Do you ever ask yourself why you are reading, gardening, shopping, washing windows, or, perhaps, scrubbing your tile floor with a toothbrush instead of writing? Although, you’ve convinced yourself that this task is more important than finishing your novel or writing that article or story, it’s actually probably because what you’re doing is easier or more enjoyable.
You’ve come to a difficult place in your project and you are finding ways to avoid it. Or you are close to finishing and you have issues with that. Either you are attached to the process and don’t want to look for another writing project or you are fearful of what comes next—rejection, hard publishing decisions, etc…
Have you ever examined your reasons for dodging the writing work that’s waiting for you in your office or the corner of your bedroom or den? Do you convince yourself that it is because you have more important things to do—a lot on your plate?
I meet writers often who admit they just don’t have the time to write. Some simply can’t seem to carve out the time to write. One such writer attended a conference where I was speaking. She came up to me during a social event and said, “I just can’t figure out a way to fit writing into my schedule. Do you have any ideas?” I said, “Maybe writing isn’t a high enough priority in your life. If you want to write, you must be motivated. What motivates you to write? What motivates you to do what you do instead of write?”
She looked blankly at me and moved on. Later, I heard her bring up the same subject to a group of attendees.
I have often wondered, what did she want to hear? Was she seeking permission to spend time writing? Maybe she was told as a child that writing was a waste of time and she should be doing something more constructive. Perhaps she loves writing so much that she believes she doesn’t deserve to pursue it. Or maybe it is just hard work for her and, unconsciously, she continually seeks ways to avoid it.
Do you wish you could spend more time writing? Are you clear about the reasons why you don’t? Are there more pressing priorities? Do you have your priorities rather confused? If you look at your daily schedule (or lack of), are there things you could omit? How much time do you spend in front of the TV, for example? Do you typically sleep more than 8 hours at night? What type of activities do you engage in when you get up early or stay up late? Could you be writing then? Are you like I was when I started writing and you must have everything else done before you can spend time writing? Is there something you are doing that is not contributing to your health and well being? Could this activity (or lack of) be eliminated to make time for writing?
I’d like to hear from those of you who have trouble finding time to write and those who are motivated to write. I’d like to know what motivates you? Why do you sit down every day or a few times each week and write? What things have you changed or eliminated in order to write?
When I started writing for publication, I was motivated by my passion for writing. I tell people that I couldn’t not write. When it became necessary that I had to make a living, my motivation shifted a little. Now I was motivated by my passion as well as my need to earn a living. This meant making sacrifices and establishing new priorities. What about you?
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I can think of easier ways to earn a living. It is hard to imagine that writing for money is considered a practical choice.
Would love to hear more from you and others on this topic.
Patricia
Most writers don’t make money to quit a day job. Writing is like most passions, if you don’t do it you feel stifled, unfulfilled. Conversely, you feel better after you tell your story, sometimes like purging onto paper.
Ive been at this crazy writing business for nearly fifty years and I can think of few professions that are less practical. If you’re intending to become a writer to earn an income, you’d better learn to live darned cheaply or plan on a side job at the local car wash.
What motivates me to write? If I don’t write, I get surly, moody and downright cantakerous. Like Patricia, I can’t not write. If you see me and I’m not writing, take my word for it. It’s not me.