Slacker Is Me
I was reading a writing post by one of my blog buddies and realized how similar I’ve been feeling lately. I feel like I haven’t worked on a novel in years although it’s technically only been a couple of weeks. I haven’t been writing, plotting, editing, querying, anything at all to do with writing.
Sure, I have excuses and plenty of them. Some are lame. Some are good. But that doesn’t change the fact that they are still excuses. The writing just keeps getting put off because when it comes down to it, I’ve been lazy.
Writing every day isn’t easy. It’s hard work and takes a massive amount of dedication. But I’d gotten myself into a routine, and it felt automatic to sit down every single day and plan to spend two or three hours hammering away at the keyboard. Now, I feel like I find a million different reasons not to do that whether it’s going to a movie, watching a gazillion Buffy episodes or reading a book in a day. Usually I choose this entertainment over writing because I’ve been at my day job all day, and I tell myself I deserve to relax. Eh, I’m never at my best when I’m lazy. I need to be pushing myself, and throwing myself into something. I haven’t been doing that.
The problem is that I got out of the routine. I know as soon as I start sitting down every day again, I can do it. All I have to do is stop making excuses and just do it. It’s like going to the gym. The hardest part is starting and setting a routine for yourself. Once you make it a part of your life, you rarely skip a session. And if you do, it just doesn’t feel right.
So, I have to get back to work. It’s time to query. It’s time to plot. And it’s time to write.
No matter what else is going on in my life, writing is what I do. It’s who I am. I’m a writer. Therefore, I must write.
Comments
The fact that you can read a book in a day is nothing to sneeze at, but I get what you’re saying.
Although it’s a good idea to stay motivated, it’s also a good idea not to be too hard on yourself (which is hard for creative types, I know). Maybe doing all those other things is just your brain’s way of telling you it needs a break to recharge. And, once that brain of yours is fully charged, look out world!
Glad the post helped, Jen. I was feeling like a toad when I wrote it, but usually when I write a post like that, it kicks me in the butt. I got some real work done since then, and last night I pushed through a stumbling block that was holding me back.
I was never a cheerleader, but the e-pompons are out for you. “You can do it, you can do it. You can, you can.” =o)
Trackbacks
Leave a Comment