I’m writing this post as a means to procrastinate. I’m trudging along through my book revision and I have a very intense chapter to write today. With that in mind, I did every errand I could think of. And now here I am, blogging. I swear I will open the dreaded Word document right after I finish this. Really.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about “the muse.” I used to think it was best to wait for inspiration to strike, then write. Now I think it’s best (for me) to start writing and get inspired somewhere along the way. Life has been very busy lately ,with lots of distractions, so I’ve been forcing the writing. But, you know, after those first few minutes of staring at the dreaded Word document, something excites me and it all starts to flow. There are days when it’s just not there, but those are rare. Usually, it’s there; I just have to coax it out.
Last week, Slice published an interview with Elissa Schappel, author, editor, book reviewer, and cofounder of Tin House. She said this about her muse:
“In my twenties I realized that the muse is a bum. The muse only shows up when you bait her by putting your ass in the chair. She can only be lured to your side by the sound of pounding keys, the smell of paper and ink.”
Yes, that’s it.
Well, sometimes that’s it.
Sometimes, I agree with what author Bill Hayes told the New York Times:
“Not writing can be good for one’s writing; indeed, it can make one a better writer… Don’t work through the pain; it will only hurt. Give yourself sufficient time to refresh.”
I have taken months-long breaks from writing over the years. Sometimes I was just too busy. Sometimes I was frustrated with the publishing industry. Sometimes I just didn’t feel like it. So, yeah, there is a place for what Bill Hayes is saying. The problem is that it can be too easy to rationalize that “time to refresh.” I know how that goes:
“Oh, Kim, you’ve had such a long week. You are way behind on episodes of The Killing on Netflix. You’ve cranked out a lot of pages recently. Just veg out today.”
It would be fine if I did veg out. But when else do I have a few hours to focus on an important chapter? I know that some magic will happen in those few hours, in spite of my whining. And, maybe when I’m done, as a reward, I can watch an episode or two of The Killing.
Off I go. Wish me luck.
A Muse oftens waits to see what you’ve done rather than help. Mine has been hiding and I’ve looked everywhere for her, but I keep on writing and try hard to make it everyday. So just write the @^%# book, Ha!
I think that’s the key–just keep on writing 🙂