As writers we know how difficult it is to create....well... anything! If I had a dime for every time I heard the phrase "I'm writing a book too!" Sigh...I do believe there's a book inside everyone...but getting it from an idea to the page is WORK! I love writing but like most wordsmiths I'm not earning enough to live on it. That's the dream of course...and the challenge.
I've found that there are days that there's nothing more daunting than the blank page. As a former soldier and police officer I used to think I was past intimidating...wrong! The blinking cursor on my laptop can frustrate and give me feelings of dread that I wouldn't have thought possible! I have learned however that as with most things in life that in order to persevere we must be dedicated and be persistent.
On the days (or weeks!) that I find myself struggling, I drag myself by the scruff of the neck and stick to my writing schedule...BUT wait a minute!
The words won't come!
Well...no good ones anyway! It doesn't matter...write drivel, peck out one letter at a time (unfortunately, I ALWAYS type that way!) keep hitting keys even if there's no story flowing! A waste of time? No. You're writing by God and by doing the WORK sooner or later the muse will come! Mine's a cigar chomping wise ass that grumbles and grunts, rarely putting in a constructive appearance but when he does speak...magic! Think of it this way....The great painters, athletes, and yes authors aren't ever really satisfied with their work. If they were, there would be little reason to do it again! The real reason to keep repeating any task is because deep in your heart you know...I can do better than that!
Am I saying you should jump from story to story? It depends....if you're "blocked" or stuck on one then it may be a viable option but beware...NOT FINISHING is one of the most common sins we writers make! Do a short story, an article or hey a BLOG...just write something!
Writing is a joy...but don't ever make the mistake of thinking it's easy. If it was everyone would do it! As my old friend and mentor Yoda would say.
"Do or do not...there is no try!"
So....you still wanna be a writer? The up side is you get to create and destroy worlds of your very own design...the down side is everyone and their brother will critique the way you do it! You'll put in long hours for little or no pay and spend endless days in search of the elusive reader...who will peruse your work and go.
"Euhhh...it was alright."
Sigh....So where do I sign?
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