But last week I got carried away by the flow.
Writing-wise, it was a great week. My goal is a chapter a week on novel #2. Midweek I worried that I wouldn't make it, but I hit a wave and rode it out the rest of the week. I finished the chapter and love it. It's got an unexpected double-whammy finish. (Unexpected by me... in my outline it ended more simply.) And it's nothing compared to how the next chapter will end. So what's the problem?I wrote and wrote and ignored other things on my weekly to-do list. Now I've been doing email triage and generally scrambling to catch up. And it's Wednesday, shouldn't I be further along on the next chapter?
What's the balance between riding the wave of inspiration and getting other things done? But I think last week was worth it. I love the new chapter and a wave just might be building for the rest of this week. If only a wave could help me get to the other stuff, too. How to do it all?
(photo from Australia's planetsurf)
I love the idea of going with the flow, or huge waves at times :) I could never be a journalist, I'd feel like my creativity was being stifled by deadlines. It sounds too much like school. I've noticed that a lot of writers keep telling each other to practice more and to be more disciplined. But how can they be passionate about writing if it becomes a chore, another thing on the to-do-list? Doesn't it kill the joy they get from it? I'm sort of confused by that. Writing can be such a fantastic release, even if it's just silly stuff in a journal. I'm glad you are relaxing into your writing, I'm sure the results will be great :)
ReplyDeleteAh the ongoing question: How do I do it all? Probably it's just a matter of prioritizing... splitting the day into percentages. For instance, my day probably looks like this: 75% to writing, 15% to reading, 9% to my hubby and 1% to housecleaning....(that's 100% right!?)
ReplyDeleteNow it may look like I'm neglecting my hubby, but don't worry he's really low maintenance so 9% is plenty of time. Now the house... yes... I am probably neglecting that, but since we don't have many visitors and I can still walk without tripping over things... then I say "a-okay". Someday I might get lucky enough to afford a maid... but until then.... let there be dust bunnies!
I think finding a balance means forgiving yourself for ignoring aspects of your life when you go with the flow beyond the point you'd planned.
ReplyDeleteI think obv. the important stuff has got to be done. But I def. sacrifice other things on my list in order to write. But lately, I haven't been able to do much with family in town, so it's a balancing act for sure and different every week and month.
ReplyDeleteI totally expect a draft or two of your query on my desk by Sat, btw.
ReplyDeleteCharlie - I think you're on to something. I love writing and get confused about writers needing the discipline to write. Why wouldn't I want to do my favorite thing? It's all writing and it's all good, wherever it takes us.
ReplyDeleteAnd I get what you say about journalism. Years ago while interviewing at my university, the admissions officer suggested I apply for the school of journalism. A different kind of writing. Very glad I said "no thanks." The English department and creative writing for me.
Valerie - I LOVE what you say about percentages. I haven't broken down my days like that before. Wow. I'm on it.
ReplyDeleteJon - forgiveness... yeah, it's a good thing & something I don't think that much about in regard to myself. Thanks for the reminder! And thanks for the deadline...
Laura - yup, and that change-thing makes it difficult for those of us who like to pin things down.
Screw other things...if you've got writing inspiration, go with it.
ReplyDeleteI tend to run with the writing and let other things pile up, especially if it's a first draft. Happy writing!!
ReplyDeleteAnita & Paul - Awesome! (says the photo surfer guy). I've got a blank day, just writing and when I burn out, then other stuff, if there's time.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember which of my friends referred me here, I think it might have been Jon. Anyway I'm your newest follower, nice to meet ya!
ReplyDeleteJon - THANK YOU for the shout-out from your blog.
ReplyDeleteI'm putting your words over my desk: "A sense of self is perhaps the most important indulgence we need."
Matthew - thanks for joining! An ex-competitive swimmer I love everything about water (oddly, I think water and writing are similar). The waterslide writing analogy on your blog is great!
ReplyDeleteHello! I'm late to the party! I've been riding the revision wave. :) I love when inspiration strikes. I'm so glad you rode it when it did. I think there is a rhythm to creativity. Sometimes I need to organize, sometimes I need to create. I try not to buck which way my energy wants to go.
ReplyDeleteHeather - "a rhythm to creativity"... I love that! Thanks for coming. You're never too late to the party.
ReplyDeleteSteven and Tracy - Welcome to the blog!
ReplyDeleteRob - Ditto on the welcome. So great to see your face here! And I hope to see you on our Massachusetts trip in August/September!
I already told this thing before a few times in our blogosphere :) - I always thought writing should be like a river and words, sentences, books, stories, novels should just flow out of you when the inspiration takes you away and fills you with energy. This was because I myself always write like that and I always did. Only when I started following blogs of writers I discovered a whole bunch of writers to whom writing doesn't come naturally and who take writing as a science with plans, schemes, formulas, tricks....
ReplyDeleteI like your philosophy of going with the flow, forced things are never as good as the ones which come naturally.
Thanks, Dezmond. Three cheers for inspiration taking us away and filling us with energy!
ReplyDeleteBalance is always, always tricky. If you figure it all out, let the rest of us know.
ReplyDelete