The Los Angeles Times blog – Jacket Copy, had a great post on a new volume that’s come out titled “First We Read, Then We Write: Emerson on the Creative Process,” by Robert D. Richardson. Of course the Emerson he’s referring to is Ralph Waldo, whose thoughts on writing have been collected from letters and essay by Richardson.

The best single bit of practical advice about writing Emerson ever gave — best because it is a cry from the heart, because it focuses on attitude not aptitude, and because it is as stirring as a rebel yell — is this: “The way to write is to throw your body at the mark when your arrows are spent.”

This was a phrase I had to read twice, as literary theory and analysis from my college days have been unwillingly replaced by a foray in service journalism. When it finally sunk in, it made so much sense. “The way to write is to throw your body at the mark when your arrows are spent.”

In other words, go all the way, push yourself all the way, until there’s nothing left.

This is how I feel about almost every aspect of my life, except maybe  laundry and cleaning. I will exercise the utmost degree of lazyness I can muster in regards to the aforementioned things, but when it comes to writing, to the creative process, to even baking and most certainly relationships, I want to go all the way with as much passion, ambition and drive I can conjure up.

This reflection brings up two important things I’ve been thinking about a lot: my reasons for writing and landing an assignment.

For the former, I have many reasons – it’s what I love, where I belong, where I give 110 percent, where it’s not a job, not even a career, but a full fledging burning passion that I can’t ignore. For the latter, it’s something I’ve been struggling with lately. I have too many ideas, not enough outlets and a lack of responsive editors all standing in the way.

As an editor, I get a lot of emails from writers, most of which are cordial, and a handful which are so irritating and annoying. I disregard my feelings however and reply to them, because when I put myself in their position, I wouldn’t want an email I’ve sent to go unanswered forever. While I understand that editors are national and local publications receive hundreds of emails from people just like me, it just doesn’t seem right that even after at least two follow ups, they still don’t respond. I don’t need a “yes,” I just need a reply-either way. It baffles my mind.

I have one story lined up and due in the summer which I’m excited about, I’m working hard on my own ezine, ianyan, trying to use this place as an outlet, all the while working a 40-hour a week editorial position. But I want more. As any freelancer knows, committing to writing dozesn of emails and even worse-coming up with idea after idea which cannot in anyway guarantee an assignment is nerve wracking. I’m hoping something will bite, sooner rather than later.