A few years ago, I saw a book on the shelf in Barnes and Noble that really spoke to me. I didn't need to buy it; the title was enough.
Write is a Verb: Sit Down, Start Writing, No Excuses by Bill O'Hanlon.
I went home and typed the title in huge font on cardstock to place above my computer.
I was thinking today that "Write is a Verb" serves as an excellent reminder of priorities. It's so easy to get caught up in blogging, tweeting, talking books in any number of digital ways with countless cyber-friends, but in the end, it all comes down to you writing the best book you can write.
Dennis Palumbo addresses the same refrain in the chapter Writing Begets Writing. He calls it the one and only Cosmic Truth in a writer's life. Writing Begets Writing.
"Regardless of the issues a writer struggles with - creative blocks, procrastination, fear of failure, etc. - the very act of writing tends to stoke the energy, continue the flow, direct the current of further writing." (p. 35)
If you're stuck on a plot point - write anyway. If you are unsure of what action a character should choose - write it out. If you are totally blocked, write about that. The point is - write - no matter what.
Palumbo goes into wonderful detail about how writing even that first bad sentence sets off a whole set of internal responses that put you on the write track. I'm not going to go into that because I have to get back to writing. :) But I do recommend you give the book a glance if you're having trouble.
But just in case you're having a bad writing day, I'll leave you with this advice from the book. Palumbo quotes Harold Clurman who was asked if he lamented the number of bad plays on Broadway.
"No, bad work is the manure from which good work emerges."
So if you're having a bad day, think of it as manure for future brilliance.
And if you'd like to share, what has your experience been? Does writing beget writing for you?
Happy writing!
Part of an ongoing series discussing Dennis Palumbo's Writing From the Inside Out (Transforming Your Psychological Blocks to Release the Writer Within).
When I'm writing, the story and the characters are running around my mind constantly, saying and doing things I have to get down on paper (and then separate the good from the bad). But if I stop, for whatever reason, for more than a few days, they all go silent and it's very hard to get them back again.
ReplyDeleteYes, it does. If I'm stuck on a plot point, writing it from a completely different direction helps open up the thinking. And the very act of writing definitely begets writing. It was the writing of a fiction manuscript that inspired me to start my blog, thus more writing!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good way of looking at it, Joanne. I know a lot of people consider blogging as taking away time from fiction writing (and of course technically, it does), but I find it's a productive way for me to ease into a day's writing. I actually composed this blog last night and then sat and wrote 1000 words on my story - at midnight.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, thanks for coming by.
ReplyDeleteI've had the same experience when I miss a few days writing. That's the main reason I signed onto the 1oo words a day loop - if I keep my pledge of no less than 100 words a day, every day, it totally keeps my head in the story.
I have to pop back over to your blog now. I was mentally composing my lists earlier when the dog needed to go walking. He's now conked out on the floor next to me. :)
Definitely writing begets writing. It's like that physics rule--an object in motion tends to stay in motion. I guess this is why I get so cranky when my routine gets waylaid-- it's harder to get back into momentum than keep it up.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Laurel. I find getting started is the hardest part. Once I'm 'in motion' I'm much more apt to keep writing. Maybe we should call it Newton's Guide to Writing Success. ;)
ReplyDeleteQuantity will eventually lead to quality, I figure.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the follow!
I like to follow writer’s blogs as I feel I learn from each one. I have a book of Communion devotionals at the printers which I authored, although I don’t consider myself an accomplished writer. I am a follower on your blog and invite you to follow mine as well…and please leave a comment when and if you visit.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, you mean all that manure in m WIp will sprout something beautiful? I hope so! Boy did I come to the right place for encouragement. Thank you I needed that!
ReplyDeleteOh, this is good. Really good. I do get caught up in the reading how to write, blogging about writing, etc. Plus, I've been plotting for what seems like forever because I want to get this next story just right. But why don't I just sit down and write it? I think your blog post has given me that nudge to just write it, and fix problems when they appear. Thanks so much for this bit of inspiration and logic.
ReplyDeleteI love this! And absolutely. Writing is like priming the pump. Once you start, the words and ideas flow, but if you stop, it's harder to get going again. I like to make sure I do some writing every day.
ReplyDeleteHi and welcome to those of you who stopped by over the weekend. I'm so glad the post resonated with you. I'm finding that having these discussions about writing is really helping my productivity.
ReplyDeleteCaroline - I think it does. I know it feels better.
covnitkepr1 - I wish I could remember a quote I read recently but it was from a highly respected author saying that we never master writing. I don't consider myself very accomplished either but I love the improvement process.
T.Anne - don't you love that Quote. I think I may have to print that one out to keep me going on bad days.
Julie - I find when I keep writing - that's when I break through (eventually). Of I stop to think about it I just wallow.
Adventures in Children's Publishing - what a great analogy. It is like priming the pump. Excellent advice to keep in mind.
Happy writing all!