What I Thought I Needed
I thought I needed serenity to write, but Demon Baby has shown me that surely as he will put a Happy Meal on his head, "serene" isn't part of this household's vocabulary.
I thought I needed quiet to write. Well, I've got all three kids home sick again and the cacophony of coughing is about to drive me to distraction. But still I'm working on my second Magickeepers book.
I thought I needed a clean, neat desk to write, a room of my own, some space to call my own--space that is tidy and filled with candles and delicious scents designed to invoke the muse.
But deadlines and the flu have taught me that no, a clean desk is not mine to be had at the moment.
I thought I needed to be "in the zone." But sleepless nights taking care of sick children have taught me that the zone is nice, but it's not always available.
I thought I needed a lot of things in order to write.
But really, I just needed to quit whining and just do it.
It was then I realized how many people "someday" writing a book. "When I retire," "when the baby starts kindergarten," "when my job is less stressful," "when my spouse is more supportive of the idea," "when I catch up on my housework" (if I waited for that, I can assure you, I never would have published a word). There are no "somedays." Only today.
Thoughts?
27 comments:
Absolutely. I like my office and my desk goes from neat and organized to post-cyclone, but I've written on a laptop on a couch, in a hotel room, at an airport, on yellow legal pads in a hospital cafeteria and outside sitting under a tree. I've written--unfortunately--when I've had the stomach flu and the bathroom was only a, uh, running step away but I had deadlines (that really sucks, frankly).
Nike has it right: just do it.
Mark:
I've written through illnesses, through my kids' illnesses, and through stresses that made my hair turn gray. The longer I've been a writer, the more I see circumstance has little to do with it. Writers write. Period.
E
Yup, that's why I say, I'm not really a writer. I can go three days without writing, easy as pie.
The longer I follow ya'll's blogs (hey can you put two apostrophes in one word?)the more grateful I am that my husband will let me pretend I'm a writer. He pays the bills.
Richmond:
I can go three days without writing a word, too (except for the blog). I never think a set number of words per day or any kind of counting mechanism indicates whether someone is a writer. I do think that for a lot of writers . . . the overall persistence though, in the face of ups and downs, it what helps them succeed. But I don't know. That's just my take.
E
Yup, I totally agree. I used to be a "someday" writer, until nearly two decades passed and I realized that day was getting farther and farther away. And so I started at the most inconvenient time possible, working as a flight attendant, commuting between NYC and CA, living out of a suitcase, constantly jet lagged, no desk to speak of, just a determination to see it done.
And could the little guy be any cuter?!! Even wearing a happy meal--he's a heart breaker!
Hi Alyson:
My life could not be more inconvenient, in that sense. I feel like I don't even have five minutes that are my own. But yeah . . . . if you wait, all that happens is time is wasted.
E
I totally agree. I've heard other people say that we are often the biggest obstacles to our success. Too many people are afraid to take that first step and try, but once you start, it's so much easier to keep going.
I hope everyone gets better soon.
Wonderful comment. Can't say any more. I've got to get back to my writing. (Little smiley face here.)
The desire to write never goes away. It's like an itch inside me. In spite of that, I'm not writing my wip. With the on-and-off promo I'm doing, I keep pulling away from my characters.
I'm not thinking about them in my spare time. They aren't in my subconscious when I sleep or walk or take a shower. I'm not immersed in the story and the characters stopped growing.
I'm thrilled to still be in the ATV contest, but I'll be glad when it's over. That itch is getting painful.
I thought you had to write every day to be a writer. It's what I hear all kinds of writers say whether they are the somedays or best sellers. I also hear so many say there is this compulsion to write.
Oh and I picked Richmondwriter before I really thought about what makes a writer. The more I learn the more I feel as if I don't belong. Then something will happen like my husband telling me, "why are you quitting now, you're actually writing something I want to hear about." So I plug along.
Have you tried googling your name and Mark's? You get years worth of conversation in the comments sections.
Melanie:
I would say that's probably true. I've know people to say they want something really badly--and then sabotage it. We probably set up more obstacles than we think.
E
Joe:
back to the salt mines for you!
E
Edie:
I can't imagine how you are dealing with that hanging over you!!!!!
E
Richmond:
LOL! No, I never tried googling us together. Truth be told I NEVER Google myself. Makes me queasy.
And you know, maybe that's a post. All the fallacies about being a writer. Because as a mom of four, I think it's total bullshit that you have to write very day.
Though i did write a chapter today and like it a lot!
E
I compare it to people waiting for the perfect time to have a baby. Those of us lucky enough to have babies realize the "perfect time to have a baby" is the day they're born.
I write sick, too.
DB makes me miss those days of little boyhood and all the funny things they do. My son is nearly as tall as I am and we're redoing his room. Sniff sniff. No more Dancing Bears.
There are no "somedays." Only today.
THANK YOU!
Sometimes you get so caught up in the plans that you forget to live in today - that's both writing goals and life in general... there are so many times I'm caught up trying to do something and then when I catch my breath and look at my kids doing something or going somewhere or whatever and I just think, "Crap!!! I'm missing it!" Sometimes you just have to breathe... you know?
As far as writing everyday - I think there's also something to be said for writing in your head. I've hit spurts where I can't keep away from it, get up in the middle of the night to keep going, and keep opening the files when I'm supposed to be doing other things. And then I've hit periods where I don't get a word down on the page, but I'm telling the story in my head, going through conversations that my characters will have, forwarding the plot and story, finding new avenues. Some of it happens without a keyboard. That may be a particular malady of the pantser, though.
Sex Scenes:
Oldest son is getting a room re-do (he's a teen). Then I have one who is an adult. And an 11-year-old. All different ages and stages.
And you're right. If I had waited until the time is right, I would not have any . . . kids are always wonderful, and nearly always inconvenient. :-)
E
merry:
I agree. Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans.
No excuses for me today.
:-)
E
You nailed it. An Inconvenient Life. Ditto. I've now attracted a lovely cold on the same day I got "the report" back from the freelance editor. I will delve tomorrow amidst the piles of tissues, Zicam and diet cranberry juice.
I think an inconvenient life is a thread that binds all writers together.
My excuse was always, "When I get older", "When I'm done with college", "When I'm settled, not depressed, a more mature person, better looking, and I have a supportive other half."
I was such a cry baby...until I realized that well, I hated my life before I jumped into Nameless, and any other stories I have in my head.
And though I still get depressed, I still stink at math, and I don't see my other finding me in the near future, I'm much happier thanks to my writing.
All I need is to remember that I'm an amazing kid with a bright, happy future.
Stupid? Maybe.
Mistake? Likely.
The best thing that's ever happened to me? Duh.
When my kids were little, I bemoaned the fact that I didn't have enough time to write. My husband kindly suggested that I wake up at 4am - that was a nice quiet time to write, when everyone was asleep and I had no responsibilities.
My husband can be a real asshole.
Amy:
Life is horribly inconvenient . . . and very real.
E
J.T.:
You sound brilliant to me.
And anyone who love's Kiki . . . well, what can I say? Doubly brilliant.
E
Robin:
What a jerk. ;-)
E
After just returning to school for the Spring semester, I compiled the Epic and stuck it on the shelf, telling myself, "Self, after semester ends, you can go back to this."
Since then I've been finding myself completing class assignments immediately so that I can work on the Epic. :) What can I say? It didn't like sitting on the shelf. So, I guess in my case, I listen to the siren's call. After all, there are days when I just don't "feel" the story and ignore it.
Bold statements my "thang", let me just say that to me, a person who waits for the right situation - clean desks, candles, tidy house - really can't be classified as a writer.
Kath:
I hear ya, sister.
If I waited for perfect conditions . . . not a word would be done.
:-)
E
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