This has always been the most difficult time of year for me to focus on my writing. This year has been no different. I have managed to produce a little morethan my usual dismal December average, even though I haven't blogged here in almost two weeks. But I have accomplished a little on my current WIP. Not as much as I'd hoped, but enough to keep from berating myself. After all, it's Christmas.
We've had parties, get-togethers, cookies to bake, gifts to buy and wrap. Well, you know the drill. But serious writers still manage to write something, even in the midst of chaos.
Real writers--I sometimes wonder if I am one--commit to their story and get it down regardless of what's going on with the rest of their lives. Most writers hold down fulltime jobs and juggle marriages and children while snatching a few moments to put something to paper whenever they get the chance.
The story in our hearts deserves to be put to paper. It is important to us. The characters whisper in our ears and keep us awake at night. Plotlines twist all around us, causing us to stare into space when we should be paying attention at work or watching our child kick a soccer ball through the goal posts.
Let's honor that story. Even this time of year when the oven timer reminds you to get into the kitchen and check on the ham, dedicate a few moments to your story. Stay on track. Put your writing file on your desktop and make it easily accessible. The best part is you will see it every time you go past your computer. Hopefully it will beckon loudly enough that you will give it a few moments of your time.
Speaking of which, I need to get back to mine. I guarantee I won't be checking in for the next few days. Tomorrow will be a blur. I have a medical procedure scheduled for Wednesday so I don't know how long it will be after that before I'm back on the computer.
Have a wonderful Christmas and blessed 2008.
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I understand what you're saying, and I'm not criticizing your thoughts, but this came to mind when I read how hard you are on yourself for not writing as much as possible:
ReplyDeleteA Christmas prayer for you (and all other writers) -
*To be kind to ourselves
*To stop comparing ourselves to the descriptions of "real writers" and just write when we can
*To acknowledge that God knows how long it's going to take for us to finish a book - He has it all under control.
Have a blessed Christmas.
Michelle
I stumbled across you blog after a google search and I am glad I did. I am new to the world of writing but I must say I have fallen in love with it. If only I had time to devote totally to it. I did find you post encouraging and I hope to come by often to encourage myself to keep going.
ReplyDeleteI feel so alone at times. One day I had read every book at least twice in my house and wanted more. So I sat down and started punching out the book I wished I could read. I was amazed how the characters came to life and almost told me their stories as I went.
Do you know if there are any sites where I can connect to basic answers about writing. Or if you would be willing to let me ask you a few questions.
I am thankful for your post reguardless and will stop by again.
Thanks Michelle and Tari for your comments and encouragement. I can be hard on myself. I suppose I'm trying to whip myself into shape and stop being lazy. I am home all day, so I squander a lot of my writing time. It's all about discipline. That's my focus for '08.
ReplyDelete