While sitting here listening to the crickets and cicada, it occurs to me that I have been neglecting my passion. Not ignoring it, all out not even wanting to write. I wonder if it is because of the weather, my pain levels, or just plain laziness. Perhaps, because it is summer and wickedly hot and amazingly sticky, that the desire to do anything at all is too much to hope for. At any rate, I decided tonight that I would try to write a post every night, even if it is nothing more than a minuscule rant such as this. I once heard (maybe from a movie) that if you wake up in the morning and can think of nothing else, then that is what you are supposed to do. I go to sleep, dream, wake up, and lumber through my day thinking of nothing but writing. So why is it so hard to get going?
Thinking of my favorite author, Robert A Heinlein, I recall he had a thing about rules for writing. One of those rules is you must write. Though it seems rather simple, it is much harder to put into practice. One must make time to write every day. Write a blog, a short story, an idea, a poem...anything...just take an hour and write anything. Even if it makes no sense to anyone but you...write.
Another of the rules said something about not rewriting except for editorial requirements. This I like as when I write something, I write it as I want it, not as another would have me write. I think even should I get a writing gig, I would have a hard time rewriting to someone else's requirements. I would do it...not for the money, but for the opportunity to get my name and my work out for the world to see.
I cannot remember any of the others, but those two are really enough. I will write for me and if it sells or is good or bad, I will own it and try harder to write something of substance next time. I have another blog called paragraph a day project...perhaps I should dust it off and begin writing in it every day and save this blog for my personal thoughts and sharing ideas (ideals?) At any rate, I look forward to any constructive criticism...that does not give you license to rip me apart...that might help me write better and tell a more compelling story.
Comments can be made here or can be emailed to me at xopherrei@icloud.com
Until tomorrow, Adieu!
1 comment:
I can empathize with you or maybe even sympathize. I've had a heck of a time trying to sit down and write. For me, some of my neglect, or avoidance, or inability to write certainly came from what I was experiencing; the results of an overactive thyroid. Man, it was wrecking my everything. With recovery on the rise, I've started writing a journal. I miss some days but I've done more writing over the last month than I've done in a year. Nevertheless, the hell with the critics write for your own psychological well being :)
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