In tune

The story I am writing exists, written in absolutely perfect fashion, some place, in the air. All I must do is find it, and copy it. ~Jules Renard

This quote has become one of my absolute favorites about writing, because while at times it's definitely hard work, in the best moments I feel much like this, as if the characters that I'm fleshing out and the story that I'm putting down on paper are already alive somewhere, and maybe they've been waiting a long time for someone to hear their voices and bring them to light. I find that it's those shining moments of clarity that make this worth it, especially when the months pass and your answer of "I'm writing a novel" starts sounding less and less impressive to people, and you start to feel sure that one by one they're becoming convinced that nothing will ever come of it.

Well, writing partners are good saving graces, too, of course. ;)