Friday, July 2, 2010

I'm late--I'm late!...Oh wait... I'm not???

In Tuesday's post, I alluded to "having all the time in the world" to write when I was younger. And looking back now, I really did. At least it seemed that way. And yes, the fact of the matter is I don't have so much now.

So I am going to play devil's advocate here, because I strongly believe in both sides of the coin.

Yes, you have all the time in the world to create, to write, to get back to it, to do it, and it's true that you should never rush your art. Because writing doesn't necessarily work that way. You need to feel inspired and motivated, and while much of the time, you can get into that particular zone just by simply writing, writing anything, if you try to force it, you might mess it up. But that doesn't mean you should be sitting around waiting for inspiration or your muse to strike.

Because on the other hand, if you're not doing something--anything--you won't finish. And you have to finish, regardless of when--if not for anything else, at least for yourself. And you will finish, you just need to believe in yourself that much. In the end, only you can push you to do what you have to do.

Life may not get easier, in fact, it might become more complicated (as I've realized), and we're always going to be searching for time to do things.

This isn't a race or a competition, just make certain you have no regrets and you're happy with where you are. There's always time to get there, but you have to keep moving forward and towards your goal.

Do you ever have these moments? Do you ever feel like you're running out of time or that you won't finish what you've started?

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend :)

p.s. Happy 4th of July to all you American bloggers out there :)

27 comments:

Joanne said...

I agree that it's important to keep moving forward, someway. By writing, or researching, or outlining, or jotting down notes. Something. Even a small step is a step forward :)

Terri Tiffany said...

I've always got my next goal planned so I know my direction. I hope by sept to be querying my next book and then start writing the next on too.

Hannah said...

Only Monday-Friday, when I have to be at my "real" job because there's so much I have to do at home.

I do miss my mom cleaning everything and making me dinner.

Aubrie said...

Oh yes, I felt like I was running out of time when I reached 30 and had just started the writing journey. But we need to live life to get fuel for our writing!

Stewart Sternberg (half of L.P. Styles) said...

I write every day, and during the summer, I write at least four hours a day. I have several friends who want to write, but make up all manner of excuses for not doing so. I believe someone once said if you do something for thirty days, repetitively, you can make it a habit. Of course, nothing helps you stay on track with writing like a deadline.

Jemi Fraser said...

I don't look too far ahead in the journey. If I do, I get overwhelmed & more than a little terrified. I prefer to just focus on doing the next thing. Yes, it takes me much longer that way - but I'm enjoying the journey as I go :)

Talli Roland said...

Oh, YES! Especially now! I'm facing some deadlines and I find myself unable to concentrate... but usually I am quite good with deadlines, even if they are self-imposed. I need a stick in the sand or I tend to faff around.

Janet Johnson said...

I can't even tell you how often I feel like I'm running out of time. But you're right. Completely self-imposed. Deadlines are good, as long as you take life into account. :)

Anonymous said...

In high school, I had all the time in the world to write. But now that I'm an adult with many other responsibilities, I feel in a time crunch a lot of the time. But I agree strongly with Aubrie: we must live life to enhance the stories we tell! Which can sometimes make excuses not as bad. :)

Have a fantastic weekend!

WritingNut said...

Joanne - I agree - I try to always remind myself of that.

Terri - Good luck! It's great to set goals and be able to stick with them.

Hannah - Mom's are the best, aren't they? :) And I know - my "real" job worries me too.

Aubrie - Those are very wise words! I'll have to remember that when I'm feeling frustrated. Thanks!

Stewart - I've heard that saying too - I haven't had to chance to test it as yet though. And you're right about those deadlines :)

Jemi - That's true, one day at a time, right? And it's good to enjoy the journey, because you will be much happier at the end.

Talli - As much as deadlines can push you, I know they can also terrify you too. Don't worry, just hang in there and you'll make it through!

Janet - Yes, it's important to find a happy balance that you can maintain.

Amanda - AHhh, I know exactly what you mean. And you're right, it's a great way of looking at the difficult times that slow us down. You have a wonderful weekend too! :)

notesfromnadir said...

I really understand that mention of the writing zone. Sometimes it's a lot harder to get there.

You're right, it's not a competition, but in a way it is. We compete w/ourselves as we always strive to get better.

WritingNut said...

Lisa - You're right, we ARE constantly pushing ourselves and striving to be better each day and that's definitely a good thing. There is always room for growth and improvement.

Anonymous said...

Sometimes I find it more tiring not to write. All the mental energy I waste avoiding my computer is exhausting. Once I sit down and actually get to it, I feel much better :)

Jan Markley said...

Always. I feel like there is so much I want to accomplish!

laughingwolf said...

was there not a song about 'time in a bottle'? ;)

Rahma Krambo said...

I like this: "This isn't a race or a competition, just make certain you have no regrets and you're happy with where you are. There's always time to get there, but you have to keep moving forward and towards your goal."

I count everything I do towards that goal--keeping the story in my head, even when I'm not writing, helps a lot.

Thanks for 'following' my blog. I LOVE meeting other writers!
~rahma

Rick said...

I like writing so much it never occurred to me not write. After reading your posting I'm not going to take it for granted anymore. So what would I do if I ever got writer's block? I better start thinking about that... just in case!

Rebecca said...

Hey WritingNut, your the first recipient of my award the Writer Wisdom Award. You can collect it here: http://mywritingwings.blogspot.com/p/writer-wisdom-award.html

Have a great day!

Lisa K. said...

So many days I have that feeling, the awareness of time rushing forward. Some days it's scary. But I always try to push forward, to work toward my dream at least a little bit each day.

Thanks for a great post.

Southpaw said...

Oh yes, but I am happy where I am and with the choices I’ve made.

WritingNut said...

Christine - You're right - that can be the case as well. It's always a great feeling to be moving forward.

Jan - I hear you!

LW - Exactly ;)

Rahma - Thank you for doing the same :)

Rick - I'm glad you haven't reached that point and don't stress too much - not everyone does.

Bec - Awww, thank you so much! That's very kind of you. I'll be over there soon.

Lisa - As long as you keep pushing forward, you'll get there - guaranteed.

Holly - That's exactly how it should be :)

Helen Ginger said...

I sometimes feel that I'm running out of time. A lot of the time, though, I feel as though I'm wasting time and should get things back on track.

WritingNut said...

Helen - I know what you mean. I can be the champion of wasting time!

Theresa Milstein said...

I do feel like that sometimes! I was supposed to have this week off to write, but my husband had off Monday. Today I looked through other manuscripts for my critique meeting on Thursday. Then I went through edit suggestions on one of my manuscripts. And wrote a future post. That was the day.

Tomorrow I hope to query and go through more edits. Meanwhile, I have a WIP I want to continue. Maybe Thursday....?

WritingNut said...

Theresa - It sounds like you still got a lot done! Good luck with querying - I hope you manage to stay on track :)

Charmaine Clancy said...

Every day! :-) But I think I set the deadlines myself and they are not actually based on anything. Even when we take a driving trip, I always have an arrive time planned and hate to 'run late' for our holiday. I find it calming when I put away the 23 other projects and just focus on one for a week, I feel like progress is being made then. :-)

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Writing, like physical exercise, is a habit. Stray from it, the habit starts to die.

Your muse is a muscle. Say that five times fast.

But it's true. Exercise it, and it grows stronger. Let it lie fallow, and it grows listless.

You have a lovely blog, Roland