How funny it seems as of late the frequency in which the subject of "writing" has been on the minds of a significant few that have been of recent contact. It's taken me several days to be able to concisely convey what I hope will connect with all of the individual concerns expressed.
Putting words on a piece of paper, or at a greater level of disconnect -a computer moniter, etc.- is a simple act. There's usually a basic, fulfilling purpose or need: accounting, schooling, texting, grant/business proposals, grocery lists... So few of us write for abstract purposes. There's the occasional "love letter", if those even exist anymore, but that's hardly the sort of abstraction I'm implying (although many delusions of love are typically very abstract).
For those bold enough to venture into the lands of journaling, poetry, prose, short stories, and novel we eventually discover that writing is a relationship. Whether we consciously acknowledge or even realize this is unimportant but what is, is whether we decide to engage in that relationship or not.
I have come to find that writing is no more than a physical manifestation of our relationship with ourselves. It's not to say that non-writers will never know themselves but I also won't say whom I find has the advantage.
What you're writing isn't so much important as why. No matter what it is (even if it's nothing at all), "why" will only provide you with insight. Since one of the biggest issues any writer faces is not writing; truthfully, the only issue, I'll delve a bit deeper into my concise opinion on the subject.
It's a good gauge for denial if you're an active writer who, "hasn't gotten around to it in a while" or "I just haven't had anything to say." Can we take a moment to consider why we have nothing to say and what's getting around to something that always requires effort anyway? When answering those sorts of questions it will only benefit you if you don't bullshit yourself. As obvious as that may seem, b-s-ing yourself is a refined, subconscious artform and you're probably better at it than you're willing to give credit.
Sometimes we just can't bring ourselves to write no matter how badly we want to because we just aren't inspired. This is one of my biggest issues and I finally realized that that answer in itself is bullshit.
What inspires me to write, is my writing. Seeing my thoughts, ideas, fantasies, emotions, transformed into something tangible is why I desired to write in the first place.
So if I enjoy it so much, then why would I deny myself the pleasure of performing it? This is the point that if you haven't de-railed already, begin preparing for it. Life happens and is always a perfect excuse. I actually couldn't be more sincere about that last statement.
Life happens to me constantly. In fact, I really couldn't think of a whole number of people (actually I can't even think of that many) who have quite the daily ride that I do, so I am most sympathetic... but we have to fight to write. When you get down to it, no amount of preparation, meditation, cleanliness of space, emotional stability, time, etc. is going to send you over that edge. That is all you.
The key to keep in mind is knowing you will get off track, you will lose sight and focus. Count on it. That way you don't send yourself leagues back on your own progress because you can't get over the fact that you fell off the train to begin with, for whatever reason. Get over it and get back on it and never forget why you write.
Even if we only take one step a day to get to where we're going, after 100 days, we will have progressed 100 steps. If we grew tired and only made it to 74, at least we're 74 steps ahead of the guy who never took one.
That being said, I have work to do.
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