I Want to Want to Write

By GrahamLewis · Jul 24, 2020 · ·
  1. I want to want to write. I know I do it well and I have all reasonable resources at my disposal: a workable laptop with access to online resources, a well-stocked library of hard-bound resources (Oxford American English dictionary, Roget’s Thesaurus, various writing guides, a quiet place to work at a functioning desk, good lighting. I get various suggestions and prompts from sites I follow. My health is reasonably good, my find still sharp, my fingers still agile on the keyboard. And, above all, I have ample time.


    What I’m seeking is the power to get started on something. I know that when I get going (like this) words flow and I fall into the rhythm and cadence of writing, and everything else becomes irrelevant. At those times I know I am a writer. But sometimes the ignition doesn’t catch, the engine won’t turn over.


    I guess what I need is to get out of my head and onto paper, but it can be hard. A lot like “trying” to fall asleep. It can’t be done directly. I tell myself I have no reason to write anymore. I used to think I had or could have fresh insights into life, but now it feels as though I am sometimes borderline sappy or boringly restating maxims. I don’t really have any urge or expectation anymore to become well-known as a writer, so there’s that. What other reason is there to write? Thinking Samuel Johnson’s “a man who writes for anything other than money is a fool.” (paraphrased).


    The obvious answer seems to be, well, the obvious one. I should write because I love the process of writing, and that love is my version of Sam Johnson’s currency. Also, I should add if I’m being honest, I sometimes write in a larger forum, like this, because I like to be liked, I value feedback, I treasure feeling I belong to a larger community of like minds, larger than my audience of one here in my workspace, or of two or three, if you count my wife and my daughter.


    And so, here I sit, having postulated and answered my question in the same blog entry. The way out of one’s head and onto paper is simply and starkly, to get out of one’s head.


    Thanks for reading this, for bearing with me as I wandered through my mush of thought. Now back off, I just might have some serious writing to do.

Comments

  1. J.D. Ray
    I haven't written anything of significance since the coronavirus hit. I can't seem to find the motivation, nor the creativity, to... create. Maybe in the winter. I hope in the winter, because hoping for now seems an irresponsible use of the recently-precious resource of hope.
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