The Agony and the Ecstasy
Posted by Linda on 03 Mar 2009 | Tagged as: Chit Chat
Am I the only writer who seems to find whatever part of the process I am currently working on is the WORST part? I admit there is a certain excitement about starting a story, a delightful sense of urgency about getting the first draft on paper and a thrill of completion when I reach the end. (I always feel a little bit like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally–ready to cheer, full of release though no one else can see the cause. LOL.) But there are also times in each stage when, as my critique partner says, I bleed from the ears. The agony and ecstasy of writing.
Recently, I read an article from www.writersdigest.com called 10 Disciplines of a Fiction Writer, by James Scott Bell. He suggests a number of things that make the writing less of a struggle. The suggestion of Super Tuesday really resonated with me. He says, “I have designated each Tuesday to be exclusively a writing day. I have other duties during the week, but I work it out so I can leave Tuesday completely free. I don’t schedule appointments or pleasure trips or anything else on that day. My goal is to blow through my usual quota of words. Sometimes I see just how far I can go. The result is often that wonderful feeling you get when you’ve been in “flow.” Time speeds up. You have done a great day’s worth of work.”
I love the concept of giving myself one day when nothing else matters. The bills can wait. The errands in town can be done the next day. So I gave myself a Super Thursday. It went very well. I did about 7500 words. That’s a healthy portion of a manuscript.
I guess I need to find ways to challenge myself and make each part of the process fun. Any suggestions?
I absolutely agree with you. A fellow writer asked me one time what I found to be the most difficult part of the writing process. And my answer was the exact same as yours, “Whatever I’m working on at the time.”
If I’m editing, I despise it and think how much better it would be if was pounding out a first draft. When I’m editing, I get so frustrated with trying to find the exact right word that I really long for the freedom of just writing.
When I’m writing the first draft, I feel like a ship lost at sea and I can’t wait for the editing process when I have more structure and a more defined idea of what I’m doing.
I’m so glad to know I’m not the only one who goes through that same thing!!
March 4th, 2009 at 8:29 am