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Is writing fun for everyone? Sometimes I wish I could throw it out the window, sort of like you would throw a television or computer out the window (at least that's what I think of). What do you do to calm the frustrations? How do we get back to having fun?
Posts: 27 | Registered: Jul 2003
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If you feel yourself getting frustrated, in any way, step away from the computer or the notepad.
Go take a walk, do some homework, play a video game. Socialize with friends, get away from it for a couple of hours.
The key, for me, is to gently ease my way into writing and when I am writing plan on spending no less than an hour doing so. Otherwise my strategy of running away at frustration would keep me from ever getting anywhere.
Incidentilly, have you ever tried ice cream? I've heard ice-cream can freeze away any of your frustrations...
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For me, frustrations come from one of two sources.
One: Something's not working and I'm trying too hard to make it work. If the story isn't working, that's because I haven't asked enough "why?" questions -- that is, I haven't dug deep enough into my characters and their motivations. If the writing isn't working, that's usually because I haven't seen things as clearly as I should; I haven't visualized what I want to write before writing it. In both of these cases, I try to approach the problem from a completely different angle -- if I can't get into the house by the front door, maybe a window will work. This can be hard at times, but you just have to go back to the place where it was working and try to figure out where it went sour.
Two: A lot more frustration comes when I start thinking about publishing -- when I start wondering "is this good enough?" But that is out of my control. The only thing I have control over is writing the best story I can today. And so long as I do that -- and so long as I remember Somerset Maugham's advise that the writer's primary delight should be in writing, and that he shouldn't worry about publishing or commercial success (he shouldn't worry about things out of his control, in other words) -- I'm usually able to hew down this frustration rather quickly.
As for fun? Well, when it's working it is a great delight, and when it's not it's hell. But it seems to me that everything is like that. Nothing can be fun all of the time, can it? On some level, writing is work and we all know that it sucks to go to work. But as Stephen King said, the worst days at the keyboard as usually far better than the best days at other jobs.
[This message has been edited by Jerome Vall (edited February 23, 2004).]
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I have a rotating list of hobbies and interests. When one starts to suck, I move on the next one. Thus, I never end up hating any of hobbies.
Posts: 249 | Registered: Jan 2004
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I'd have to say, when I've got an EXTREMELY fresh idea that I'm dying to get to . . . it's ok. Most of the time, until I begin and get into the story, I dread it. While I'm writing, though, I hit my routine groove and the time passes. I guess it's more enjoyable for me--once I'm in my groove, that is--than television, but I'd much rather read or play games.
I do find writing to be extremely rewarding, and not just monetarily, but spiritually. It's a sort of release for me, getting out all my negative emotions and ideas that I can't normally express in conversation.
Like Ray Bradbury says, you must: 1- Work 2- Relax 3- Don't think
Your hands begin to do all of the tedious things, and you can spend your afternoon dreaming your work into existance.
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I actually enjoy the physical process of writing, be it with a pencil or a keyboard. I usually have music on and I just set all the other stuff I have to do aside and write. The first couple of hours are really fun for me. After that I start feeling squirmy and I have to get up and eat some real food (there is a bag of jellybeans I'm going through way too quickly), watch some tv, play guitar, or just lie on the floor with my eyes closed. Then sometimes I can start writing again, or that might be it for the day. Either way, my writing is often the best part of the day.
When I'm having trouble with a story, it stops being fun, but when the problem is fixed I can't -wait- to get back to the writing.
As a sidenote, playing guitar is also really fun. And making jewelry. I think I just enjoy doing things with my fingers.
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I think it depends on the day. When I start thinking about what I am writing, I think, what a chore. But I have to keep writing no matter what. I guess it's something of an addiction. I do enjoy playing with the language, I think that when it flows, writing is fun. But more often than not I am revising what I was writing, and then it's a lot less fun.
Posts: 121 | Registered: May 2002
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Writing is fun in that it’s satisfying. I like the feeling of getting to the end of a section, or a page, or on a bad day, a paragraph, and knowing I’ve accomplished something. It’s a real joy to see things coming together, to pickup unplanned threads and use them to tighten a story, or just hit a section that really flows and comes to life as you write it. Writing most closely captures the fun of reading of anything else I’ve done, and feeds my need to make things.
Of course, when things won’t come together, and the vision in your head is becoming hopelessly muddled, or you’re just sitting there drawing a big blank on what anybody in the scene could say next, writing is hell. Sometimes I can work through it, say to get though a tough scene, and know things will be better for it the next day. Other times I have to take a mental break for a couple of days and not work on anything, letting my mind regroup. Then I’ll often need work on something else, maybe just toying around with an idea, for a couple of days just to get back into sync with the original project. And sometimes life interferes – jobs, family, friends, and all the joys and problems that come with them can sap any strength I have for producing the written word.
I think the biggest help you can give yourself is not to take it all too seriously. Don’t make writing into a chore – do it because you want to. Don’t feel like you have to master every trick of technique in your first attempts, but have a lark trying them all out. Don’t expect your first submissions to sell, but send them anyway if you want to, and keep the rejection letters as a badge of your courage (but maybe not where you have to look at them everyday).
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I don't know about you, but writing is one of the most painful, hard experiences of my life. When I start a new project, sure, all is dandy. I work quickly, things go well, and I'm happy. When the situation bogs down, and serious focus and effort is called for....
If I stopped working because of frustration, I would have written 20 pages then stopped.
Mind Surfer, to be honest, very little of writing is fun. There are parts (like finishing, being published, or fine-comb editing [for me at keast]) which are great. The rest is pure torture.
Mind you, it's pure torture that we here all willingly embrace .
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I'm trying to remember if I ever felt like throwing my writing projects out the window. Maybe throwing them out so they don't outlive me and become an embarrassing legacy. I've done that on occasion -- mainly with childhood stuff -- and even with those I'm sorry I did it. I think just about everything having to do with writing is fun. (Although I do get a little frustrated when something goes screwy with the computer. But then I feel so good when I figure it out.) I'm more likely to have to step away from my desk because my back is bothering me or because it's only hours before I have to wake up.
However, I say all that while knowing full well I write for pleasure. I wonder how I'd feel with constant deadlines and a paycheck hanging in the balance.
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I would venture to guess that the further you get into a writing career, the more it starts to feel like a job. I think it is key to keep a balance on "seriousness". Allow me to elaborate my "TruHeroism".
If you take yourself or your work too seriously, you will end up hating it. If you don't take it serious enough, you will never get anywhere. It is key to laugh at yourself occasionally, then laugh at others just as much. Although to be P.C. about it you should tell them you are laughing "with" them. I wish someone would invent a seriousometer, or a seriousiliscope to tell us when we are getting too serious. Maybe it could have a blood pressure cuff and infrared capabilities.
Anyway, I think you get the picture. Writing is fun, or it is what you make it. Just think, people pay Therapists thousands of dollars to unload their fantasies and fears. We get to do it for free, with the possiblity of making some money at it. Who could ask for anything more?
On the other hand if you overthink it, you'll end up shakin' like a dog poopin' peach pits!
[This message has been edited by TruHero (edited February 24, 2004).]
Have you ever tried to begin with a detailed outline? I was just wondering how literal you meant your, "20 pages until frustration," comment, because I am in the middle of a novel and haven't hit any writers block or real frustrations at all.
At least as far as the writing goes, some of the planning and finding the time and holding to schedule are all definite frustrations though.
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I don't think I would ever be able to finish anything if writing wasn't fun. Sometimes its work, of course, but then it's usually fun work. If it wasn't fun, I would definitely ask myself why I was doing it and if it was worth it.
One thing I disagree with you on, Survivor, and I think I've disagreed with you on it before, and I'll go to my grave disagreeing with you on it, although it wouldn't be bad if I was proved wrong on that last part. Rewriting is NOT fun. It hurts.
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By the way, MindSurfer, I probably wouldn't throw a television or a computer out the window, either. Am I the only one who thinks that isn't quite a normal thing to do?
Posts: 1528 | Registered: Dec 2003
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Well, sometimes it isn't fun to rewrite...but other times it most certainly is a lot of fun. It does always hurt, though, I'll grant you that.
Posts: 8322 | Registered: Aug 1999
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Writing/Rewriting does sometimes make me lose my mind, but then I read something that makes me think, or something new, or in the case of today, something that makes me laugh really, really hard. Pearls Before Swine Comic, Feb 29
I just read this and thought,, Yes, that is what responding to the audience is all about, plus, I think I now want to include the phrase 'coastal monkey factory' in everyday conversation.