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William Faulkner said, “I only write when I am inspired. Fortunately I am inspired at 9 o’clock every morning.” Most of the effort is just in being there every day to do whatever it is you do. That is true of anyone in any field, but it is especially true of writers. If a writer does not take his or her work seriously and make a valiant effort to produce something worth reading, then why should anyone else take it seriously?
I will not deny the concept of “writer’s block” altogether, but I think that it happens much less frequently to those who force themselves to write at least a little every single day. I say force because sometimes it is a real battle. Sometimes when there is a blank mind and house full of things to do, then any excuse will be enough to walk away from the writing. Doing that one day may not seem like a bad thing. After doing it a few days one is still able to come up with more excuses. Then it continues. Before long the “writer” should be asking if maybe the essence of who they are is less of a writer than they once thought.
Priorities change. People change. Writers write. Real writers show up. They come to the table ready to work on the “inspired” piece, knowing that nothing is perfect without work. They may not write every day, but they always come back to it. It’s in their blood.
If you don’t feel yourself wanting to work at the writing, maybe it isn’t for you. That is OK! But if the stirring is there, meet it in the face often and consistently. It will be worth it.
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Same thing with music… and meditation… and work… could be a pattern here.
I think you are right. Being present is what makes the difference in any field. Writing is the topic for this site, but the same can be true of almost anything. Being present and passionate is what is important.
see also this ted Video [Author Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity](http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html)
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Decent article. I find that there are times when I am inspired to write and in these moments I have written entire screenplays in one seven hour sitting, but these moments are few and far between. We can’t be touched by divinity all the time. The truth is a good writer will set a schedule and stick to it no matter what. Now I write 1 chapter a week every Tuesday even if I don’t want to. It comes because it has to, a real writer an create inspiration. Imagine a doctor who could only operate when he felt "in the zone" or an actor who would stare blankly at the camera for hours waiting for inspiration. Writers write all the time no matter what and good ones treat as equal parts work and play.
This comment was originally posted on Reddit
Decent article. I find that there are times when I am inspired to write and in these moments I have written entire screenplays in one seven hour sitting, but these moments are few and far between. We can’t be touched by divinity all the time. The truth is a good writer will set a schedule and stick to it no matter what. Now I write 1 chapter a week every Tuesday even if I don’t want to. It comes because it has to, a real writer an create inspiration. Imagine a doctor who could only operate when he felt “in the zone” or an actor who would stare blankly at the camera for hours waiting for inspiration.
Writers write all the time no matter what and good ones treat as equal parts work and play.
The Requiem
@Baphomet2013, Very good point! Has it become easier for you to establish your regular weekly rhythm over time? Do you include editing in your writing time, or make separate time for it? It definitely does take work when one wants to write seriously.
It usually hits when I’m on the toilet. No I don’t mean that as a joke. I do some of my best thinking on the bowl because it’s the only place in the house with zero distractions.
This comment was originally posted on Reddit
Thanks for your submission to the Fifty Fourth edition of the Blog Carnival: Blogging. Your post has been accepted and its live:
http://thatsblog.com/blog-carnival-blogging/blog-carnival-blogging-fifty-fourth-edition
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