 |
| http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/ |
“When it don’t come
easy…” Title words to one of my favorite songs by Kathy Griffin. My writing
life is often this way. Lately I’ve wondered if I’ll ever really finish this
novel I’ve been working on for too long now.
“Time keeps moving
from a crawl to a run…” My daily time seems to crawl and I feel I can’t
lift my feet. My yearly time is running away without me. I can’t keep up.
“If you break down, I’ll
drive out and find you…” So, whenever I’m trying to get my gears going
again I sometimes read other writer’s books on writing and this time I chose “Zen
in the Art of Writing” by Ray Bradbury. I
can’t believe I’ve only just found this book of essays. RB’s total being is
consumed with writing, and the joy he finds in it almost makes me feel ashamed.
Well not almost. It does. I cried.
“I don’t know nothing
but that change will come…” Ashamed of my seeming cowardice, lack of
enthusiasm and general grumpy complaining, got me to thinking after reading and
absorbing his total commitment to his craft and his joy in that commitment,
that it is far and away time for me to find my joy in writing again. Because I’ve
lost it.
“You're
out there walking down a highway, and all of the signs got blown away. Sometimes
you wonder if you're walking in the wrong direction.” I’m walking in the wrong
direction. I must find my joy again. I’m going to test RB’s advice to look
inside, listen to my subconscious and remember memories. Associate words with
my imagination and give in to whatever I find there. It’s time to move and dream and find joy. It’s
time to reassess, even… “When It Don’t Come Easy.”
If you care to hear the song, here it is....
Hi Lisa .. you've been unwell but I'm sure as the days pass you will start to feel so much better - life just simply isn't easy - let alone writing .. take care and all will be well .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteYou are one of the main reasons I love this blogging group Hilary. You always have a positive twist on anything and everything, even your poor pier burning down! Wow.
DeleteIt sounds like you've got the right mindset. I've been working on a novel for what feels like forever, too, wondering if I'll ever actually get it done. You've just got to keep going and keeping working on it.
ReplyDeleteSarah Foster
August IWSG Co-host
That old saying "keep on keepin' on" sure comes to mind. I just need to find a different road (mindset) to walk (indulge in)!
DeleteYou need to find the joy again! Writing is so much easier then.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I read YOU Captain Alex! You don't seem to have a problem with finding your joy...!
DeleteLike they used to say back in the 70s, "Keep on Truckin'!" Just keep at it and it will, eventually, get done :)
ReplyDeleteSo right, and I am. Working on RB's advice seems to be working! Yea!
DeleteI can really relate to the daily time crawling but the year running away from you. You'll find that joy again, I'm sure of it.
ReplyDeleteLove the song.
Thanks Julie. I'll be thinking of you... Glad you like the song. It even prompted a scene in one of my novels...
DeleteI need to find the joy again, too. I have such a difficult time balancing writing and blogging and family time in the summers. (Well, all the time, but it's worse in the summers.)
ReplyDeleteAnd SORRY I've been so scarce here. I see you all the time in GP, so I didn't realize I wasn't visiting your blog. Oy. I had your blog in the wrong Feedly folder! Man, am I blushing. *RED FACED* doesn't even describe it.
No need to apologize Melissa! I've been reading you so long on the other site, I forgot we all had blogs too! Just glad to have you drop by...
DeleteI can see why you cried. I need a bout of inspiration. Off to check out his book. Thanks, Lisa! Happy IWSG.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it like I did Joylene. We have to take inspiration where we can find it, even if that means going out on purpose to find it...
DeleteWhat a beautiful song!
ReplyDeleteI agree! I've loved this song for years now, but didn't know it would end up inspiring a scene!
DeleteWhat an inspiring post. I should get that book. I've heard of it but never picked it up.
ReplyDeleteI think you can read a part of it on amazon without having to buy it to see if you like it enough to buy. A blogging buddy, Mark Koopman, is the one who turned me on to it... Thanks for coming by and commenting!
DeleteYou're right, Lisa, it sure don't come easy. I feel like I've been editing my novel for so long and I'm still improving it after several opinions from others. I love reading writing craft books. My favourite is Manuscript Makeover. It's been soooo helpful. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm going to look into that one Denise. Thanks for mentioning it. I sure wish I could come to the conference your friend is going to in Australia. Any excuse to get "down under", right?!!!
DeleteWhen I hit that joyless stage, it usually means I need a break. I need to step away, read books I love, spend time with people, and live. When I come back, I don't jump into work. I read through what I've written and let the joy of my previous writing experiences rekindle that fire inside.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with lighting your fire back up. It'll be a bonfire before you know it.
Thanks for the ideas Crystal. I'm working on that bonfire right now!
DeleteAwesome! I'll donate some marshmallows to the cause. =)
DeleteI love this analogy, and I hope you find your joy again. Thanks for the book tip.
ReplyDeleteHI, Lisa...
ReplyDeleteWe seem to be lost on the same road.... Wishing you all the success in finding your way back home.... Your beacon may light the way for others......