Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Writing When You're Not Feeling It - SM Blooding
How many excuses can you come up with to NOT write?
To NOT do laundry?
To NOT check the mail?
To NOT clean your car?
To NOT do the dishes?
How much easier is it to just order out? To watch TV instead of reading? To read instead of working out?
Is it just me, or are we really, really lazy? I started out asking one question that pertains to writing and ended up with the fact that we rationalize ways to be lazy in every single thing we do.
Well, no wonder it's so easy to say, "I'm not 'feeling' the writing." Or to be unable to write because there are too many pencils in the cup, or the neighbor's music is too loud and I can't concentrate, or the millions of other things we often come up with.
I think that's why I like writing challenges. Its my way of turning off the excuses and just doing what needs to be done. I've gotten pretty good about the other things. Dishes, laundry, budgeting (still working on), car's clean, working out semi-regularly, so writing when I'm NOT feeling it seems like the next thing to tackle.
Usually, I AM feeling it and it's good. I have a confidence in writing that I lack in other areas (hi, Mom). But sometimes, there are other things in my life that distract me, that have me thinking in the wrong areas to be able to "feel" the writing. Is it good to force myself to write?
YES! Not only yes, but HELL YES!
I'm not writing as good as I do when I'm feeling it, but I'm pushing past the lazy writer. I'm working hard. I'm learning what I can do when I'm not 100%. I'm honing the writer I SHALL become BY pushing through the tough times, by blocking out the distractions, the hardships, the new promotion, the everything!
I'm learning how to manage my life instead of allowing it to manage me.
That's something a lot of people could learn to do, not just writers. Holy Pete, not just writers.
So kill the excuses. Don't even let them move past your lips. Shut them up. Put a cork in it.
And PUSH!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Great post! I find it really hard to push past the excuses too as I often put my son in the excuse list! However, when the day is done and he's asleep - what excuse do I have really? NONE! It has become much easier in the last few months but I struggled with it a lot, especially when my son was very little. I felt bad for wanting to write and not spend time with him, but I felt bad for not writing at all. I tend to think I have found the balance now and my writing definately shows the difference.
ReplyDeleteWhat about not "feeling" the rewrites? Lol!!! *Stuffs a cork in her mouth* O.O
ReplyDeleteMan. Now I feel guilty. *hangs head in shame* Okay, I'll go write some more.
ReplyDeleteI don't feel like writing right now... *smiles @ her excuse*
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with this post - I know that I have become lazy, especially in my writing and have set myself a target of a few hundred words a day - it doesn't sound a lot but it adds up and often I write more than that. But it makes me write every day and my plan is to make writing a habit that I do regardless of whether I'm in the mood or not.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Frankie. I will try harder, I known you're right. I consider myself told off :)
ReplyDelete