Can we talk about something for a second? The saying goes, 'everyone's got a story.'
And if you're friends/family/doctor/mildly distant oh so annoying accquantinces are anything like mine they all 'thought about writing a book once'
And then comes the reason they didn't.
And that's the other thing EVERYONE has. An excuse not to write. Now, please, don't think I want everyone to write the random ass story that pops into their head about the time they got lost in Mexico--cuz, no. A few name changes does not actually make it fiction. But here's the thing. Not everyone will write.
Ugly truth? Even the people who say they are a writer are not always gonna write. There is always a good reason--the kid has a birthday party, it was a ridiculously busy day, the other kid has a party at school, you didn't feel good, you just didn't want to.
They're excuses, people. And here's my dirty secret: Those were the ones I used last week.
So, wait. You have them too, but your telling us...what?
I'm telling you everyone has them. And sometimes, their legitimate. I have two dear friends who are insanely busy with life and writing is just taking a back burner. That isn't what I'm talking about--everyone will go through a season where writing takes a backseat to this beautiful messy life.
But when you know that you want to write, when you actively say you are a writer, and you still make daily excuses like the ones listed above? When a full course load and internships and nursing school aren't keeping EVERY SPARE MINUTE occupied? Then that's what they are--excuses. And they don't measure up.
Everyone has an excuse not to write. And that's okay--as I mentioned, I have them, too. But if you can push PAST the excuse--if you can find five minutes at the kid's party, or while sitting in pick up line, or driving to your mother in law's house or when you do it even when you don't feel like it.
Well.
That's what makes you different from everyone else. That's what makes a writer.
So, you tell me: What's your excuse? And are you going to push through it?
I wholeheartedly agree with your last point. Non-writers are people that wait to be inspired. Writers are people that write even (and especially) when they don't feel like it.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment, I'm reading blogs and twitter instead of writing. But yes, I do think I'll start...after I check blogger and twitter one more time.
I'm always surprised by how many people tell me they always wanted to write. I used to ask why they didn't, but I stopped doing that a long time ago. I just nod and smile now. I don't need to hear for the berjillionth time that they just don't have the time to sit down and write.
ReplyDeleteI had been struggling with that, too. I'm a busy person, right? I have work, housework, gotta take care of family, etc...
ReplyDeleteBut how much time do I waste in front of the TV? (Answer -- way too much. It's embarrassing, really). I cut back on my TV time, and I've committed myself to writing for at least 1 hour a day. It usually ends up being more than an hour -- once I take that first step and get started, the rest comes easily. Funny how that works ;)