Like noses, ears, and eyes, we all have them, but when it comes to writing, excuses don’t serve us.
In my twenty-two years of helping people write their life stories and family histories, I’ve heard a lot of excuses:
- I don’t have time.
- I’m too busy.
- I’ll do it tomorrow.
- I can’t think of anything to write.
- My computer is broken.
- My pen ran out of ink.
- I can’t find any paper.
- I lost my writing notebook.
- I’m no good at this.
- I can’t remember anything.
- The cat died.
- The cat didn’t die.
No excuse is a good excuse, even though sometimes dedicating a lot of time to writing isn’t possible. The key is knowing if each instance of not being able to write is legitimate or just a justification.
Developing and strengthening your writing discipline will result in great rewards.
Instead of “I can’t think of anything to write,” or “I can’t remember anything.” My memory is great, for which I thank God daily. So many things trigger an old memory and spurting forth stories. Problem: sitting down at my computer and writing it. Excuses, excuses that’s all I hear in my mind. Solution: discipline. Next Problem: those I manage to write require tons of editing–not my ‘long suit.’
I hate to bother my sweet, brilliant child editor, Etya, in fifteen minutes it’s perfect. OH, Woe is me.
I guess I’m a “fits and spurts” writer that Patricia alluded to. Some days are devoid of inspiration, others are so full of ideas, I am at my desk for hours. Like most of us, if I don’t jot down an idea, it flies away with the wind. Any distraction can stunt my creativity; laundry, TV, grocery shopping, even making the grocery list, all guide my mind elsewhere. I realize I have to press through and make my writing efforts more disciplined. I’m still working on that.
Judy, I seem to lose track of the subject for this week. Then keeping it to 300 words. And worst of all is the editing.
We seem to be on the same page, Judy. When my mind is in overdrive, I write constantly. Then there are those days when nothing comes to mind, but an occasional sentence in a book will catch my eye, so I’ll write it down. Other times I will take a break when I have to keep some distance to get a different view of what I have already written before I can get back to it to smooth it out and massage it.
As we’ve all come to expect, Dave stole some of my thunder. I also write pretty much on impulse. Many of my vignettes have come after my brain goes off at 3:30 in the morning. Sometimes I get up and write the idea on a Post-it for future use. If I don’t take this step as a minimum, the thought will be gone by sunrise. But there are also the times when the fire burns brightly. On those mornings I have to write the story right away. Unless I have an early morning appointment, I can get away with staying… Read more »
You reassure me, John!
As you may have suspected, a microchip was implanted in your brain when you got your covid vaccine. I’ve hacked into that chip, and have been stealing your thunder.
I don’t have a routine or much discipline. I hear stories in my head while walking the dog or any activity where I don’t need to interact. Then I feel compelled to write notes down before I forget. Can I leave it there?..oh, no I can’t. The unfinished piece nags me, pesters me, until I start to write, and then the words spill out faster than I can type…most of the time. But sometimes I have to pry them out, like using a tweezer to pull a sliver out of a finger. Then there is the topic of the dreaded… Read more »
Okay. I admit it. I am out of the discipline of routine. I want it back. I write, but it is intermittent, brief phrases, paragraphs, and notes that don’t ever make it into a story….yet. I keep doing the small bits, yes, but want to be more consistent, as the vlog suggests. Like practicing for my piano lesson, I am cramming at the last minute lately. This will STOP. Now, as of this small recording, my discipline starts HERE. There! I’ve got one foot on the train. I’ll report back to my buddies in a few weeks to let you… Read more »
Daily reports. Have you tried the 750 words site? It sends me a pestering email daily.
I will check it out. Thanks, Dave!
This morning, I found this lovely bit to play in the background. It has just seven instrumental classical music pieces, that happened to be my favorite and surprisingly got the writing juices flowing.
Bluey Classical Music To Study To….(Upbeat Instrumental Classical Music from Bluey Season 1-3)
I’ve never watched Bluey before, but I remember many a Bugs Bunny having classical music in the show.