A short while ago, I asked the question here:
When you finish a project, how do you decide what to work on next?
I got a variety of fascinating answers:
* When a project is finished, I take a break and read a lot
* I always have a queue of of things waiting to be written
* I’m always working on a main project and a side project but jump to what strikes most strongly at the time
* I have a schedule of things that need writing. I have to be very organized.
* I have a book/folder/file full of ideas/notes/pictures/one-liners that I look at when it’s time to start something new
And then I asked:
Do you wait for the muse to strike, or do you force her hand?
The response to this was pretty unanimous:
* Sit down whether you feel like it or not
* You have to be there at regular hours for the muse to find you
What I get from all this is that we writers, we who are serious about our writing, look at it as a job. And yes, writing has to be a job. It doesn’t matter if anyone is reading what we write. It doesn’t matter if anyone is paying us for it. It has to be a job with the same consistency and time dedicated to it as any other job. If not, I think you can forget about ever getting better at it. And if you don’t get better, no one will read your stuff, no less pay for it. Remember when you used to wander around cemetaries in the dark, waiting, waiting…..no? Was that just me? Well, you know what I mean. Waiting for inspiration is for kids fooling around. Writing is work, real bum-on-the-seat-whether-you-want-to-or-not work. But then again, you all already know that.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t lure the muse with all sorts of desk decorations and lovely mugs of tea and soothing background music and promises of undying love. Not to mention blogs just to show how deadly serious we are about our devotion. And that reminds me….did anyone notice that I changed the name of my blog? It’s still about “Me and Others”, but I’m now calling it “Writing Life.” As my blog and I approach the year-and-a-half age, I thought it was time to get a new haircut, so to speak. Maybe the muse will stop to admire it.
Oh, and of course, thanks to my friends who gave such thoughtful answers to my questions: Absolute Vanilla, Tea Stains, DJ Kirkby, Carol, Lauri, Jamieson and Fia…..inspirations, all.
I love the new ‘haircut.’ What wise friends you have!
I like the new haircut too.
This casual kind of approach to writing is fine, like you’ve said- if you you have no intention of improving or being successful at it. This is why I hate those comments after you answer the what you do question; those- “Oh yes, I intend to write a book someday too.”
What is the perfect response to that?
I’ve almost stopped telling people what I do because of it.
Very interesting Sue.
‘Serious’ is the common denominator, isn’t it, regardless of all our differing tactics and methods.
Very nice new ‘haircut’. Suits you:-)
I’m liking the new look too!!
I also like the idea of setting aside proper times to work. My drawing and painting time has been a bit random up to now but I know that I’m going to have to be more organised about it now I’m back at Uni.
C x
Liking the new look very much.
Great post, and so true how most of us look at writing as a part of our day that needs to be done.
I agree. We do just have to sit down and get on with it. Some days I feel like I’m forcing it out – but on those days you just have to try harder I think. Great post.
Thanks everyone. I guess we all agree. And Lauri – I know what you mean about people saying “oh, they mean to write a book someday” or even those in some other part of the industry (editors, directors) who intimate they can write too, if they just sat down to do it. Maybe some of them could. Maybe we all could have been Jackson Pollack, if only we had thrown some paint on a canvas…That gets me too, as if what we do isn’t really so hard after all…oops, I’m venting. Back to work with me:-)
I definitely agree that you have to regard it as a job, otherwise procrastination sets in.
The muse can give you an idea at any time. Your job as a writer is to then actively develop that idea.
I really wish I could follow my own advice. *sheesh*
Very inspiring post, Sue! I have no clue what to work on next, I think I should spend some time shmoozing the muse… Nice new blog title, too!