Binge Writer
I'm a total binge writer. I write tons when I do finally sit down and commit to writing. When I'm casually at the keyboard--ha!--I'm lucky if I can pound out a blog post. But at least I am aware and take advantage of my terribly bad habits.
For instance, I have a newsletter to get out, the first few chapters of the next book need to be reworked, and well I have to finish that second book as well. And today looks like it might be one of my binges. So I better get the files lined up and my action plan in place--because I don't come up for air until I run outta steam. Unless of course I don't have anything demanding my attention--and then the binge dies suddenly and I am left with less than the writing I'd hope to have done.
Recently at a book signing one of the attendees asked (and no it wasn't me) Jenny Crusie and Bob Mayer how they wrote-- scheduled or not. The both laughed themselves close to tears. Not. Definitely not said Jenny. Bob agreed whole-heartedly and then said (and I paraphrase), "I am leary of anyone who says they do write on a schedule." I think my writerly crush started about then.
Imagine that-- a MULTI-published author admitting that he writes in fits and spurts and sometimes not at all. GASP! The horror!
In my world, he had spoken something close to a miracle. See the things is--since starting to do this writing thing seriously, I always feared that my inability to stick to a writing schedule in any sort of organized fashion would eventually be my downfall. And the jury is still out on that one since I haven't even started and up-fall yet. But the point is--being a mom, wife, corporate employee, and just plain old human (read: procrastinator), I feared I would never cut it as a writer. Even though I write in my day job--I do a plethora of other things--so the idea of writing on-demand for days and days at a time, all the time, it had me more than nauseated. I was near hysteria--but still trying to live what I thought might be the most *correct* (and assumed productive) work pattern of what was preached as the *writer schedule.*
But now, Jenny and Bob have cleared the myth. I can watch my binging and purging and no that I am somewhat near normal when considered a writer. And then when I really don't want to write, I can still pick up the laptop and give it a try. Because as any good writer knows--if you DON'T write AT ALL for weeks at a time... well, you lose your touch. Then again, I don't know if I know a writer that can give it up for more than 2 weeks. Me? I've made it a week. And that included vomiting, fevers, and something that was a lot like hallucinations. Better not try that again.
For instance, I have a newsletter to get out, the first few chapters of the next book need to be reworked, and well I have to finish that second book as well. And today looks like it might be one of my binges. So I better get the files lined up and my action plan in place--because I don't come up for air until I run outta steam. Unless of course I don't have anything demanding my attention--and then the binge dies suddenly and I am left with less than the writing I'd hope to have done.
Recently at a book signing one of the attendees asked (and no it wasn't me) Jenny Crusie and Bob Mayer how they wrote-- scheduled or not. The both laughed themselves close to tears. Not. Definitely not said Jenny. Bob agreed whole-heartedly and then said (and I paraphrase), "I am leary of anyone who says they do write on a schedule." I think my writerly crush started about then.
Imagine that-- a MULTI-published author admitting that he writes in fits and spurts and sometimes not at all. GASP! The horror!
In my world, he had spoken something close to a miracle. See the things is--since starting to do this writing thing seriously, I always feared that my inability to stick to a writing schedule in any sort of organized fashion would eventually be my downfall. And the jury is still out on that one since I haven't even started and up-fall yet. But the point is--being a mom, wife, corporate employee, and just plain old human (read: procrastinator), I feared I would never cut it as a writer. Even though I write in my day job--I do a plethora of other things--so the idea of writing on-demand for days and days at a time, all the time, it had me more than nauseated. I was near hysteria--but still trying to live what I thought might be the most *correct* (and assumed productive) work pattern of what was preached as the *writer schedule.*
But now, Jenny and Bob have cleared the myth. I can watch my binging and purging and no that I am somewhat near normal when considered a writer. And then when I really don't want to write, I can still pick up the laptop and give it a try. Because as any good writer knows--if you DON'T write AT ALL for weeks at a time... well, you lose your touch. Then again, I don't know if I know a writer that can give it up for more than 2 weeks. Me? I've made it a week. And that included vomiting, fevers, and something that was a lot like hallucinations. Better not try that again.
