After months of busyness at work, I'm trying to get back in the writing saddle. I've written newsletters for work, scraps of scripts, etc but not just the fun writing I do for myself. It's really been since January also since I've worked on the in depth scripts for work. I write much better when I'm in the habit and I have to jump start my habit now.
To ease into it, last Friday I edited/read outloud a short story, wrote a cover letter and submitted it to a magazine. I got a fairly favorable response already, asking for a rewrite of the ending which is much better than a flat out rejection. I had a crudy day at work and had such a hard time even facing the idea of trying to sit at the computer, much less rewrite the end of my story.
I sat down sullen and not in the mood, but there's a certain beauty to just simply making yourself do it. I think writing is 99 percent about making yourself just sit down and try, and maybe 1 percent inspiration or mood. Tonight was hard because usually I'm just lazy and making myself do something, this was actually a rough day, an uneasy state of mind to overcome.
If it's mostly about getting words on "paper" (or screen), then I managed it. I'm not happy with a couple sentences and I think it needs some more work, but there's something there that wasn't before. It may not be great but it's a place to start, or end I guess in this case.
I will have my Thursday to do some stuff for work. Again, I'm not in the writing habit, and in the case of this project, I need to do research before I can write, so Thursday may just be research. And we'll be traveling Friday so I'll probably not have time. Next week, I have to be in the editing suite again, so I don't know when my next opportunity will come. I want to get more disciplined about using evening times but I can see the challenge of today. I've used a lot of my mental energy before I can get to it. I've read lots of stories of writers who have become big -- they had to want it really badly. Getting up at 5 am to write and that sort of thing. I guess I'm not wanting it that badly yet, although I did sit down tonight and make some progress under less than perfect circumstances, so I'll take that as a good sign.
That was pretty quick to get a response from that magazine. Asking for a minor rewrite sounds like great news.
ReplyDeleteI like it when a long period of responsibilities clears up. Even if it is replaced by other responsibilities. You'll have to keep us updated on how the writing goes.
I hope you will be able to fit writing in your upcoming schedule. Do you compose on paper or type on a computer? I have a hard time writing blogs because I'm not curled up on the couch with a pen and paper.
ReplyDeleteAt my first job I still did paper, but I learned to compose at a typewriter at that job - they were behind the times even then.
ReplyDeleteNow if it is something I know I want to print from a printer, I prefer to compose at the keyboard. If it is just a journal entry, I prefer paper, but sometimes even journal on the computer.
Glad to hear you got some writing time. I hope that it comes easier then you think to incorporate it more. Keep us posted on the magazine and how the story goes! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are writing again. What is the story about?
ReplyDeleteI finally found your blog. It has been so long. I wondered and wondered who roaming writer was, then I thought of the only writer I knew, you. BB doesn't tell me anything. I am so glad you are writing again. I know you will do well.
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