Great discussion topic! For myself, I've redefined procrastination. I have non-writing writing days, because everywhere I go and whatever I do I'm thinking about how I can use the experience in my work. Even reading the paper or doing the crossword or, as this morning, shopping, is grist to the mill. By redefining it, I don't have to beat myself up for not doing it!
I do like the idea of redefining it, and of deciding in advance how to orient the day—whether a focused work day, or one that's a little looser and more for experience and wandering.
Yes me too, Terry! Also, I try to contain my writing. Otherwise I find it becomes mush. Charles: the best subheading I’ve read in a long time. Thanks for this reflection.
Exactly, Sharron! I was reading a few weeks ago a famous writer (can't recall who) said that writers never really go on holiday, because everything is grist to the mill, so they never truly switch off.
"... especially since we’ve witnessed the unfortunate demise of daytime cocktails as an acceptable nudge to get the pen moving..." Wait. Seriously? Apparently we did not get that memo in Santa Cruz. I am always curious about how other writers write ( or fail to write ); it can be a lonely business. Sometimes I imagine a guy with a hook dragging me off the stage and arresting me for impersonating a writer. Another provocative essay, Charles. Thank you.
I came across an apt quote today - “Laughter is the closest distance between two people” - Victor Borge, Danish comedian.
Ernest Shackleton remarked on the importance of humour in keeping the spirits up of his stranded crew - we should never take ourselves too seriously even in the most dire of circumstances. Adopt the spirit of the fool, and leap before we look.
Have you read his ships logs. Completely harrowing and another level of bravery. He rowed by himself in the ships dingy to find rescuers for his ship wrecked « Endurance » crew in Antarctica.
On writing: If I try to force it, I will fail and my writing suffers. If I act on inspiration, it seems to flow naturally. Waiting for the inspiration, that's the intimidating part. What if it never comes? I've been "lucky" so far as it does seem to come when I need it.
My sense is that there's something between trying to force it, which as you mentioned can make the writing suffer, and waiting until it arrives, which probably limits some outcomes. The ideal spot, for me at least, is somewhere between those two. Thank you for the comment.
Right! In approaching a new piece of fiction, I will often just write one sentence and walk away. I come back later, and add a second sentence. By the end of the day, I am on my way. I often feel like and old steam train, chugging, pulling the load, slowly gaining momentum right at first, then soon I am rolling at great speed... Exhilarating!
Interesting possibility, the fear of writing being surpassed by the need to write. For me, as a dedicated introvert, it is the fear of being read overcome by the love of writing. In the end, you just have to do it. Stephen King wrote about the necessity of showing up regularly to write, so that the guy with the cigar would show up to sprinkle some magic. If you don't show up, he won't either (King, 20002, On Writing).
Discipline helps. The order of a regular writing practice. But sometimes a small walk about, perhaps for an IPA at the local brewery, with Moleskine and pen in hand to record epiphanies and pieces of inspired conversation, is equally important. Charles Bukowski surely took it too far in his alcohol fueled existence, and yet he managed to find some brilliant words.
I do like the contradiction of knowing that you need both discipline and the occasional walk. There are no rules. If you try to create one—to always work, to always walk—it probably won't quite work. At least that keeps it interesting.
Perhaps because I started as a pianist and made my living as an artist, I’ve learned to trust procrastination. I’ve always seen the delay as a signal that something creative is gestating. Not quite ready to be born yet. The inchoate requires a delicate patience. Belief. In the meantime I practice. Never less than a page a day. Playing the piano still haunts my imagination. The passion of my youth.
« Most writers don’t practice sentences like a musician plays scales, even though it would help, and most writers don’t play with words on the page like an artist draws aimlessly in a sketchbook, even though that, too, would help. »
A signal "that something creative is gestating" is a very good way to put it. And continuing to practice while you wait, as you mentioned, sounds like the right approach to me. Thank you for the comment.
Great discussion topic! For myself, I've redefined procrastination. I have non-writing writing days, because everywhere I go and whatever I do I'm thinking about how I can use the experience in my work. Even reading the paper or doing the crossword or, as this morning, shopping, is grist to the mill. By redefining it, I don't have to beat myself up for not doing it!
I do like the idea of redefining it, and of deciding in advance how to orient the day—whether a focused work day, or one that's a little looser and more for experience and wandering.
Yes, and I agree with Kathleen: I loved that subheading!
Yes me too, Terry! Also, I try to contain my writing. Otherwise I find it becomes mush. Charles: the best subheading I’ve read in a long time. Thanks for this reflection.
Thank you for the kind words and the comment.
"mush": 😂 Totally agree. You kind of know when it's going nowhere don't you?
Yes, Terry! Good. I am so glad I am not the only one using this sleight of logic. There are stories everywhere, aren't there.
Exactly, Sharron! I was reading a few weeks ago a famous writer (can't recall who) said that writers never really go on holiday, because everything is grist to the mill, so they never truly switch off.
"... especially since we’ve witnessed the unfortunate demise of daytime cocktails as an acceptable nudge to get the pen moving..." Wait. Seriously? Apparently we did not get that memo in Santa Cruz. I am always curious about how other writers write ( or fail to write ); it can be a lonely business. Sometimes I imagine a guy with a hook dragging me off the stage and arresting me for impersonating a writer. Another provocative essay, Charles. Thank you.
Thank you for the kind words, Sharron.
I came across an apt quote today - “Laughter is the closest distance between two people” - Victor Borge, Danish comedian.
Ernest Shackleton remarked on the importance of humour in keeping the spirits up of his stranded crew - we should never take ourselves too seriously even in the most dire of circumstances. Adopt the spirit of the fool, and leap before we look.
Have you read his ships logs. Completely harrowing and another level of bravery. He rowed by himself in the ships dingy to find rescuers for his ship wrecked « Endurance » crew in Antarctica.
That's a good quote. Thank you for adding it here.
On writing: If I try to force it, I will fail and my writing suffers. If I act on inspiration, it seems to flow naturally. Waiting for the inspiration, that's the intimidating part. What if it never comes? I've been "lucky" so far as it does seem to come when I need it.
My sense is that there's something between trying to force it, which as you mentioned can make the writing suffer, and waiting until it arrives, which probably limits some outcomes. The ideal spot, for me at least, is somewhere between those two. Thank you for the comment.
Right! In approaching a new piece of fiction, I will often just write one sentence and walk away. I come back later, and add a second sentence. By the end of the day, I am on my way. I often feel like and old steam train, chugging, pulling the load, slowly gaining momentum right at first, then soon I am rolling at great speed... Exhilarating!
Muscle memory. Why we practice.
Interesting possibility, the fear of writing being surpassed by the need to write. For me, as a dedicated introvert, it is the fear of being read overcome by the love of writing. In the end, you just have to do it. Stephen King wrote about the necessity of showing up regularly to write, so that the guy with the cigar would show up to sprinkle some magic. If you don't show up, he won't either (King, 20002, On Writing).
I certainly agree—showing up regularly is often underestimated as a trigger for creativity. Thank you for the comment.
Discipline helps. The order of a regular writing practice. But sometimes a small walk about, perhaps for an IPA at the local brewery, with Moleskine and pen in hand to record epiphanies and pieces of inspired conversation, is equally important. Charles Bukowski surely took it too far in his alcohol fueled existence, and yet he managed to find some brilliant words.
I do like the contradiction of knowing that you need both discipline and the occasional walk. There are no rules. If you try to create one—to always work, to always walk—it probably won't quite work. At least that keeps it interesting.
Perhaps because I started as a pianist and made my living as an artist, I’ve learned to trust procrastination. I’ve always seen the delay as a signal that something creative is gestating. Not quite ready to be born yet. The inchoate requires a delicate patience. Belief. In the meantime I practice. Never less than a page a day. Playing the piano still haunts my imagination. The passion of my youth.
« Most writers don’t practice sentences like a musician plays scales, even though it would help, and most writers don’t play with words on the page like an artist draws aimlessly in a sketchbook, even though that, too, would help. »
A signal "that something creative is gestating" is a very good way to put it. And continuing to practice while you wait, as you mentioned, sounds like the right approach to me. Thank you for the comment.
Yoga for the pen?
Thank you for the comment and kind words.