Why write at all? (and the 3 things writers forget)

by | Oct 16, 2013 | coaching, writing

If you’re some way into your writing – either your career or your book – then you’ll most likely have thought this at some point:

Why write at all?

It’s one of those thoughts that comes after you find yourself thinking, “I seem to only be writing drivel today.”

Next it’s, “I’ve never written anything good… oh yeah, there was that article/blog post/book/series of books/screenplay, but THAT was a FLUKE!”

Then as Anne Lamott puts it, you’re scrounging the cab fare to the bridge…

I’m going to valiantly beat back the encroaching pity party and tell you exactly why you need to write, and not just at all, but in a committed, honest and habitual way.

I believe you need to write because you began writing. That’s a little screwy and unclear, so let me tell you a bit more: that urge you had to start writing? It means that you’ve got something in you that needs to be said. Sure, it might be a little hokey to start with, and it’ll come out in fits and starts that don’t gel well. But the key point here is that you had the urge to write, and the nous to get on and do it.

(Biggest thing writers forget: FIRST DRAFTS SUCK. Usually always. That’s ok, because they’re meant to.)

I believe you need to write because you’ll go a little loopy if you don’t. If you have that urge to write, but somehow just keep putting it off, and then forget all about it, you will start to feel a bit ‘off’ in your life. It’ll be ok, because we are really, really good at making do. We’re really good at doing all the things we ‘should’ be doing, and ignoring the call of things that are the big dreams that will make us feel we’ve actually lived. Making good, quality time on the page will make you happy if you are a writer. It won’t make you happy before you write, but you’ll feel so good once you have.

(Second biggest thing writers forget: PRIORITISE WRITING. Your health and happiness depend on it.)

I believe you need to write because writing is about connection with other people, and we’re social beings at heart. Taking the time to get your thoughts onto the page, into a semblance of order and making sure that you are out there, joining in the conversation about whatever-it-is that you’re writing about will keep you connected. This is not about rising through the ranks of Google, networking, or even about being published. It’s about finding likeminded souls out there who can feed your brain and your creativity, and take your thinking, and therefore your work, further. It’s getting to know others and their work and figuring out how your work intersects with theirs for the pure joy of talking with people who ‘get it.’

(Third biggest thing writers forget: WRITING IS NOT SOLITARY. The act is – but doesn’t have to be – but all the research, thinking, and playing with ideas happens better when you’re connected to other people.)

So when your mind rebels and asks you, “Why write at all?” and before you hit delete on your life’s work to date, remember these three things:

1-First drafts suck.

2-Prioritise writing, and

3-Writing is not solitary.

Now go and let that first draft suck, make sure that you are making time for your writing on the front burner of your life, and get yourself some writing friends!

Got a response? Let me know in the comments!

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