Call me a rebel. Or a hypocrite. Or even a fake.
But the truth is, I don’t always love writing. What, you say?
Aren’t writers supposed to love writing? Now I know some do, but I doubt even those who do love it don’t love it all the time. Some authors even say they can’t not write. However, that feeling is not universal among writers.
Why not? I mean, look at all the perks. You get to sit home in your pj’s if you want. You don’t punch a clock because you can write whenever you want. And then your book is published and you’re famous and rich. Right?
Wrong. Let’s look at why writing might not be fun:
- You’re constantly interrupted by family needing something and breaking your train of thought.
- You don’t have a clue what to write next.
- You entered your best book in a contest and didn’t win. Or worse, didn’t even make the finals.
- Your book sales aren’t good.
- You got a bad review on one of your books.
- Your schedule (such as a real job) or your family’s schedule doesn’t give you any time to write.
- You’re sleepy, tired, sick, or all the above.
- You’re frantic, i.e., stressed out, anxious, worried, to make deadline.
- Your editor asks for substantial rewrites.
- You need to be writing a synopsis to submit to an editor, but you’re tied up on your current WIP.
- Your fellow-author who used to be your friend has signed a big deal with a big publisher and you haven’t.
- Multi-tasking such as marketing old books, building a book launch for your new book, writing newsletters, posting on blogs and social media is taking too much time away from your writing.
- You’ve started over twenty times but can’t get the story moving.
- You’d rather be doing something else, like going to the beach, etc.
You ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?” Why indeed? So, let’s look at what makes it fun:
- You figured out where the story is headed and are excited to see it unfold.
- Your characters do something unexpected.
- You get a good review.
- Your sales increase.
- You hear from a reader who loves your writing.
- You have undistracted, quiet time to write.
- You win or final for an award.
- You’re invited to audition for a new book series.
- You’re ahead of schedule and write The End before deadline.
- You see the cover of your book before it’s published and you like it.
- You can’t wait to start the next book.
- Your mind is flowing with ideas for new stories.
- You can call yourself a writer without being embarrassed.
- You have the evidence (published books, etc.) that prove you can write.
But the biggest joy for a Christian author is knowing you’re doing what God wants you to do—write.
So what about you? Does writing make you joyless or joyful? Why?
Those are two excellent lists, Marilyn. I can identify more with the first than the second, but I’m slowly ticking a few off that list too. Writing may be a solitary task, but the writing community is so supportive of each other. Thanks for all you’ve done to encourage my journey.
Dottie, glad to hear your writing journey is coming along. I should have added to the positive side, enjoy camaraderie with other writers!
What a fun (really!) and relateable post, Marilyn! Thanks for putting words to what so many of us feel. 🙂
Thanks for your resonse, Kiersti!
Love the lists, although #1 just brings out more anxiety for me. Sometimes I can be too much of a perfectionist, and second guess my choices to the point where I stop myself and get stuck. I remind myself to keep going on like all the authors at the writers conferences have stated. I’ll get there one day!
You will get there, Liz! As long as you keep trying!
Just what I needed!