I Love Being a Writer… But…
Ever have those days when you know you should be writing, but writing is the last thing you do? It’s a wintery Sunday afternoon, the weather is ideal for writing. I’ve got work this week, as usual, so any day, like today, when I have nothing else on my schedule, I write, or rather, should be writing. Any free time is golden, and should be utilized to the fullest. I love being a writer, truly. But there are some days when writing is the last thing I want to do.
That fickle, cold, overly-critical witch of an inner editor is not only perched on my shoulder, but she’s got her arms wrapped about my neck. Her nails dig into my head every time I write something she finds fault with. On most days, I knock her flat on her butt by clouting her over the head with a big blow of self-confidence and determination, but on the days like today, I cant’ get her to budge an inch. I swipe at her, but she only laughs and holds on even tighter hissing comments in my ear while I sit here and feel frustrated.
My fingers feel heavy – weighted down with uncertainty. I reach for the backspace key more times than I like to count. I spend time online googling things that I know I really don’t need, and pursuing other activities, such as chatting with friends, playing with my sweet silent Labrador companion, grabbing a snack or two, and yes, cleaning the toilet. It’s sad when you have absolutely nothing else on your mind then scrubbing and rescrubbing every inch, when one thorough cleaning will do.
Time is passing by. I should be writing. Seconds, minutes, and hours are wasted doing little things that don’t need doing, or can wait, but yet, I must do them now. That toilet, dang it, can’t wait another minute. Those clothes need to be folded right now, and the dishes can’t overflow the sink and spill onto the counter. Better clean up the mess before the kitchen police come and arrest me for disastrous and disorderly waste. Or before the dishes, pots and pans grow legs and run away to find a cleaner haven to gleam in.
My solution for all of this procrastination? WRITE! Okay, duh, a lot easier said than done, but if we want to get an agent, have an editor request our work, see our name on a book, win awards, the love and adoration of readers, have book signings, make bestseller lists, we have to write. There is no pass go, and we certainly won’t collect our $200. We can’t skip this part.
So how might this be achieved, you’re wondering. Well, first off, if you cant’ keep your butt in the chair or comfortable place to write in, either have a hot guy hold you down, or if said hunk is disinterested or unavailable, some strong twine will do just fine. Once you’re in that chair, to minimize the distractions brought upon by the internet, disconnect it, and better yet, tell your friends and family to leave you the heck alone, you’re writing. If you are one of the lucky ones who have an available hottie, tell him if he does not behave, you’ll throw him off like you do your inner editor. But if he does play his cards right, by keeping you in that chair, and only letting you up when absolutely necessary, you’ll reward him handsomely. Specific times include true emergencies – fire, pee break, refurbishing your chocolate or caffeine supply, natural disaster, problem with the kids that needs your immediate attention, or when personal cutie needs a break. Turn off your cell phone, or at least put it on vibrate, and out of reach if it is a particularly bad distraction. Same goes for the house phone.
If you find your fingers fiddling with other items on your desk, purchase some super glue or tape to keep those wrists anchored to your writing device. Or find a locale where it is just you and your computer, or pen and paper. Seclude yourself in a quiet corner of a library or amidst the hustle and bustle of a cafe. If the weather is cooperative, find a park bench or comfy lawn chair to settle in for a good hour or two to get those pages written. If your pen is a particularly bad distraction, grab a simple one, which only has black ink and not multi-colored. Doodling is not allowed. You should be writing words, not making pictures as lovely as they might be. Lastly, remember to have fun, and that your characters need you. They need you to finish telling their stories because no one else can tell them better than you.
Despite all of the discomfort you might be feeling due to the bondage your suffering, take heart in knowing that if you keep at it, you’re just another step closer to seeing your name on a book. You’ll then be able to reap all of the rewards from completing it, the most important ones being discipline and a feeling that you really did accomplish something. You kicked that inner editor’s butt. Remember to set goals and to reward yourself when you meet them. That, seriously, is probably the most important thing to do. Try to remain consistent in your writing. But whether you write two pages one day and ten the next, you’ve made progress. They’re words you didn’t have the week or the day before. And although your inner critic will be back, you know how to knock her down and keep her quiet.
© Kelli Finger w/a Abbey MacInnis