Our Endless and Proper Work: Starting (and Sticking to) Your Writing Practice

Writer and editorial consultant Ron Hogan helps readers develop an ongoing writing practice as an end in and of itself, not a means to publication.

Many people pick up the guitar without eyeing a career as a professional musician, or start painting without caring if they get a gallery. But with writing the assumption seems to be that the goal must be to get published. Why? Why is it acceptable to attain technical proficiency at "Stairway to Heaven" or plein air watercolors as a hobby, while writing is expected to earn its keep? In Our Endless and Proper Work, the second in Belt’s series of books about writing and publishing—along with Belt founder Anne Trubek’s So You Want to Publish a Book? (2020)—Ron Hogan argues writing should be an end in itself for more people. The founder of the literary site Beatrice, and creator of the popular newsletter "Destroy Your Safe and Happy Lives", Hogan offers concrete steps to help writers develop ongoing creative practice in chapters such as “Reclaiming Your Time for Writing,” “Finding Your Groove,” and “Preparing Yourself for the Long Haul.” Sprinkled throughout are adorable illustrations by “Positive Doodles” creator Emm Roy.

This concise, inspirational book encourages all people to take up writing not, as so many other handbooks and resources suggest, in order to make money or become famous, but because it can help you become a happier, more whole and engaged person.

Writer and editorial consultant Ron Hogan helps readers develop an ongoing writing practice not as a means to publication, but as an end in and of itself. 

Many people pick up the guitar without eyeing a career as a professional musician or start painting without caring if their work appears in a gallery. But with writing, the assumption seems to be that publication is the main goal. Why?

In Our Endless and Proper Work, the second in Belt’s series of books about writing and publishing?along with Anne Trubek’s So You Want to Publish a Book??Ron Hogan argues writing should be an end in itself for more people. The founder of the literary site Beatrice, and creator of the popular newsletter “Destroy Your Safe and Happy Lives,” Hogan offers concrete steps to help writers develop an ongoing creative practice. Chapters include:

• Reclaiming Your Time for Writing

• Finding Your Groove

• Preparing Yourself for the Long Haul

• Your Voice is Valuable.

Sprinkled throughout are adorable illustrations by “Positive Doodles” creator Emm Roy.

A concise, inspirational book for anyone looking to take up writing—not for money and fame, but because it can help you lead a happier, more whole and engaged life.