Pages

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Sunday Ramblings

Why is it that I feel like I can't take weekends off from writing?

I signed on here and felt a pang of guilt that my word meter hasn't moved all weekend. I worked my butt off last week - 130 or so pages - but yet, I feel like it wasn't enough.

Taking down time to recharge the mental batteries and refill the well is important. I mean, what would I have to write about if I didn't? The best ideas usually come after a break. It's not like my brain has totally shut down with thoughts of my work in progress. Last night I dreamt of my story and now have a germ of an idea that's floating through the enormous vacancy in my head. By the time I sit down again, I'll know what it is and where to put it. That's a cool thing.

Weekend writing time is a bonus. That's how I should view it. I need to get over myself. If I get time to write a few pages, great. If I don't, well, that's fine too.

Have a great holiday!

2 comments:

Natalie J. Damschroder said...

You probably feel that way because prevailing wisdom in this industry is Write Every Single Freakin' Day, and if you don't you're not dedicated enough and will never make it.

Bull-pucky.

That advice is not for people who write 130 pages in a week and three (or more!) books a year. It's for people who allow loooong months of haitus from their work, who allow excuses to prevent them from producing. People who have not built their writing muscles to a significant extent. Or even to people who NEED to be connected to their story 7 days a week or lose it.

But I look at it this way. A day job is five days a week. People are more likely to reach higher levels of success if they work weekends, but then often have trouble balancing their lives. It's the same in the writing world. Everyone needs balance.

Everyone deserves weekends.

The Know-It-All has spoken.

Victoria said...

You're right! :) And you're not a Know-It-All. Just the speaker of truth! And exactly the affirmation I need! Thanks! :)