The excuses for not writing that I’ll never use again
I discovered a great fiction-writing blog called Drops of Blood recently and this week Carolyn started a series which is right down my alley … she’s taking note of the various excuses she provides herself when she doesn’t work on her fiction writing, and then trying to find ways to avoid having that excuse rear its ugly head again.
Her first Why I Didn’t Write excuse is a very simple one - she slept too late. (Mental note to self: I haven’t actually used this excuse with myself yet! But I’m a morning person, so I tend to have a book-end excuse at the other end of the day - it’s too late for me to think creatively). Sleeping too late is relatively easily fixed, but it all replies on a bit of self-discipline. That’s not so easy, I know.
Anyway, Carolyn inspired me to think about the various excuses I give myself for not working on my fiction writing, and I decided I’d just make a long list now and then ban myself from using these excuses ever again. Sounds (much too) simple but you never know. My brain has been tricked by less.
- I have to finish the writing I get paid for first
- I’m too tired
- I feel like watching TV or a DVD (rarely, but it does happen)
- I can do it tomorrow … there’s no deadline
- I’ll just read a chapter (or three) of that book and then I’ll feel more inspired
- I’m hungry and/or thirsty
- The cats are bugging me to play with them instead of sitting here typing (it’s true, they can be really annoying, one likes to put her sharp little claws into my behind!)
- I have to do the washing/unload the dishwasher/vacuum (who would’ve thought I’d ever rather do those things?)
The totally irritating thing is I don’t think I’ve ever actually experienced writers’ block - I’ve never sat there and not known what to write. It’s just that I don’t always get myself to the sitting there stage. So now I formally announce that I will never use any of the above excuses again.
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