Stop Being a Writer
Yes, stop being a writer. Not forever, but stop for a little while.
If you’re getting lost in your writing, be it the actual writing of a current projects or generating ideas for a new project, you’re probably blaming writer’s block, your walkabout muse, or something else. Sitting back and waiting for your muse to walk back into your life isn’t going to get your work done any faster. As Stephen King said, “Nothing attracts a muse more than the sound of hard work.�
Yes, you say, but that doesn’t do me any good when I don’t know what to write.
While writing is a wonderful art, most, if not all, of us came from the same roots: readers. Most of us started out as readers and dreamed of crafting our own works and weaving our own wonderful words. It’s only natural that after writing so much, we might forget our roots every now and then. The secret is reacquainting yourself with your reader self.
My friend, Hawke, recently said something I think is key: “I don’t read when I’m writing anything. I don’t want to accidentally steal ideas, even if it is subconscious. But when I’m not working on something, I’m an avid reader.�
Don’t forget your roots. Not only should you try to remember the original passion that drove you to write your own works, remember who you were (and are, hopefully) as a reader. Remember what you liked and disliked in all areas. Even for things as broad as whether you like a book to sweep you away, teach you something, or if you like a book to make you think in general.
Remember, if you haven’t read it, you can’t write it. Well, you can try, but it’d be like me writing about sky diving. I know people do it, but I know nothing else about it other than that. I could never write an article about it.
March 29th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
I think there is a lot of value in taking brief breaks with your work when nothing’s coming. I think it can allow ideas to settle in your mind and make a better project for it when you start to write again.
Or maybe that’s just my inner procrastinator speaking.
March 29th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
“Reading Like A Writer” by Francine Prose. Well worth the money.
March 29th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
kate - There’s a thin line between procrastination and just taking a break to let things settle, I think.
fool - Thank you for the recommendation. I’ll have to nose around and see if they have it over here.
March 30th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
I do stop, have a break, a breather and get things into perspective quite often. I find if I leep writing when my mind and body are both telling me not to, that I write rubbish or just don’t enjoy it.
I can’t agree on not reading while writing though, as for one I’ve always got some written work on the go, and secondly, I just love reading too much. I try not to steal or recycle ideas, but I’m sure a few subconscious ones get through from time to time.
March 31st, 2007 at 2:05 am
I tend to read less, at least, while I’m writing, but if I want to read, I just want to read. Then again, if I want to read, I tend to write less. It’s a give and tage with me.