This month I had the good luck to have quite a few long weekends off. Wow you must have gotten so much writing done I hear you say. If only that were true. Every Friday I'd mentally prepare for a long session of story telling only to wake up too late on the Saturday, do to many unrequired chores and spend way too much time agonizing over irrelevant things.
I love writing. I know that writing breeds more writing and once I start it's hard to stop. It's the starting that is difficult. Because sometimes, as much as I love it, writing just can't compare with the other things going on in life. Or at least, I can't seem to give it priority over other things even though I know I should.
In Melbourne, it's coming to the end of the most perfect summer that I can remember. It's been almost two months of beautiful weather which means my garden is bathed in sunlight all day long and is just begging to be enjoyed. So I do.
Then there is the TV that's just begging to be watched and the chores that need to be done. I'm also trying to break a really terrible reading drought at the moment as well so I'm constantly picking books up and putting them down.
All in all that doesn't leave too much time to do any writing. It's always at the back of my mind that I should be sitting down and getting all those words written. Each day that I write nothing is another layer of anxiety that I feel. That's my insecurity this month. I'm worried that I can't just make myself write despite everything else that I can do, which is what needs to be done if I'm going to reach my goal of publishing something this year.
What about everybody else? What are your insecurities this month?
I spent six months in between my second and third books writing nothing, although it was more a lack of an idea. But you can't beat yourself up over it.
ReplyDeleteMaybe tomorrow, you stop at some point in your day, no matter what you are doing, set a timer for fifteen minutes, and just write. See what happens!
Obviously I'm not a writer, so maybe I don't know anything about this, but I don't think there's anything wrong with living your life *and* writing. It doesn't have to be all writing all the time. Your happiness as a person is just as important as your happiness as a writer. Plus, authors like Robin McKinley take years to write a book, and when they're done, it's obvious that the book is better than if they had tried to knock it out in a couple of months.
ReplyDeleteIt's a hard balance between writing and life, especially when you have a lot of fun stuff you can go out and do. I struggle with it all the time. One thing I've learned is that if you love something, you'll find a way to do it; and if you want something bad enough, you'll find a way to do it. It might not be easy and it may take some sacrificing of things you enjoy, but you'll accomplish your goal. :)
ReplyDeleteI feel ya! My struggle right now is that I really should be finishing my PhD and/or writing my new WIP, but those things take so much time and I feel the need for instant gratification... which is why I think I find myself turning to blogging, twitter, crafting, cooking etc etc.
ReplyDeleteEspecially now that I'm in the query trenches, I feel like I can't bear to take on another big project (even though I know I should). I just want little, bite-sized pieces of satisfaction. =)
Maybe you can set some goals for yourself. Set aside 15 minutes a day for writing, or maybe commit to writing 250 words/day. Start with a small goal that you know is achieveable. This will help you get into the routine of writing every day. This might be easier and less intimindating that trying to to leap into a 8 - 10 hour day of writing. Just an idea. :)
ReplyDeleteI know how life can interfere with writing. I can say that I do not have a clean house. There are piles of shoes in the entry way. Stacks of laundry that sit around for days after being washed. My kitchen floor might get mopped once a month if I'm lucky. But, I write every day. I guess what I'm saying is that sometimes there have to be trade-offs to find writing time. Figure out what you're willing to sacrifice and go for it! :)
Maybe you should enjoy the nice weather while it lasts, since it's not likely to happen again in the foreseeable future. It's great that you can enjoy your garden in fine weather! Writing will always be there, so there's no reason to get so anxious over it.
ReplyDeleteWell... Writing is one of those things one never has time for unless you make time.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't want to make time, that's fine, but then you should realize it's a choice you're making and nothing to feel anxious about. If you REALLY do want to write, though, why don't you get a nice notebook and a pen and just write what comes to mind while you're sitting outside enjoying the sunlight?
This is pretty much my thing. I am slowly but surely writing this ms. I really love it, and I'm having fun. But like you said, some days I have to force myself to sit down and just TYPE IT OUT. Fortunately, it's crap weather here, so I don't have a perfect summer to contend with lol ;) But still, I'm chugging along with my word count.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great week,
Ninja Girl
I hate when I get out of writing habit. It's terribly hard to get back into. Last month I shut off the cable, but still find myself lured in by my husband to watch Netflix (bad hubz...) and as it warms up to spring here I find I want to be outside more often. Thats an easy fix though. I just take the laptop or note books outside with me while I watch the kiddos play. If you are dedicated to writing, you will write, even if you have to drag yourself to the keyboard kicking and screaming...
ReplyDeleteHm. Insecurities? I love writing too. But writing wise, whenever I start to write a story idea, I always get stuck somewhere. It tends to be a bit frustrating for me. I never know where to go to next in my stories.
ReplyDeleteIn life, like you as well, there's just too much good tv to watch, and chores and work tend to get in the way too. But hopefully, you'll be able to get some work done :)
Aaah, insecurity. Hm, I think I can make you a never ending list LOL. xD Last month, I couldn't get any review done. Somehow it was very hard to put my feelings into words, and I didn't want to think about reviewing - I just want to read books. Don't worry, I'm sure that you'll be able to write something good soon. I guess you can forget about the writing for sometimes and keep reading good books/enjoying the world? We'll never know when inspiration hit us, and I think it's no use to brood over things that can't be done either. But well that's just me. :D
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I can't wait to read your book someday, Lan. I hope that you'll fulfill your goal and get your book published this year! :)
Turn off the TV, take your computer out to your garden and enjoy your garden while you write. The problem is that you haven't set your priorities. As long as writing is at the bottom, it won't get done.
ReplyDeleteLauren
Lauren-ritz.blogspot.com
My struggle right now is the fact that I havent been able to read because my grandma and grandfather werent doing well and I was just trying to keep my head on straight. Last night, she passed, and granddad isnt doing much better. My best option is probably to just take every day as it comes and find happiness in the little things.
ReplyDeleteI feel this. I feel this so hard! On top of all the things you've mentioned, I also guilt myself when I don't write, so then I feel horrible, which makes me want to not write even more and the cycle just goes on and on. :\ NaNo seems to be the only thing that get me to write consistently thus far. Hmm...
ReplyDelete