There are many articles and blogs written about whether a writer is a pantser or a plotter, but what about the motivation to write? How do different writers respond to the muse – or do they?
I have a friend who retired the same week I did to follow her passion for writing. Although I have had more short stories published during the intervening time period, she has written three times as many books as I have. She writes every day. If she knows she isn’t going to be able to write on a given day, she anticipates the extra words she needs to stay on schedule and works overtime in advance. Her books are excellent, but it is her productivity that overwhelms me.
For me, writing is a passion, but I don’t do it every day. When I try to be that rigid, I usually end up throwing out the words I write. They feel and read forced. I work best when I have a book deadline or am writing in response to a prompt or concept. In those instances, it is like having an out of body experience. Hours pass without me even realizing it. Often the final product needs little to no revision.
Sometimes, when I’m writing with this sense of freedom, I hit a brick wall. The words stop flowing or the idea doesn’t seem right. Some writers push through when this happens, but I pause and let my subconscious work. It may take days until I write again. Often, the answer comes to me in my sleep. Unlike a story idea that I may dream and forget, the thoughts that come to me in my sleep are more of an understanding of how the piece should proceed. The words may not be there, yet, but the mechanism for moving forward is.
What about you? Do you write every day? Do you work out problems with your WIP in your sleep? Is there a motivation difference between a writer who writes every day and one who writes in spurts like I do?
I write every day, but much of the time is spent on revisions. When I'm tackling new material, I putter around the house and yard until the great shazam! hits, then frantically pound the keyboard.
ReplyDeleteMy most productive writing weeks have no other obligations than walking the dogs, cooking dinner, and beating my body at the gym. No appointments, conference calls, or meetings.
Hum, before my day job required 12 hour days just to stay above water, I wrote daily and it was wonderful. Now that I am working nutty hours I am a spurt writer, but a daily note-taker. My shazam ideas strike in the shower most often, or while I'm completely occupied doing something else. Thus, the notes!
ReplyDeleteMargaret... I'm impressed. I can't get to it every twelve hours. Kait, at least you can make notes.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was teaching, I could only write during the summer. I tended to write almost every day, but sometimes I'd hit that wall and have to take a break. Often what would happen is that I'd say to myself, "Okay, you may take a day off." I go on to do other things, then inspiration would hit and I'd be back to work. Usually, though, I would only write 5 days a week.
ReplyDeleteDo I write every day? Now that my deadline for book 2 is looming, I write every day. But other than that, I'm not driven to write every day. I read about people who are so driven that they can't go a day without writing. I'm not that driven. But when I do start writing and I find the words flowing, like you, the hours fly by and it becomes a pleasure.
ReplyDeleteI have a few hours set aside every day for writing, but it's discouraging how often something else intervenes. I find I do bet when I can write pretty much every day.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I'd like to indulge in a marathon writing sessions (I used to do it when I didn't have quite so many care-taking responsibilities)but the opportunity doesn't often present itself.
KM, it is tough to focus when care-taking responsibilities are on your shoulders -- even when you have "free" time, you often don't have a free mind. It's a wonder you write as many complex stories as you do. Grace, deadlines will do that for you, won't they? unknown, I agree .. life dictates when you have the time, but sometimes, your mind needs a break. Thanks all for your comments.
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