I think it’s there. I think you KNOW it’s there.
Hidden. Secretive. Maybe even scary. But it’s there.
I think every author–possibly every person–has one.
THE FORBIDDEN BOOK.
I have three of them, tucked very quietly, very carefully away.
They are the books I don’t write. The books WE don’t write.
They’re not the demanding stories. They’re not the children who throw tantrums, or insist on misbehaving when you’re busy with other things.
They’re the children who sit quietly in the corner. You feel their eyes. Large. Wide. Infinite. Watching you.
The Forbidden Book. It’s the one you don’t write because you know it won’t sell, even if you like the premise. It’s the one that’s so brutally honest it silently hurts. The one that’s not quite politically correct, and you know New York won’t touch it. The one that’s so fringe, you’re afraid nobody else will ‘get it’. The one that makes you shift uncomfortably in your seat. The one you already know the words to, but you’ve deliberately put them out of your mind, like a song you’re trying to forget.
Maybe we all have good reasons for not writing The Forbidden Book. Maybe your book is all about you, the REAL you, and it’s too painful. Too personal. Maybe it’s the one you’re sure your editor/agent/family wouldn’t like, or it’s in a genre you’re embarrassed to approach. Maybe it’s too fantastic. Too real. Too dream-like. Too raw. Maybe it’s about love, or hate, or disappointment. Or death.
But you have a forbidden book. You know you do.
There are bits and pieces of it in the things we DO write–diaries, blogs, novels, memoirs. But barely a touch, an occasional nibble at the edge. We’re aware of it even as we avoid it, tell ourselves we can’t quite get there. There’s just a taste, a brief scent of it as we gladly hurry away.
But we know it’s there. KNOW it.
Should that book ever be written?
It could become a best seller. Because it’s genuine. Real.
Or, it might explain the hidden ‘you’ to those who mistakenly think they know you. (This may or may not be a good thing!). :poof:
Or, you could write it, thinking you’ll get it out of your system, and leave it to rot in a drawer.
Don’t fool yourself.
It won’t go away. Can’t. It will haunt you forever, like the shadow you cast on the wall.
I intend to write my three books–one day. Hopefully one day soon.
How about you?
I have a Forbidden Book. It has approximately 100 pages. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever written. I told a writer friend recently (we were tossing ideas back and forth) and I said, I just can’t finish it. Why? because either a) I’m afraid I’ll get it all wrong or b) I’m afraid I’ll get it all right. If I get it right, if it sells, I’d have to throw a very personal part of myself out there in the universe. Remember that part about family not liking it? Yeah, that part.
I ahve a coupl eof those in my head. But I haven’t started them yet. I do thinkI will write them someday. Just not sure when.
I acutally started one of those recently – and I’m having a freakin’ blast. But then I do think – holy crap – what will my family think about this one? But then I start having too much fun to care.
But I do feel that way about Jake’s book too – which is why I keep putting that one off. Poor guy.
Many thanks, ladies, for your honesty–and for sharing with us.
Bet they’ll be the best books you’ll ever write.
Great post. I’m trying to decide if I have a hidden book. I know I have some ideas that I’ve jotted down that I’m convinced would get me laughed right out of NY. I’m just not sure I’d call them forbidden. Hmm…
Maybe it’ll surprise you one day, Jordan.
I have a couple of those. Maybe one day I’ll pay attention so they can come out of the corner.
Can’t wait to read ‘em, Mechele. :smile:
I am finding out a lot about myself this year. Maybe along the way, I will find my Forbidden Book.
Hi, Sandy!
If you’re delving into self–you’ll definitely find your book.