Illustration by Grant Snider
Many times writers fall in love with the torment of writing. We torture ourselves with the need to put words on paper. We struggle within the FORCE of the blinking cursor and blank page. We make ourselves believe that every word we write must be profound and poetic. We unfairly pressure ourselves, zapping every bit of our creativity and imagination.
All the while our inspiration is staring at us from outside the window, lurking in the shadow in the parking deck, or even in a conversation at the next table. As writers, we must not just be in love with words. We must not just be infatuated with the writing process of typing and handwriting. We must be enamored with life.
It is not our mission to write well (at least not in the beginning, that comes after the story is written). It is not our mission to write fluid and precise (that comes in the editing process). In this quest for perfect writing, we often lose sight of our mission. Our mission is to bring the written word to LIFE. What better inspiration for bringing something to LIFE than life itself? The real work of a writer is being involved with the world, interacting with people, plants, animals, places, acquiring the experiences that inspire great writing and creates LIFE within a page of words.
If you are sitting at your tidy writing desk, waiting for inspiration to jump out of the drawer and on to your page, you are probably frustrated, bored, and ready to give up. As writers, we must get out into the world and experience all LIFE has to offer. It feeds our imagination and it fuels our soul, all the while inspiring our next great novel.
Great post… a writer is not just a person supposed 2 put “words” on paper but a person supposed 2 put “thoughts” in a presentable form that can be shared , that can be discussed..And the more freely you let your thoughts flow, the more meaningful & realistic shape is taken by your thoughts ..
Loved reading your post
Thank you for your insight. I truly believe writing must come from an innermost place or else it can become flat and pretentious. I enjoyed your post about being “unpredictable.” I think it compliments nicely.
Thanks for your kind words
Stumbled upon your post and it really struck a chord with me! I’m going to reblog it!!
I’ve daydreamed about being a hermited writer, sitting in my plush chair at home, gazing out the window at the rain and banging out novel after novel. But as a whole, I think I agree that experiencing life makes for a much more engaging writer.
Thank you for your sweet comments. And thank you VERY MUCH for your interest to reblog. I wish you all the best!
Reblogged this on The Corner of the King.
Enjoyed your post very much, Hollie and in agreement with your thoughts…
Thank you! I hope you have a wonderful week enjoying LIFE!