Writing and Hard Work

I am sure there are plenty more stay-at-home moms and other adults that can relate to your situation. The Internet has created a lifeline for many people who don't have the ability (or time or energy) to get out and interact with the world. It's no substitute, of course, but it fulfills a real need for human interaction, I think.

I like your attitude. Talk about taking negative experiences and turning them positive. Personal experience pieces can be some of the most powerful we read. It's nice to know that other people have struggled and come out on the other side. It's inspiring and no matter what people say, we all need good inspiration. They've found that writers tend to be more psychologically balanced than other professions (not all of us, obviously), but as a general rule. Why? They (yes, the great THEY) theorize it's because we get a lot of our emotional baggage out in the course of our writing. Whether they're right or not, I don't know. But, if I enjoy it and it's good for my mental health, why not?

Since I love to write, and I have a lot to write about, I guess I will be doing it for a while. I am making money at it so it's good for me. LOL I guess I can't do much without leaving the house, but this I certainly can. It does relieve some of my tensions because I really don't have any outlets to talk with. This is my "adult" conversations. LOL

Everybody has some kind of issues with their writing. Nobody's perfect. That doesn't mean we don't keep trying to be. Learning is par for the course. If we don't try to improve, we stagnate and there is nothing worse than stagnant writing. That you want feedback is admirable. It's not easy to get honest criticism. There are those who believe that tearing someone apart is "helpful." There are others who believe you should just focus on the good. The fact is we need both. We need to have our work really looked at for the good and bad. Without knowing both we don't know what needs to change.

Sure. I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for. But if I can help, I'd be happy to try.

By any chance, would you mind if I ask feedback from you if we happen to come across with each others path again. It would really help me and I would really appreciate it:)

That is one thing that I think many people who read an article don't realize, the time that goes into the research and writing of it. You've hit the nail on the head. I always wish I could write faster, but perhaps I should be wishing that I could research faster?

unusualsuspect: Being creative is difficult. Writing is creative. We are using words to create something new and different. Taking research and making it into something that can help people while maintaining their interest is a huge challenge. The fact that an article took you nearly a week shows your impressive dedication. You wanted to produce the best product and were willing to work for it. I hope that you are rewarded for that. So often, people think writers just magically do what they do. They don't realize the mental effort it requires. You're not the only one to end up with a headache as a result of his/her labor. Trust me, after an especially hard day, most people know to pass me the aspirin.

AnythingArt: You've hit the nail on the head. Nobody ever sees what's going on behind the scenes. They don't recognize that writing, while fun, is work. It takes energy both physical and mental, to put words on paper. Trying to think of new ways to say things is both enjoyable and maddening. I don't know if writing or researching faster is really the answer. I think everyone has their own style of doing it and they have to respect that. As much as we wish it, we're not machines. We have to follow the internal drive or run the risk of being to slapdash in our work.

Sometimes it feels like you're stumbling around in a dark room, looking for the light switch. You know it's there, but you just can't get your fingers around it. But, there's an appeal there. The more we stumble around, we never know what we'll stumble across. Writing can be a great adventure. And on any adventure, you will get frustrated. You will stub your toe and curse. But when the light finally comes on, you might just get to see something truly sublime.

Yeah. When each word feels like wringing blood from a turnip. And sometimes I think getting blood from a turnip would be easier. You're right though, keeping at it is the only way. You can't just raise a hand to your forehead and say "It is all so difficult *le sigh*." You have to work at it, wringing those words out, giving birth to that baby. Do you ever find that you really have to throw something out? It's just too hard, the words just aren't coming anymore? Is everything salvageable? That's a problem I have sometimes, figuring out what needs to be binned and what should be polished.

The Morgue File! I know it well. Where all those bits and bobs go to be resurrected one day. It's a great tool for inspiration.

I hear you there my friend! I actually rarely scratch anything. It's like throwing away a child, no matter how insignificant it seems. I actually keep a folder where I put my "pieces." I use the file for all of my writing ventures; music, poetry, articles or books. Then those rainy days when I don't feel inspired at all I did out the folder and browse through it. Many times fires are rekindled and I can rejuvenate a piece or two.

It can be hard when the words don't flow naturally. It's interesting that you say when you are in a role. Do you view writing like acting? It can sort of like donning a part and playing it out. That's one of the beauties of being a writer, you can be anyone in any situation and yet, you're still in control. Ideas aren't so much the problem for me. Getting them into words is where the challenge lies. It can be very frustrating to know where I want a piece to go only to find I can't express it.

I know exactly what you mean about having the ideas and being unable to express them - in fact i am having that problem right this minute and am taking some time out in the hope it will come to me. i'm on a time restraint too which i think makes it more difficult. too much pressure and writing should be fun :)

One of the perks and downsides to being a writer is the fact that we, in essence, work in a vacuum. It's just us in that garret, writing away. Somehow we have to make our work something other people want to read. How do we do that when we're the only ones judging? It's difficult. You have to put on two different hats. One is the creator putting the words on the page. The other is editor/judge, making sure the words are up to snuff. Sometimes all you can do is hope. Good luck.

Good for you. Ideas aren't the problem for me either. My real problem is when the words won't come. It's so good that you can do it on a regular basis. That's one of the hallmarks of a professional. Butt in chair sort of thing. That commitment to writing will stand you in good stead as you go along. It's good for more than writing, too. Your discipline will more than likely translate into other fields as well.

Good for you. I see so many people who don't think they need to improve. It's always the other people's problems, not the authors. We can all improve. No matter how good we've gotten, we can get better. Sometimes I wish writing could be easy. But, I think if it were, I would appreciate it as much. It wouldn't be satisfying. There is something about the writing and rewriting that makes me feel like I've actually done something. Putting the words on the page, creating something from nothing, then polishing that up; it's akin to building something. If it just danced off my fingers, I wouldn't appreciate it as much.

I know what you mean. There are days where your little universe just spreads out before you and all you have to do write what's there. It's almost as if the words are the road in front of you. Other days, it's picking up a stray word here and there but none make any sense and you just can't find the flow. Sometimes letting the "stuck" pieces sit for a while can be really helpful. There have been pieces where I just couldn't go one word forward. I let it sit for a week, came back and all of a sudden a new vista opened up before me. Maybe the subconscious needed to work on it for a while before letting me in on the plot? Have you ever found that one of your "stuck" pieces just wasn't worth it? That's hard for me. Determining when something is a sow's ear and will never be a silk purse.

I agree that it is a matter of discipline. Work is work is work. It's great when you have a passion for something but nobody has a passion for all aspects of their job, no matter how much they love it. It's good you have the wherewithal to be so clinical about what you're doing. Having emotional distance from our work can provide much needed perspective. Research is a huge part of writing articles. If you don't do your research it's difficult to write something interesting that will hold a reader's attention. However, I hesitate to judge others work process. It's dangerous to just generalize that people are lazy. Your interest in writing about little done topics stands you in good stead but people may choose not to research those topics not out of laziness but rather a lack of interest. That you are interested in them is wonderful, because there are readers who really want to know about those topics.

It sucks doesn't it. Sometimes those words just won't flow out, no matter what you do. You pound your head against the keyboard, hoping to knock something loose, but they're all locked up tight. For me, the real challenge is conveying in words the images I see in my head. And sometimes my characters just get fed up with me and walk off. I don't know where they go, but they certainly aren't where I can get to them. You're right, it is incredibly frustrating.

I do find writing outside opens something inside me. Someone once said that if you have think big thoughts go someplace that can hold them. I like that idea. Outside your creativity can be as big as the entire outdoors. But, it's not always feasible to work outside. Sometimes wet stuff is falling, or it's too cold. And not everyone lives in a place where they can get to mountains. While it's a nice change of pace to work outside, you still have to find a way to work in the non-inspiring environments.

I think there is glory in both. Granted the monetary glory of finishing is worth a lot more than the satisfaction of the process. You're right, when you hit that zone and the words just keep coming no matter what happens around you, it's magical. It's something that can't even really be explained to other people. I had a spell of a week where I typed as fast as my fingers would carry me. It was exhausting and fun. However, to the people around me, it looked like I was one step away from men in white coats. When I tried to tell them it was all good, they subtly began reaching for the phone. Explaining writing to others is a thankless task. Good luck to you.