Literature! It’s one thing to have friends or even total strangers tell me my writing is good. And for me to believe it myself is another. But for the one who is the most familiar with me, the one who is literally the best part of me to affirm it – well, that’s just the cat’s posterior meow!
So, the good news is, I guess that Great American Novel can’t be too far away. What’s more, I even have the title for my first book (comment #4, and thanks, Roger, I love it!):
Poke it with a Sharp Stick!
I’m taking pre-orders now, folks, just make the check out to (sound of blunt object hitting back of head)…
p.s. Just so ya know - I didn’t intentionally try to set a new record for how many self-promotional links I could squeeze into one post (6) - it just happened that way!
You know, it would just be absolutely finer than a frogs hair if you would subscribe to my RSS feed!
13 responses so far
Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
Hi Bob, ’cause you are, I’m reading your wonderful, popular blog for months now!
Recognise your moment of “aha - o.k. if you believe I am who am I to argue?”
Last year I published (POD) my first ever, real hardcopy, paperback business novel (written I still think in my typical ‘double Dutch English’). My mother, bless her, was sooo very proud that I finally done ‘it’ she ordered copies for the whole family, and keeps re-reading the thing (72 years old, never had any lessons in English, but ’struggles’ bravely on, page after page and just recently told me she will translate it for me in Dutch, so her coffee friends - 70 72 73 and one of 77 also can enjoy it ;-)).
Is there a Nobel price for translators? I want to nominate her.
Wow, talk about irony. For me the sound of the thud on the back of my head came the other day; my sister picked up on my using the word ‘career’ when I talked about my writing.
I hope you’re enjoying your new perspective as much as I am mine.
Oh, Karin, bless you for the thought! And yes, I think we should expand the categories, so there are more “real-world” prizes. Things like “loyalty”, “honor”, “dedication” - they can never get enough recognition.
Carolyn, we should enjoy it while we can - now we have to actually DO something about it. Yikes!
Nothing wrong with a bit of self-referencing.
Robert, you got the gift and you’re obviously developing the skills rapidly. Where are you going to take this writing thing? WILL people be talking about “that Hruzek novel” in 5 years time?
Hey, Pete! Who knows where this thing will go in 5 years? I’m beginning to think I need a plan… (cue maniacal laughter)
[...] And the Nobel Prize for Literature Goes to… [...]
Darn it, Bob
You’re a writer. Get over it!
Hi Liz! But I don’t want to get over it just yet - it’s still too fresh and exciting! It’s sortof like opening that one last Christmas gift and finding something you least expected and exceedingly wonderful inside. Or maybe like Jed Clampett taking a shot at a rabbit and suddenly finding himself a billionaire. Or even… hmmm, this is giving me an idea…
Bob. You are more than a writer. You are an entertainer. You are a philosopher. You are a keen observer. You are a story teller. You are a shark? (and hell, according to Liz you’re also me at times… creepy…) Oh, and I’ll be the first in line to buy your book provided that there are pop-ups for us illiterate types…
Going for a record for the most number of links in a comment, Tully? You win.
Many thanks for the kudos (blush, blush), I truly appreciate ‘em. I’m just now getting used to thinking of myself in these terms.
As for the book, well, I can’t help but recall Throw Momma From the Train, with me playing the part of Owen. Thank goodness I don’t look like Danny DeVito!
[...] Middle Zone Musings, Bob Hruzek talks about the epiphany that brought him his golden ring in And the Nobel Prize for Literature Goes to. . . Sometime back in February, it finally hit me (sound of dull thud): Hey, I’m a writer! –Robert [...]
[...] and it’s time to re-join the original track. Partially inspired by Bob’s post on his discovery of being a writer (thanks brother), and partially finally kicking MYSELF in the ass to make something happen in terms [...]
[...] and it’s time to re-join the original track. Partially inspired by Bob’s post on his discovery of being a writer (thanks brother), and partially finally kicking MYSELF in the ass to make something happen in terms [...]