A Relationship Takes Work
Writing is a relationship. I’m a little afraid to jinx it, but writing is going well, lately. I’m definitely all over it, trying to figure out why it’s going well so that I can replicate the situation, environment, and mindset for the next time writing becomes challenging.
I’m not sure if it was like this for all my schoolmates, but during my time in conservatory and thereafter, I was rather… down-to-earth and business-like in making a career and making money from music. In other words, keeping the passion and love alive was definitely not on my priority list.
Being “professional” was sorta drilled into your skull at all costs. (I am a rare bird in that I remember my time in conservatory fondly. The majority of my friends spent about a decade “getting over” the experience. When I was there, they hired a full-time psychiatrist to help students deal.)
I remember one friend being rather proud of herself for being down-to-earth enough to realize that “it’s a job, just like any other.”
It worked, honestly. I think C.I.M. boasts that 90% (around there) of their alumni make their living in music. But personally, I got burnt out. That was my fault, not C.I.M.’s. I sometimes cut corners out of what I loved about being a musician and teacher in order to make money.
Bad idea. It kills your enthusiasm, stresses you out, and burns you out, which, long-term, gives you less profit.
With writing, I’ve been careful to take the opposite approach: I protect the writing at all costs. I am trying to nurture my enthusiasm. I refuse to settle. Sure, what I’ve learned about making money in the arts is up there in my head, and I can’t completely turn it off (and perhaps my approach only works because of this), but my focus is on having fun and loving story and giving fiction everything I’ve got.
So I’m very careful to monitor what motivates me and what does not. Writing is going awesome at the moment. It’s erotica, though. I’ve got to figure out how to apply that to a NY-able genre.
Another big difference is that I have a lot more on my plate to write. And people already want it. That makes a big difference for my motivation.
Oddly, I have some deadlines coming up, but I’m writing as if I have none—and writing faster because of it. I’m just spending every second I can writing because I can’t wait to get back to my world and my characters.
I forgot what this was like.
I’ve been going to the movies a lot. That’s important for me. I love story, and in a movie I can disappear in it. When I read, it’s a little like working. I analyze too much while reading, so movies help me disappear in story.
I’m trying to remember these things, so I can keep the love alive.
How do you keep the love alive in your relationship with writing? What motivates you the most?
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Natasha Fondren is a writer traveling the U.S. in a camper with her four cats. She is currently enjoying the lizards and desert heat in Arizona.
I feel that there are books I could write that are in demand, books I don’t read and don’t particularly care for. Every time I’m tempted to write one, something inside me rises up and won’t let me do it. Those are the books that would suck the joy out of writing for me.
I’m so excited about what I’m doing now. I just wish there were more hours in the day.
Edie, I have that thing, too: “something inside me rises up and won’t let me do it.” Like non-fiction writing. I enjoyed it when I needed it, but then that something said, “Okay, now write fiction. It’s what you’re supposed to do.”
I would love more hours!
Writing is not a business. Selling writing is a business. Writers who seem to take pride in being business people first and foremost are taking pride in selling writing, rather than writing, but what’s the big deal about commerce? Besides, a business person who chooses to sell writing to make money rather than about a million other possibilities is an idiot.
Well said, Eric! And seriously, LOL, about a business person choosing to sell writing!
Proving all the idiots who said I couldn’t write wrong.
G, sometimes people telling me I’m on the wrong path is highly motivating to me, too!
HI! I have no idea how your blog link got lost on me, but I have found it again…so sorry I haven’t stopped by in so long! Crossed wires!
What motivates me is…hm. What motivates me? I actually am not sure! It seems to be a mood thing with me- I’m either in the “zone” or I’m not. Luckily, I’m getting in the zone here lately!
SO GLAD I FOUND YOU AGAIN!
Colby! HI! So good to see you! I think I lost you, too, in the Google Reader fiasco about a year or so ago!
I’ve found caffeine to be highly motivating.
I like this. Well said and true.
Thanks, Charles!
You are a great motivator! You truly are! I’m back in the saddle writing. But I was away for so long that I had to read the whole movie again and get back into the characters. I love them. I almost wish I could hop into my script like Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins.
I am?! LOL! Awesome, though! I love that movie! I need to see it again. I hope you’re still having fun with it, Robin!
Wonderfully said points, my friend. If not for your blog, I’d burn most of my prose. lol
Ironically, I keep my writing love alive by cutting back on blogs. So many are written, I’m sure, in order to be helpful, but sometimes there are ones that seem to dissect the entire publishing world so that it’s all just icky. Sort of like an autopsy on a once beautiful actress – cut open she’s just damn ugly.
I have a quote, although can’t recall the person who said it, but it goes something like, “You can write for yourself and have no public, or write for the public and have no self.” I recall this whenever I’m losing the love, remembering that my first audience is always going to be me.
Then I’m glad I blog, Kath!
I’m really glad you’re writing again.
Great analogy about the autopsy! I’ve found that I really need to start telling myself, “Good writing is enough.” Even though the overall message is that it’s not.
Great post as always), Natasha.
This is a lesson I’ve been learning the hard way lately. Seeing a call for submissions used to be what really motivated me and I’d hurry and do something before the deadline, and boy, does it show!
Am experimenting with another approach now, and the feeling is very, very different. Much richer and fuller somehow.
Thanks, Kate! Deadlines used to motivate me, too. And then they didn’t. Frustrating!
I do find that my relationship with writing is richer, too. Perfect word for it!
As an artist, it’s a roller coaster ride. Sometimes inspiration is everywhere (for example, right now I had too many ideas for paintings & struggled to choose just one.) Sometimes inspiration isn’t even on the horizon. I’ve learned not to worry much about those times (& to keep a list of things to paint!)
Lana, I really have to learn to not worry much about those times! I agree about the roller coaster ride.
Well, I’m a professional musician, but we both have careers in the creative arts and are making a living expressing ourselves, so I feel I can answer your question.
In the short term, what motivates me to practice is avoiding failure – I don’t want to show up sounding like crap or unable to play through a rehearsal because I’m out of shape. In the long term, though, it’s the sheer love of what I do and the amazing repertoire I get to play that keeps me going. I get such a kick out of most of the concerts we play. Isn’t it fantastic to have that kind of high, fulfillment, and rush from your job? 
Of course you can, Darcy! Yeah, some of the repertoire you get to play is totally awesome! You make me miss it a lot. I can’t wait to get my piano living where I live.
It is! I do find that writing doesn’t have that same rush as performing. I love and miss that. There is still a shared connection with the audience, but it’s slower and mostly invisible, rather than experiential. I miss that a lot!
I have to agree with you here. If you make it work, it reads like work and takes work to read.
Totally, Writtenwyrdd!
I just found your blog and I really like it, not only what you write about, but also your readers comments. Not only that, but I love cats and spent around 10 years travelling around Australia in a caravan. I was a performer at the time, not music, theatre, but we have a lot in common.
Anyway, I agree with everything everyone else has said but the thing about earning money in the arts always brings me back to this quote from someone…
‘Do what makes your heart sing and the rest will flow from that.’
In all my artistic endeavours (I’m multitalented and cursed with creativity)I have found this to be true and I wrote my YA fantasy novel, ‘Lethal Inheritance,’ because that made my heart sing loud and clear and beautiful. And I think that your readers would all agree that without the love of writing, the writing isn’t lovely.
If you’re interested, you can preview ch 1 of my novel, at http://publishersearch.wordpress.com/lethal-inheritance/
Hi Tahlian! I’m trying to write YA right now, so it’s cool to know someone else! Good luck!
I certainly hope your quote is correct.
It’s nice to meet you!