Here are a few posts that tie in perfectly with the writing theme I adopted last year. Let’s keep approaching our work in an intentional, life-giving way — even if it feels counter-productive.
To this my doctor responded, “So basically you use sugar and caffeine to whip yourself into a manic frenzy in order to write a book?” After I nodded grimly at her assessment, she went on, “Well, we either need to figure out how to completely overhaul your writing process or you need to find a new career, because being an author is literally killing you.”
My doctor’s pronouncement was both devastating and a big “duh” moment for me. Rather than give up the career I love, I decided to dedicate myself to creating healthier (and happier) writing habits.
— Beating Deadlines with Healthy Writing Habits by Bree Despain :: Publishing Crawl
If you’re a somewhat neurotic and anxiety prone writer like myself, you probably have a voice inside your head that likes to tell you that you’re not good enough, or your writing isn’t good enough, or that everything you put on a page is crap and you’re never going make your deadline on time (or finish this book, or sell this book, etc.). For me, this voice goes into hyperdrive when I’m on deadline. I start questioning all of my plot choices and second-guessing every word I type. It can be crippling if I don’t either turn it off or change the words that it’s telling me.
—Beating Deadlines with Healthy Writing Habits Part 2: Write Happy by Bree Despain :: Fiction University
I now approach writing focused on what could be instead of what I think it should be. Instead of expecting results NOW, I accept that writing is a long journey, where going slow is the norm.
—Author Overwhelm: Five Ways You Can Stay Away from Despair :: Children’s Writer’s Guild
But I am learning more and more, especially over the past year, that being nonproductive is actually essential to mindful, intentional living. In fact, being nonproductive is one of the most productive things we can ever do—even if the behavior wars against every inclination in our body.
— The Productivity of Being Non-Productive :: Becoming Minimalist
Writing certainly is a long journey, “where going slow is the norm.” These are wonderful quotes. Thank you for sharing them. The last one reminds me of what Laurie Halse Anderson told us at a workshop I attended. I don’t have an exact quote for you, but essentially she told us to take time away from writing and visit a museum or go to a park and soak up life and art and beauty.
Yes! Artist dates. Refilling the Well. Can you tell I’m reading The Artist’s Way this year?
So happy you are caring for your artist-self with The Artist’s Way! Excited for you. And just today a kid at a school visit had a on-target, unexpected response to the “what does a writer do all day” question… he said, “eat healthy and exercise.” Yes, that, too. 🙂
I’m really enjoying it! Id’ picked it up a few years ago but never finished. I was surprised and heartened to see notes to myself in it: Get to know this character named May Betterly.
And the eating healthy and exercising sure makes the work easier, doesn’t it? I don’t need my health being the challenge. Just the writing!
THANK YOU. I can’t hear this often enough.
Me neither. Hence the frequency here!
I particularly liked the comment about nonproductive times being productive. I have found that to be true, but I don’t always have confidence in that insight.