I don't know about you, but sometimes I loose my motivation. It's not writer's block, it's something worse. It's the will, the drive to keep writing. It's the "why bother?" frame of mind.
I mean, why bother? I sigh and I get to feeling sort of sorry for myself. I wonder what the point is. Sometimes I get very close to closing the file drawer permanently and letting myself be content with the publications I've gotten and reading books by those who didn't give up/give in.
But then I see something like this and I know I can't give up. Onward through the fog....
I don't know why, but when I clicked on the video, it said it was removed. Anyway, I was feeling the SAME thing last night! Weird! I was telling my husband that maybe I should spend all this time relaxing or reading or something else. But today I had a great writing day so I got over the hump. I hope you have a great writing day. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteI totally know this feeling! I'll always keep writing but the whole polishing, revising, and seeking publication is what I want to give up on occasionally. ugh! Its hard.
ReplyDeleteThese feelings of wanting to give up can be so pervasive and STRONG. But you are STRONGER!
ReplyDeleteThe video was removed.
With all those blank pieces of paper, empty notebooks, fabulous wrting implements, and all that available computer memory, giving up on writing would be the same as sending a "removed" or blank YouTube spot. You made your point! Great metaphor!
ReplyDeleteFixed the video!
ReplyDeleteChristina, I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets to feeling like packing it in.
And you're right Julie, it's not the writing it's the rest of it that wears a writer down.
Yat-Yee, Thanks!
And Erva, What would I do with all those notebooks and writing implaments?
(I think I can, I think I can....)
I've published a lot, and when there are difficult days, or when a story is just not taking shape, I often say out loud even, "Why do I do this? Who really cares about any of this anyway?"
ReplyDeleteThen there are other days when I can't wait to get my fingers on those keys and work some more.
Bipolar writing style I guess.
And great video ---
I know that why-bother voice well. I'm trying to remember that this should really be about the love of doing it, the hope of reaching someone with it.
ReplyDeleteThat video is great and shows that even the amazingly talented struggled to get there.
This is one of my fav motivational vids!
ReplyDeleteThat was awesome - thanks for sharing! Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team? Unbelievable! Sometimes I totally feel like "why bother?" even though I know I could never give up writing - it's too much a part of me. But it does get so darn discouraging sometimes.
ReplyDeleteYes, I share the why bother voice with you all. In some ways it's the most defeating one in my head.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your doubts, Bish. I go through stages of wanting to give up and it's comforting to know I'm not alone. Great video! I'm saving the address.
ReplyDeleteI think we all go through times where writing fiction just doesn't seem important enough. I mean, my friend the RN makes a difference in life-and-death crises, and who's really going to care if I publish another novel? I have to think about how much I love reading, how much particular stories and characters can really shape people, or even assuage loneliness, and how much storytelling is really a basic part of human nature. For me, keeping going is a lot about keeping my eyes on the big picture.
ReplyDeleteBish, your post and that video are just what I needed after a long day that's left me feeling a bit why bother-ish. Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteI love this video. I will never give up :)
ReplyDelete