 |
| Why Writing Never Gets Easier by Linda Lee Williams |
As authors, we think that our experience writing other books will help us with subsequent novels. To some extent, that's true. We can learn technique and improve our skills. However, we also tend to stretch ourselves with every new project because we enjoy being challenged. That's why writing never gets easier; it only gets harder.
I wonder how many of us would have begun in the first place if we hadn't been ignorant of the work involved? If we'd known that writing could become so addictive? That it could fulfill our dreams and dash our hopes at the same time? Let's face it: Writing is all-consuming. Once we're in the throes of creativity, we're likely to forget to eat or sleep and that we have families who depend on us. If our writing is flowing, we're apt to be more agreeable than we are when we feel we are chiseling words in rock. Only someone who lives with a writer knows how unpredictable our moods can be...
It's no surprise many writers suffer from insomnia. Our characters and our stories linger on our minds. Maybe we're on the fourth draft of our books and we still aren't satisfied with the results. Or maybe we received a bad review and we can't shake the feeling that somehow we've failed--that we can't live up to our own expectations, much less our readers'. We won't make those same mistakes again, we tell ourselves. Next time, we'll know better.
If only the answer were that simple, that convenient. As any author knows, each new book presents its unique set of problems and unforeseen complications. When we write from our hearts, an avalanche of info tumbles out, and not all of it belongs in our stories. That's why authors need critique partners or beta readers--people they trust to point out the flaws in their manuscripts. To be honest, we're not always the best judge of our novels; and for serious writers, being "good" isn't good enough.
Fellow authors, how do you handle the challenges and frustrations of being a writer? What keeps you sane during the creative process?
Blogging about it is not a bad way. Sharing with other writers, reading... I always find walking a good way of getting unstuck and I try and do meditation every day and exercise regularly...
ReplyDeleteExcellent suggestions, Olga. I need to do more in the way of meditating, since I'm not a "napper." Thanks for stopping by and for commenting. Happy writing!
DeleteTruth!
ReplyDeleteAND...hubby and I are both writers, so you can imagine how that goes. It seems we're both on different schedules. Before we try to have a conversation, we have to stop and look at what the other is doing on the computer. Are they writing, or playing on social media? Because as we both know, if you don't get that perfect sentence out of your head, it feels as though it will be lost forever. :/
Sane??? Are you crazy??? Hahahahahahah!!!
Well said, Carmen, my friend. And sane? Not by long shot! :)
DeleteGood article. But don't you just love the question, "So you just stay at home and write?" Sometimes it's followed by "I wish I could do that." I swear sometimes people think it's the same as lying on the sofa eating bonbons. :-}
ReplyDeleteYou made me smile, Carole! Didn't you know? Creative people are born "gifted." It just comes naturally--no hard work involved at all!... ��
DeleteGreat post Linda and so true. I think sanity left me a long time ago...like the day I decided to write for a living. Got to admit that what I enjoy the most is meeting fellow authors because they 'get' me - just as much as I 'get' them. I 'get' what you are saying Linda and you make me feel a little less alone and crazy.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynn. I wrote the post so that we could all feel "a little less alone and crazy." Appreciate you stopping by and commenting. 😊
DeleteSane? I think it takes a certain level of crazy to attempt the process called 'writing'. And it comes with its own stressors, for sure. I guess I just try to unwind as well as I can. You still have that voice in your head that tries to bring you down after the luxuriousness of your writing session wore off. "Was that good enough?" It is nice to have beta readers and crit partners, as you mentioned, but we still have to listen to our characters. The muse often has a mind of its own, regardless of our careful plans.
ReplyDeleteAnd for God's sake, get out of our heads for awhile, right? Stepping away from the scene is sometimes the answer to any plot dilemma. Finally, don't forget to breathe. I think a lot of people, writers included, have such hectic lives that they don't realize they're not taking deep, full breaths. They don't slow down to enjoy meals, or look around at their environment, take in the scenery a bit. We need that break away from the office, from that blinking cursor on the computer screen, to show us that we are in fact human beings and we can savor the little things.
You are so right, Marie. I do have to remember to "breathe" while I'm working. Sometimes, I'll write longhand in a notebook to free up my thoughts--anything but stare at the computer screen. No matter how much we'd like to "keep at it," sometimes the best thing to do is get away from our writing for a while.
DeleteThanks for contributing to the conversation! :)