You are currently browsing comments. If you would like to return to the full story, you can read the full entry here: “Do You Want to Write? Then Lie (to Yourself)”.
Subscribe to RSS Feed
Yes, this is me
-
Recent Entries
- I’m Back Up Again
- Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami – the Novel
- Hachi – a dog’s tale – film and thoughts
- Conditioning – part of the writer’s life?
- A bridge from this life to a writer’s life
- Never Let Me Go – Film
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel
- Hello, remember me? The slug in a human body.
- The Road by Cormac McCarthy, Novel and Film
- Writing Breaks. I Need Them. Do You?
Word of the Day
Categories
- A Writer's Life (2)
- Blogging (3)
- Book Trailers (2)
- Books (13)
- Films (13)
- Marketing (10)
- Music (2)
- People who Inspire (6)
- Writing (25)
Archive
- April 2012 (1)
- May 2011 (1)
- April 2011 (1)
- March 2011 (5)
- January 2011 (1)
- December 2010 (1)
- November 2010 (2)
- October 2010 (5)
- September 2010 (8)
- August 2010 (10)
- July 2010 (16)
- June 2010 (13)
Pingback: Tweets that mention Do You Want to Write? Then Lie (to Yourself) by Heather Spiva | jessiemac.com -- Topsy.com
Love this!
It reminds me of the great Patrick Alan’s #1k1hr twitter tag http://patrick-alan.com/?page_id=1182. If you haven’t yet heard about this, Patrick came up with a sort of competition. There are no prizes other than the satisfaction of knowing you wrote a thousand words in an hour.
Author Sean Ferrell once told me that all books get written the same way: one word at a time. (Or something like that.) Better to get the words down until the story is done than wait for inspiration to strike, for days to magically expand to greater than 24 hours, for the kids to grow up, for your life to settle down.
Make the time. There are many days I manage no more than a paragraph of new words.
Great post!
Patty, thanks for the link to Patrick Alan’s site. I read the page and believe it or not, I do that already. Now I have a hashtag to use. It’s great to know that there is a group of writers out there doing this already.
You’re right, if I wait for inspiration, it will never come. So I just write.
Thanks for popping by my blog.
Hi. Just came across your blog through FB (through Alisa Wagner). Glad to find you! This is a great post. Thanks for the tip. Look forward to reading more
Kim
Jessie, many thanks for this post….I believe it is a simple trick of discipline or in the words of Joseph Campbell “Writers block results from too much head. Cut off your head (mind). You have to be reckless when writing. Be as crazy as your conscience allows.” He also said: “When writing don’t criticize the words coming out. Just let them come. Let go of the critical factor.” I think that is the problem, we are too critical when we write…so let go and let it flow. As you say “So I just write.” Great post and reminder. James
Got your tweet – thanks for popping by. I like the quote from Joseph Campbell. The first sentence sounds a bit rude without the rest but my mind is in a strange place – alcohol related.
You’re right, if you criticize, nothing gets written. Criticize when editing. But by that time, you’re all done and it needs paring down and changing.
Good to see you Kim. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Ha – well alcohol related is a ‘tool’ that has helped many writers….I agree when I first read the Campbell quote I shivered but when I saw the deeper meaning I got his point…although I still shivered when I typed it in your comment though! He also said use writing time as letters of love…picture someone you love as if they are sitting across from you and “It is a great facilitator to have a specific person in mind.” I do this with my writing and it has never failed me. I picture the person I have in mind reading the sentence and know it will resonate with them.
Happy to be connected, James
Alcohol as ‘tool’ – I think in moderation it helps, sometimes. Everything in moderation.
I think it’s great that you find inspiration in writing as if they were love letters. Glad to connect. I checked out your blog and thanks for the link.
Again, thanks for commenting.
Heather, thanks for the good tips. When I’ve been distracted for a period of time, I actually break the 15 minute principle down to 5 minutes. I have to write several articles a week, and sometimes 5 minutes can start a pretty good base. And, I very often rush right past the 5 min and spend 30 minutes or an hour. Good post, thanks for writing. And Jessie, thanks for running this guest post. wb
Warren, 5 mins is a good idea because it sounds like nothing. I do this sort of mind trick with myself for writing and for exercise – jogging – telling myself that it’s only 20 mins. And you’re right, once you’re at it, you tend to go on more than what you intend to.
I think it feels good because you’ve set a goal that is ultimately achievable. And you end up doing something that seems so hard before you start.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Heather hits the nail on the head with this one. Whether it be writing, music,or painting, discipline is key in taking your art. The great artists are able to create when there is no feeling. They’re able to push through the long hours “in the middle”, where exhaustion exceeds inspiration. In the end, it’s these people who gets to celebrate a piece of work that is actually seen by others and valued.
Hi Alex – sorry for getting back to you so late – I’ve been away on a reading retreat. Everything you said is so true. Discipline does not come naturally to me and sometimes I push but if pushing doesn’t work, I forgive myself and do something else and try again another day.
Alex, yes! Exactly. When we do what we need to do and write those words, we will eventually reap from our sowing … even if it takes a while. Thank you for your compliments and comments.