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Wednesday, September 28, 2005On the Emotional State of Writerhood -- and Starbucks To Go
 It's not fair, really. Writing isn't like a job that requires brainpower or skill, perhaps, but not an inner passion that drives one to distraction on a daily basis. It's more like -- breathing. Do it, or you'll die. I appeal to you writers, whether published or pre-published (an optimistic term, don't you think?): How do you maintain your sanity through the constant tidal waves of euphoria and despair? How do you settle yourself down to the dreary business of revisions or the tedious business of creating a completely new story, after you've fallen from a height of ecstacy following good news, or after you've plummeted to near-suicidal darkness after a setback or discouragement? It seems to require an almost superhuman ability. For me, it means leaving the writing world behind -- temporarily -- and engrossing myself in the machinations of family life. I mean, I've got some of the strangest kids you'll ever meet. They keep me endlessly amused, perplexed, and entertained. Sometimes they drive me crazy. But whenever I remember that they are the reason I'm here at home, running the roost like some neurotic hen, my perspective clears and my heart calms. Then, I can return to the writing poo later and feel human while doing so. Feel free to emote in my comment box. If anything, you're definitely going to get a sympathetic ear. At any rate, Eric and I beat our own drum this morning (that ain't the name of our business for nothin'). Wednesday mornings are my "shop early at Publix and get it the heck over with" time. Recently, Eric has taken to joining me in this not-so-exciting venture, and it's proven to be a funnish (funnish?) time for us. Hey, we grab what we can. Anyway, last week it was a rather distressing business, because we ran a bit late and didn't have time for our morning coffee together when we got back home. This week, we solved the coffee problem beautifully -- we brought our carafe, our mugs, and our half-n-half with us to the grocery store. I'm absolutely certain that we looked like a couple of weirdos. Just picture me, stopping every other aisle to stir cream into my Starbucks mug with a little plastic spoon. It's not easy to place onions in a bag one-handed, either. But boy oh boy, did that Sumatra enhance the shopping experience. We're lucky to have one of those coffee makers with a keep-it-hot carafe, so we enjoyed piping coffee the entire time we shopped. No matter that the store was blasting really stupid 60's music, or that the boneless chicken breast wasn't on sale. I didn't even freeze to death in the produce department like I normally do -- my nice, steaming cuppa Starbucks kept me toasty. We may have begun a new Wednesday morning tradition. Yep, keep reading my blog and you'll never see a dull moment. I'm awfully good at poking fun at myself. It's one sure way to stay grounded, yes? (Ugh...coffee...grounded....that pun was so not intended...) The above photograph of coffee beans (one of nature's finest gifts to man) is the work of Doris Jennings, whose original and copyrighted photography is available in a variety of fine products. Visit her at Nature's Artwork by Doris Jennings. Labels: writing |
About Me
I am: Mother to five stunningly individualistic children... Writer of young adult fantasy... Passionate advocate for Women At Home... Madly in love with my husband... In need of Organic Gourmet Chocolate on a regular basis. I've got a Paypal account if you'd like to contribute to the cause....
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10of my readers are feeling chatty:
awwwwwwwwwww You know dave and i shop together too! once in a while one or the other of the kids tag along but for the most part its just us, and you know i never thought of grocery shopping as "Us" time but it has become that over the years LOL funny the things you take pleaser in with your mate.
Thank you for the honor of using my photo in your blog :-) Your support of my passion/business means the world to me!
Sounds like your kids are great inspiration!
Frankly, I use euphoria and dispair as fuel for writing. I recharge by reading, watching movies, some television and through attitude adjustments with my horse. (He adjusts my attitude, not the other way around.)
Since I grew up on horses, I have a equestrienne view of rejection. After rejection, get back to writing immediately. Even when it feel like everything on the page is crap. Push through it.
Everyone has a different approach, of course.
There are days when I sit down to write and my whole system reacts negatively, almost to nausea. It's like I'd rather write on my retina than on the page/computer.
Isn't that a lovely thought?
I always write at the same time most days. I eat my lunch at work, then sit in the break-room with my notebook and have at it. I get a surprising amount done that way.
Most of the time, I dont know what I am going to write, it just seems to appear. Lately, it has almost been like dictation. I just read the last little bit where I left off, and continue on.
My life sounds a little backward from yours. Writing is my way to escape the despair and (to use your word) poo life throws at you.
I would love to be able to write at home, but my 4-year old pretty much shadows me, and always wants to play games.
I enjoy working everyday life events into my stories. If something funny happens, use it. That way, lots of people get to enjoy it.
So whether I have answered the question or not, I don't know, but hey we're all in the same boat.
I'm one of the not-yet's btw. But I fully intend to get published. I've put a lot of time and my soul into this.
Slader
Let's not over-dramatize - writing is not quite on the same level of necessity as breathing. And life is an important constituent of writing; without having lived a bit, we have nothing to write about. So all the time you spend away from writing (and it can be years, believe me) is a part of it too, perhaps the most important part.
How to get through the despair and rejection? Personally, I wallow in it, allow it to put me off ever writing anything again and bemoaning my fate. Then, when I've had my tantrum (again, it can take years), I just get up and carry on. ;)
LOL Gone Away! Why, you're so dry, one would SWEAR you must be...ur...British or something! ;)
And you know, we DO need to live life in order to write. Bottom line. My non-fiction is all about using my life to speak to others. And my fiction is all about my passion for make-believe, fantasy, and destiny, which so vibrantly colors my life -- and hopefully the lives of my readers.
What is that little lizard-creature on your blog, anyway? Inquiring homeschool moms want to know.
I read the hubby's blog as well. I hope all is well.
Ken
The "lizard creature" is a chameleon. ;)
The coffee story went around my head for the last week - maybe I can get my Sweetheart to shop with me if I take a huge thermos of his favorite Starbucks (Columbia) with me. lol...
Oh, that's funny! Let me know if you successfully "lure" him with the thermos. ;)
I think it's important to have time to tend to life's machinations... I wrote a novel a few years ago and have been exhausted dealing with finding an agent. Writing seems like a luxury, so I decided to start a blog to get me in the habit of writing short pieces again. Best of luck!
p.s. as I fell down a cellar a few months ago, I can appreciate your situation of falling down in the garage -- thankfully, probably due to ample thigh padding, I have no broken bones... hope you feel better!
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