Progress with Prudence . . .
These encouraging words came from http://thesunlitdesk.wordpress.com
Perseverance: Write daily
Trust: Don’t wait for creativity, expect it
Prudence: Have the good sense to know when not to write. Forcing writing when you just can’t get into it will foster resentment and make the next session hard to start
Time away?
Fairness: Don’t engage in self-flagellation for not writing
Sustainability: Finish the current project before moving on to a new one
Adventurousness: Try different genres, styles of writing etc
Initiative: Don’t wait to be praised and be original
Studiousness: Read daily – a writer is always absorbing and learning
Fastidiousness: Research everything.
Zeal: Do what makes your heart sing.
Now the one that most intrigued me and thrilled me, was Prudence. Partly because that is my name (never was a child so wrongly named but I guess my parents lived in hope) and partly because EVERY thing I have read on writing is that you keep writing no matter what. Just write yourself through that block, through that moment of utter hatred for every syllable of text in front of you. I love that at last someone is saying its okay to stop if you need to.
My theory is this. Whether you are a swimmer, an athlete, a trapeze artist, a chess-player or an embroiderer, even an explorer or a scientist – are you going to be any better for slogging through the down days? Is there not the risk of complete and utter burnout which may culminate in pure hatred for whatever craft you pursue and the demands of that craft?
I have just taken 2 months off after writing and editing solidly for three years. Sure I have dabbled in the word, but I have not touched the finished manuscript or the work in progress. I didn’t want to, I didn’t like any of it and needed to do other things.
Time away by the sea
Today, for the first time, my manuscript wandered into my mind and I didn’t throw it out. I found I had come to quite a significant decision, or at least my subconscious had. It was an amazingly positive thing. I shall pick up the threads in the next few weeks and work on, but it was so re-assuring to see that Prudence has its place.
Such an inspiring post Prue…
Writing daily, without waiting for inspiration to strike was the first advice my creative writing teacher gave me. I remember he said, “write constantly- no matter what. You can talk, dream and think about writing but unless you are writing- you’re not a writer.”
I think he had a point… Like you said, prudence is the key! 🙂
it’s pieces like these that spark inspiration. thanks for sharing it.
Lua and vvb32, it is inspiring. Especially if like me you hold to the belief that often it is better to walk away from the piece rather than try and slog through the tough times. By all means think about it, dream it but take time away from it, its prudent to do so. That’s the way I read it anyway. Thanks for calling by, it’s good to talk with friends again.
I so appreciate this posting as a reminder of some good sense that a writing coach gave me about a year ago. She insisted that contemplation was a part of the writing process. There were times when I would dread calling her because I hadn’t written anything that week. I would confess this to her sheepishly. After a bit of my self-flagellation, she would slowly manage to extract bits from me. With her help, I’d realize that while perhaps I hadn’t put finger to keyboard, I had worked out a plot dilemma or discovered that this or that scene wasn’t going to fit. Then the following week, I’d likely be able to go gang-busters at the keyboard.
I’m not suggesting that we use every life experience as an excuse of “research” instead of writing (which I’m probably capable of doing), but I also don’t believe that beating ourselves up (isn’t THAT what makes a writer a writer? :-)) for not slogging through is a solution either — at least it’s not for me.
Some people DO work well with pressure and force. I never did as a child, so why I thought I’d respond well to self-inflicted force as an adult, I don’t know.