Some say that at seven years, most people start to re-evaluate their relationship. Why am I with this person? And what if there's something better out there for me?
Well, I've been married for almost seven years... but that's not what I'm talking about. Hubs and I are still going strong, with nary an itch in sight. Nope, I'm talking about the other major relationship in my life - me and my writing.
Writing and I have been together for seven years now and I might be getting the itch. I've been thinking a lot lately about why I'm still doing this and wondering whether I shouldn't just get a job ringing up groceries. (Lord knows there'd be more money and less stress. "Paper or plastic?" How hard can it be?)
Of course, during the research for this post, I also found where other people were relating the seven year itch to VD. I've got the writerly clap? Figures. Maybe I spent too much time hopping from one genre bed to the other, trying to find the right one, that I caught something itchy. I wonder if penicillin works for writerly diseases...
Anyway, I still love Writing - I think. I remember why I fell in love with it in the first place. It's just that I'm bored with our relationship. I'm doing all the work and Writing is just laying there, drinking beer and watching infomercials with one hand down its pants scratching its nether regions.
I want the romance back. I want it to take me dancing - or at least give me a reason to dance. I need a little sizzle.
As with everything, this too shall pass. I'll find the romance again. It's not like this hasn't happened before. This time, though, just feels longer and harder - and not in a good way, if you know what I mean.
I think you need to write something strictly for you, with no concern for rules or marketability or any of that. Just write to entertain yourself. Go crazy! Do stuff you'd never do in a "regular" manuscript.
ReplyDeleteThat's kinda how I sold. lol
I'm sorry but "the writerly clap" had me laughing way too loud. Hilarious post!
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kristen above. Make sure you're writing for yourself--something YOU want to read, not what you think needs to be written so you can sell it. If you like what you're writing, that will shine through, and chances are someone else will like it too.
Of course we get tired of doing the sane thing (i.e. writing). Anyone who can type posts like you will have no problem with writing over the years. Sigh. I wish I didn't have any problems with writing!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the others, maybe try writing something different and just for yourself.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be a broken record and agree with everyone... just write something you are passionate about, without regard to any of the normal mechanics of writing and editing and all the boring stuff. You'll find the passion again.
ReplyDeleteI love your post! Witty, clever and TRUE! A good shot of coffee cures most things. That and a shiny new idea. May you be blessed with a dozen very soon!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sorry you feel this way. Sometimes writing starts to feel more like a chore, a job, than a hobby--something that is fun. When this happens for me, I get out my only-for-me project and write that. It's my dirty little secret that I haven't told anyone else about. Not my agent. Not my closest writing friends. NO ONE.
ReplyDeleteIt's just mine. And my plot can wander and my characters can be whatever I want. It's my guilty writing pleasure. It also always helps me get the love of writing back.
I feel your pain and can relate. Though I haven't been writing for that long, my rejection slips say otherwise!
ReplyDeleteI think it goes back to how much you still enjoy writing and how much you still want to do it. It may be a good idea to take a break for a while. I did and it helped a lot.
I know what you mean. The love, it comes and goes, and sometimes you're in love and it's easy and inspired, and sometimes you're totally working at it. The love always, always comes back, though!
ReplyDelete