The biggest secret to writing is writing; writing means taking action. Right now. Here’s another secret: you don’t have to write everything you think… and you don’t have to publish everything you write.
You don’t even have to know what to write. The act of writing inspires more writing.
For example — I’m using this article as an example — I’m writing about writing without any other sort of inspiration. Horribly self-referential, no?
But I do have inspiration!
And I have a challenge for those of you who “don’t have time to write.”
You do have time to write. You have the same 24 hours as everyone else. How you choose to spend that time is your business. If you don’t spend it writing, you simply don’t want to write badly enough. Your desire is weak.
How could I say this?
It sounds insulting.
But it’s true. When your desire is very strong, you will make the necessary time. Your writing will be all the better for it.
Meet Gene Wolfe
Gene Wolfe is one of the best writers you never heard of, and possibly never will—unless you’re very young because he will be posthumously renown. There is no doubt. Right now, he’s revered among a small segment of the science fiction community for intricate novels dense with multiple interlocking plot lines that reference wide swaths of human history.
Wolfe’s novels pay dividends over and over. They read fresh each reading. As your understanding deepens, you learn something new, each time. He’s somewhat like Tolkien: read all the spoilers, plot summaries, synopses and cliff notes you want… but nothing will prepare you for the experience of actually reading this man’s writing.
How did Gene Wolfe do it?
Well, he got up and wrote for 90 minutes every morning, and for 90 minutes every evening. For 30 years. While he was working a full time job. With a family.
As you know, I usually provide a Amazon affiliate link to various writers and musicians that strike my fancy. In this case, no. Gene Wolfe requires too much attention. His stories are wonderful, but you must give him back the time he gives you. And digging him out on Amazon or Barnes and Noble or wherever is a small price to pay. If you’re intrigued, you’ll take action. You can even use one of my other Amazon links if you’re so inclined. And if you do take this action, to see what “not having time to write” produces, feel free to drop me a note. Email is fine, or leave a comment, whatever.
I recommend you first read Wolfe’s “The Book of the New Sun.” And I’ll warn you again: don’t waste your time reading reviews; no review you read of this book can prepare you the experience.
Have you lost track of our topic? That the secret to writing is writing? Writers like Gene Wolfe inspire me tremendously. Such writers “don’t have time to write.” They make time to write, and produce works of colossal stature.
You can make time to write
It turns out it isn’t that hard to make time to write, as long as you want it very badly. You can work it in anytime, anywhere. Send yourself emails. Keep a little notebook. Keep a scrap book either online or on paper. If you have a blog, create a new article, or add to an existing article (as I am doing with this article).
If the prose isn’t flowing, jot down an outline.
Create a certain time of day dedicated to writing. Even 15 minutes in the morning or evening will pay big dividends within a few weeks. It’s not that difficult, and you can make the time to succeed!
That’s not all
By the way, did you know programming is the same way? If you want to program, do some programming every day. This is little more difficult, as it’s really bad practice to write code without testing what you have written, and testing takes more time and energy than programming takes. (Testing is usually boring and tedious.) A little bit every day adds up to a colossal amount in the long term.
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This is so true. I think most would-be writers don’t want to make the time to write, because then they would be forced to see the flaws in their writing – to proofread and edit (like testing code, right?) If it’s really your passion, then the “drudge work” of editing isn’t a horrendous chore, either. But in my experience, what most people really mean when they say, “I want to write,” is “I want to have written.” Or, “I want to have written and published a bestselling novel in my sleep, and wake to find it prominently displayed on the bookstore’s shelves.”
Heh… I want to have written too!
I just want to “have written” bad enough to sit down and expose myself to public ridicule.