Tuesday, September 18, 2007
"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club" -- Jack London
After my last post and some great comments (thanks Taylor, Laura and Shahnaz) I realized I was a bit hard on myself and writing in general. Since my last post I have done a lot of writing but most have been for classes. Lately I have had trouble coming up with ideas for stories or I'll establish an idea and that's all I'll have--an idea, nothing else. I think part of this has to do with the fact that all of my writing has been for class and nothing that I have really wanted to write about. And then--once I finish writing for school, I'm completely worn out and can't seem to find time to write anything else. My question today, to anyone who might be listening, is how do you balance what you have to write and what you want to write? Is it possible to combine the two and if so---how? Any suggestions would be graciously accepted!....and if any one wants to do any of my homework....
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2 comments:
I find that being part of an online writing community -- like Livejournal or Blogger, really helps me as far as writing regularly. Also, I try and e-mail or handwrite letters to my friends and associates on a regular basis. Between blog posts and the letters, I feel I write enough to give me the fodder for a larger work of fiction or non-fiction, if I so desire.
Another thing that has been helpful is taking a fiction class -- it forces me to meet deadlines and churn out something, even if it isn't the best thing ever written. The topics are broad enough to allow me to write what I want to write.
The Jack London quote you have is correct. I've found that I just have to make myself write sometimes, even if I'm figuratively glueing my butt to the chair until the work is done. You just have to do the work, even if it's icky or you're tired or distracted or whatever. Muddle through it and in time, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow (but soon and for the rest of your life; OK, I'll quit quoting Casablanca now) you'll churn out something you feel pretty good about, and go on from there.
I wish you the best with your writing and hope that you're having a good week so far!
I understand your frustration but trust me you will have tons of free time when you're done with school. Just keep up the good work and don't get stressed. All of this will ultimately make you a better writer. Thats what I keep telling myself, when I get especially frustrated. Sorry if this is the second time you're seeing this, I think I sent it as and email first now Dr. Bowie can't find it.
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