I voted happy, but its really the other way round: I am happy when I write. Or maybe it isn't even happy. It's what the psychologists call the state of flow. But I'm also happier on the days when I write than on the days when I don't. But that does not mean I can cheer myself up by writing. A thing is either ready to be written or its not. Trying to write something not ready to be written just makes me miserable.
Craft, and the study of craft is a strange thing. You do need craft, and while I think a lot of what passes for craft instruction and craft advice today is either specific to a single genre, or covert post-modernism, or just crap, whatever remains that is true is valuable. But it is also paralyzing. Writing has to be organic. It has to come in a state of flow, or it just reeks of craftiness rather than craft. So you have to get to the point where the craft advice has been absorbed and become tacit knowledge so that you can just let the writing flow without thinking about craft and yet be governed by craft.
I don't know if there is one sure way to get there, but I think that after a period of craft study, you may need a period of intensive and varied reading before you are ready to write again. In other words, let craft study change how you read until you reach the point where your craft knowledge is fully integrated, and the urge to write will return.
I'm jealous of you. There are certain things that put me into a state of flow - reading a good book, computer programming, the odd video game - but writing is not on the list. If I flowed when I wrote, I would do it all the time.
But you're right that we can't control the inspiration that drives the process (or the state of flow). I'm learning to feel that rhythm and listen to it. My new rule for this phase of writing has been 1 hour every day, come hell or high water. BUT I can work on whatever project I want. Today's hour was spent on this post, which means my creative brain has a little more time to recharge.
I agree that craft can be a deterrent as much as an aid. I think a lot of the difficulty on my current work-in-progress is that I expect the first draft to live up to the standards of what I've learned from my research. But this is misguided, since a first draft will never do any such thing. I'm paralyzing myself by letting the inner editor take charge. It should still be the inner child.
I didn't get around to saying it in this post, but I think my blog going forward may skew toward the motivation and mental game of writing more than the craft, since I haven't found as much out there to address issues of motivation. My tagline has always been "Write and live like a novelist," and the living part, for me, is the hard one.
Your post surprised and intrigued me to the point that I just kept reading! I love the way you articulate yourself. Like you, I love to learn new things and then go full tilt to master them but then quickly get bored and start looking for my next interest. I don’t think there is too much wrong with that if we are continually learning.
As for the novel writing, I’m part way through my first novel and find I cannot write when I’m sad or fed up. I also discovered I am certainly not a pantser! I need order and structure before I can get going. But, we are all different and there is no right or wrong way.
My motivation for writing is escape. I prolifically write blogs, social media posts, a journal and my children’s picture books (a lot less words but a lot of hard work). When I’m working on my research or writing the rest of the world disappears from view and I love that.
I'm relieved to hear that someone else has the same tendency to learn skills just for the learning, rather than for using them. It has the upside of making us Renaissance men or jacks-of-all-trades, which is great for becoming hobbyists and keeping life interesting.
But when I look at the artists I really admire, these are people who committed themselves to one pursuit and excluded all others. Perhaps I'm working against my own strengths here, and that's part of what makes writing hard. But when I look back at the end of my life, I think I will be grateful I chose to give it all for this one cause.
I'm open to suggestions if you think that's delusional :P
In answer to the question of whether I write when I am happy or sad, my answer is simply YES. I need both. Whether I write with/from the perspective of happiness or sadness or what have you, this lends to my characters and scenes a certain atmosphere. I need them both. Neither becomes the roadblock.
But what of writer's block and when to write and all of it? Someone once said, "Writers write." And I agree. These days I have a regular schedule of writing (at least) from about 4-8am each morning. I am free to return to it anytime during the day, but that is my writing window to keep me moving. Do I immediately step to the keyboard and flay away madly with words. No. Sometimes I quiet read my previous scenes and get myself back in the flow. Sometimes I abruptly stop working on a scene because a new scene has come into my mind and must get it down. The earlier scene I will revisit at some time and carry it forward. But the thing for me is to get it down. I can always arrange the pieces later.
But how to begin? I get little phrases that carry me into a world. For example, "I don't care what you think about my [fill in the blank], I'm gonna do it anyway and who cares anyway? Geez, give me a break! I'll figure something out.]" Ok, a simple breakout opening that could lead to a zillion places. You decide. It is this kind of thing I use to launch me into a scene. Sometimes my original words stick. Sometimes they do little more than set the tone. But either way, they launch me into my world.
It is the discipline of a schedule and commitment to the craft. Then toss in a few tricks like the one I mentioned just now, and you are writing like a crazy person.
That's all I'll say for now. Have a good write! Henry
I like this method of choosing a phrase or character moment that piques your curiosity and letting that pull you into writing for the day. The trick that has worked best for me is to leave a scene or chapter just slightly unfinished - maybe a handful of paragraphs before the end, right when things are about to conclude. Then I can jump into writing the next day and my first words are already laid out for me. It gives me a quick victory, as well as the satisfaction of putting a bow on something.
I voted happy, but its really the other way round: I am happy when I write. Or maybe it isn't even happy. It's what the psychologists call the state of flow. But I'm also happier on the days when I write than on the days when I don't. But that does not mean I can cheer myself up by writing. A thing is either ready to be written or its not. Trying to write something not ready to be written just makes me miserable.
Craft, and the study of craft is a strange thing. You do need craft, and while I think a lot of what passes for craft instruction and craft advice today is either specific to a single genre, or covert post-modernism, or just crap, whatever remains that is true is valuable. But it is also paralyzing. Writing has to be organic. It has to come in a state of flow, or it just reeks of craftiness rather than craft. So you have to get to the point where the craft advice has been absorbed and become tacit knowledge so that you can just let the writing flow without thinking about craft and yet be governed by craft.
I don't know if there is one sure way to get there, but I think that after a period of craft study, you may need a period of intensive and varied reading before you are ready to write again. In other words, let craft study change how you read until you reach the point where your craft knowledge is fully integrated, and the urge to write will return.
Or not. It's all in the lap of the gods, really.
I'm jealous of you. There are certain things that put me into a state of flow - reading a good book, computer programming, the odd video game - but writing is not on the list. If I flowed when I wrote, I would do it all the time.
But you're right that we can't control the inspiration that drives the process (or the state of flow). I'm learning to feel that rhythm and listen to it. My new rule for this phase of writing has been 1 hour every day, come hell or high water. BUT I can work on whatever project I want. Today's hour was spent on this post, which means my creative brain has a little more time to recharge.
I agree that craft can be a deterrent as much as an aid. I think a lot of the difficulty on my current work-in-progress is that I expect the first draft to live up to the standards of what I've learned from my research. But this is misguided, since a first draft will never do any such thing. I'm paralyzing myself by letting the inner editor take charge. It should still be the inner child.
I didn't get around to saying it in this post, but I think my blog going forward may skew toward the motivation and mental game of writing more than the craft, since I haven't found as much out there to address issues of motivation. My tagline has always been "Write and live like a novelist," and the living part, for me, is the hard one.
Your post surprised and intrigued me to the point that I just kept reading! I love the way you articulate yourself. Like you, I love to learn new things and then go full tilt to master them but then quickly get bored and start looking for my next interest. I don’t think there is too much wrong with that if we are continually learning.
As for the novel writing, I’m part way through my first novel and find I cannot write when I’m sad or fed up. I also discovered I am certainly not a pantser! I need order and structure before I can get going. But, we are all different and there is no right or wrong way.
My motivation for writing is escape. I prolifically write blogs, social media posts, a journal and my children’s picture books (a lot less words but a lot of hard work). When I’m working on my research or writing the rest of the world disappears from view and I love that.
Anyway, great post and I hope you keep writing.
I'm relieved to hear that someone else has the same tendency to learn skills just for the learning, rather than for using them. It has the upside of making us Renaissance men or jacks-of-all-trades, which is great for becoming hobbyists and keeping life interesting.
But when I look at the artists I really admire, these are people who committed themselves to one pursuit and excluded all others. Perhaps I'm working against my own strengths here, and that's part of what makes writing hard. But when I look back at the end of my life, I think I will be grateful I chose to give it all for this one cause.
I'm open to suggestions if you think that's delusional :P
In answer to the question of whether I write when I am happy or sad, my answer is simply YES. I need both. Whether I write with/from the perspective of happiness or sadness or what have you, this lends to my characters and scenes a certain atmosphere. I need them both. Neither becomes the roadblock.
But what of writer's block and when to write and all of it? Someone once said, "Writers write." And I agree. These days I have a regular schedule of writing (at least) from about 4-8am each morning. I am free to return to it anytime during the day, but that is my writing window to keep me moving. Do I immediately step to the keyboard and flay away madly with words. No. Sometimes I quiet read my previous scenes and get myself back in the flow. Sometimes I abruptly stop working on a scene because a new scene has come into my mind and must get it down. The earlier scene I will revisit at some time and carry it forward. But the thing for me is to get it down. I can always arrange the pieces later.
But how to begin? I get little phrases that carry me into a world. For example, "I don't care what you think about my [fill in the blank], I'm gonna do it anyway and who cares anyway? Geez, give me a break! I'll figure something out.]" Ok, a simple breakout opening that could lead to a zillion places. You decide. It is this kind of thing I use to launch me into a scene. Sometimes my original words stick. Sometimes they do little more than set the tone. But either way, they launch me into my world.
It is the discipline of a schedule and commitment to the craft. Then toss in a few tricks like the one I mentioned just now, and you are writing like a crazy person.
That's all I'll say for now. Have a good write! Henry
I like this method of choosing a phrase or character moment that piques your curiosity and letting that pull you into writing for the day. The trick that has worked best for me is to leave a scene or chapter just slightly unfinished - maybe a handful of paragraphs before the end, right when things are about to conclude. Then I can jump into writing the next day and my first words are already laid out for me. It gives me a quick victory, as well as the satisfaction of putting a bow on something.