I don’t write to be famous, I don’t write to be known, I write because I am and I want to be read. How sad to fill a room with paintings no one sees or play music no one hears. Writing is talking without sound, singing without score and dancing without movement and yet, it is all of them. It is a solitary art conjured from thought and expressed by the need to communicate.

HEAD SLAPS, SPEED BUMPS and LIGHTBULBS, one woman's WTF, oops and ah-ha moments of life.

They were published once, and as every writer knows, once is not enough.




Monday, December 2, 2013

'betcha can't eat just one



There is one thing I think writers miss when it comes to the whole “write every day” directive.
For us, or at least for me, writing is like eating. I must eat ‘something’ every single day; I must eat ‘something’ a few times a day. Once in awhile the meals are large and often I graze all day long. I don’t eat the same thing all the time; I mean really, I don't gorge, it’s not Thanksgiving dinner 365. But my breakfasts and lunches are almost always the same meal. I count points, it’s easier that way.
It’s the same with writing. I count words, it’s easier that way.

You don’t have to turn out a chapter a day on your great American novel, not even one page or one word. What is important is that you feed the writing soul, the scribbling virus, the scrolling monster that inhabits you. Write something, anything, just to keep the obsession fed.

I have to write my column because my contract requires me to meet deadline; (daily caloric intake). I have to write blog posts and comments; (snacks). It is imperative that I add words to one of my larger projects, the novel, memoir or collective; (dinner). If I don’t eat I wither, if I don’t write I am empty. Being hungry is good, it’s inspiring, being full is uncomfortable; you’ve got to let your belt out, being satisfied is enough.

So eat - write - something every single day.
This post idea started as a one sentence blog comment. Thanks Lyra, once YOU opened the bag I couldn’t stop.   
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6 comments:

  1. Jen G.December 2, 2013 at 12:37 PM

    This is an awesome analogy! Totally makes sense and takes some of the pressure to crank out "a chapter" or something specific.

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    1. Carolynnwith2NsDecember 2, 2013 at 9:48 PM

      It figures that I'd use food. I used to give driving directions with restaurants as landmarks.
      Okay, snack over and back to daily caloric intake. It needs something bubbly.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousDecember 10, 2013 at 8:57 AM

    I agree with Jennine - great analogy! And to take it even a step further...you can also compare that daily intake in relation to writing as sometimes having to eat your peas. You don't want peas, you want chocolate, but today, the writing was like peas. And like that it goes...

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    Replies
    1. Carolynnwith2NsDecember 10, 2013 at 10:10 AM

      Yesterday's writing was lima beans. I hate lima beans so I avoided it at all cost. This morning...hot fudge sundae all the way. If I didn't have to leave for work early, it's snowing and I have to give myself some extra time, I'd be gorging on the sweetness of the words all day today. Forced diet I guess.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousDecember 13, 2013 at 9:48 PM

    This post is making me hungry. Did somebody say hot fudge sundae?

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