Major Misconceptions
With the kids back in school, some of us are renewing our commitments
to our own writing practice. (Do you still feel the excitement of a new
notebook? a new pen? I do!) This is a good time to think about the
misconceptions we sometimes have about the writing process, and see how
they can get in our way. Which of these three major misconceptions
are keeping you from telling your story?
"I can't write unless I have at least two or three hours of free time every day."--Let's face it: most of us aren't going to find that kind of time in our busy lives. And what's more, we don't NEED that kind of time! Regular short periods of writing allow us to write, go away and do something else, then return to our writing with a fresh eye. You'll probably accomplish a great deal more in six daily 20-minute sessions than you will in a two-hour marathon session.
"I have to wait until I'm inspired."--This common misconception keeps a great many people from ever starting to write! The truth is that the writing process itself is what creates that wonderful, electrical sense of "inspiration." Ideas inspire us, words inspire us, the joy of creating meaningful order out of a chaos of feelings inspires us. The longer we sit around and wait for inspiration, the more it eludes us.
"I can't write until I know what I'm going to say."--Most writers find that exactly the opposite thing is true: we don't know what we're going to say until we begin to write! We write our way toward the truth and into a new kind of knowledge. We write our way out of ignorance, out of self-delusion. If you're worried about finding something to say, just start writing. It may take a while, but you'll find your message--and your voice.
So what are you waiting for? If you have 20 minutes a day, you can be inspired. And if you just keep writing, you'll discover what you have to say. So get that new notebook, reach for that new pen, or turn on the computer and open a brand new file. It's time to write that story!
Want ideas for writing your life? Go to the Story Circle website and
click on LifeStory
Briefs.
--Susan Wittig Albert