I'm surprised that no one else seems to have picked it up on this thread, but I'm sorry for your loss. I feel that your question is far more loaded than we realise. I liked what you said about family gatherings being precious - yes they are, and I think it's better this way - as in, better that you don't write on those few occasions and devote all your time to the people who matter. Writing, as much as we love it, as wonderful and meaningful as it might be, can never replace the people in our lives. While I'd certainly regret it if I never wrote a novel, I think I'd regret it more if I lost out on time with my family. I also don't think it's necessary to write everyday - look, at the end of the day, writing is for you. You write because it brings you joy. If it's not bringing you joy, if it's not what you need that day, then don't write. Writing does not control you, it is not some master or dictator you must submit to and that somehow you've failed if you didn't write. Writing is meant to be liberating, not oppressive. I think we all need different things at different times, and at a time when you're faced with death, it's not something you can push away, dismiss or just ignore. Death changes people, and we all need different things and have different ways of coping with that change, of growing, of finding peace and finding our feet again when it seems like the ground beneath us has given way. Surround yourself with what you feel you need, with people who love you, with the silence and the space and solitude that you might need for thinking, for that darkness to dissipate. Now is not the time for force - write if you can, when you can, but don't worry too much. There're really far more important things in life. You will come back to it. When you're ready, you'll come back to writing, and the paper and pen will be right there waiting for you You won't lose it, it always comes back. In my opinion, there is a time and a place for everything.
I just read an interview with Anne Rice, in which she said that sometimes she goes for months without writing anything on the computer. She said she's always writing in her head, though, and stories are always cooking in the back of her mind. I would hope that people find their own level here, and don't feel guilty or inadequate if they don't sit down and write every day. It's not everyone's method. It certainly isn't mine. Lots of time goes into planning my novel, writing notes as thoughts strike me, getting settings established in my head, playing what-if games with my characters, researching particular plot threads, etc. This doesn't all happen on paper. When I do sit down to write, I'm often at it for most of the day, now that I'm retired and can do what I want. I used to have a job that wasn't predictible as to work hours. I found this incredibly frustrating. I would plan to write, and then somebody would ask me to change shifts or work doubles or whatever. Sometimes I worked mornings, sometimes afternoons. I managed to finish the first draft of my first long novel while I was still in that job. I did this by going to bed very early at night—between 8 and 9pm—and getting up every morning at 4.30 am to write. This gave me a full night's sleep, plus allowed me to work in peace at a time of day when nobody bothered me. No phone calls, no doorbells, nobody stopping in for a yak, etc. It also got me writing when my subconscious mind was at its peak of production, which comes just after waking. I know this schedule won't appeal to everybody, but it does work. On the days when I had to work at 8am, this gave me a couple of hours of fresh and sassy writing time before I had to skedaddle. On days when I didn't have to work till noon, well, that was heaven ...I got a LOT done! @cazann34 and @Mckk Mckk says it very well. Of course you shouldn't have to explain why you don't feel up to writing at times of stress, trauma and grief. Some people will find writing theraputic at these times, but most of us certainly won't.
I loved an interview with Simone de Beauvoir where she tells about her working habits: a few hours in the morning, after breakfast, a few in the afternoon, when she visits Sartre. And then she says for Gerard Genette: he works for 12 hours a month, when it suits him
for the past almost 20 years, my entire life has been devoted to one aspect or another of writing, so my answer would have to be 'yes'... even during the decade and a half before that, while still raising the youngest 2 of my seven kids as a single mom, and running an upscale 'rooming house' in 1/3 of our home, i still wrote just about every day, both to earn a living and because writing is what i most love to do in life...
I always try to write everyday but it is also nice to rest. If you don't rest then you be a bit too close to your work, what that's my thinking but everyone is different from each other.
Sometimes I'm able to write for a week straight, and then I can't for a few days. Writer's block will usually get to me, especially recently. Forcing it is usually a mixed bag, sometimes it'll work to an extent while other times I can't get five words in before becoming too frustrated. Then I get frustrated on days that I don't write at all — knowing the fact that I had a day to write and didn't do anything with it — even if I did have writer's block.
Very true. This is my favourite place to procrastinate. I work early shifts, starting at four and six. Eight hours later, I get home and do about two hours of school work (full time job, part time student), then I think: Okay, time to write! Then I wake up two hours later with my face on the keyboard and my day is over. I always think I can stay awake, but I never can! My days off are usually spent finishing up schoolwork and taking tests, at that point I'm so tired of thinking that I just play guitar, write songs, or visit this place. I get the odd 500 words in here and there, though. I've made peace with that.
@cazann34 - I'm sorry for your loss. I recently lost my stepfather, and I gave the eulogy at his funeral. The funny thing is, I knew as soon as I first heard the news that I wanted to give it, and I never wrote anything down, not even notes. But I did give it a lot of thought. As for your question, like many others, I cannot write every day - life just doesn't allow it. I'd say I usually tend to writing projects for a part of the day five days per week, commitment contingent. That doesn't necessarily mean actually writing. It could be reading, researching or even jotting down ideas (example: yesterday was a brutally busy workday for me, rushing from one place to another. But at one point I had about an hour before a meeting was to begin, so I took out a note pad and started jotting down some new ideas for my current project). Joseph Wambaugh (The Onion Field) once said that he forced himself to write at least 1,000 words every single day. If it works for him, fine, but I couldn't operate that way. When I write, it's because I have something to say. If I don't, then I don't.
I am sorry for your loss. With my own grandmother's death back last year, I hadn't written much of anything the day before or on grandma's funeral. It was horrible all around because we were within a couple of days of seeing her that weekend... and just like that, she died. I at least write in my journal, but even I have had my days where I write nothing at all in it, and have even gone TWO years without updating once. I go for months without writing stories, but once I have a good story idea going, I pretty much write nonstop, though I left one just cold recently to start another. So I don't write every day at all.
I don't write every day. I do, however, think about my writing every day - there's usually a problem or two with whatever story I'm working on, and I'm thinking about that. I'm generating, considering, and making notes on ideas for new stories. I'm alone a lot, and I'm almost always talking to myself about my stories. In a way, they're like children, and I feel like I'm raising them as much as writing them.
i dont always write, but im always doing something towards it, whether it be research, character profiles, jotting down ideas...
"I don't always write, but when I do, I write 'Dos Equis'." - the most interesting man in the world. Sorry, couldn't resist.
@cazann34 I, too, am sorry for your loss. That had to be hard on you, I'm assuming. It's really great that you mention family gatherings because I think it is important to put the work away for some time with them. We only get this life with them once, so spending time among loved ones and truly appreciating it is important, in my opinion. To answer your question, I don't write every day (if we're talking purely creative writing). Some authors and professionals will have you believe it is imperative to write as much as possible, and I agree, but it's important to step away from the page and live. These days it's not easy to make time for both, so I'd say I live a bit more than I write because--let's be honest-- it's not easy to write without experiencing or seeing or reading things. I spend a lot of time talking with people and learning about our shared world. I go for walks, cook, and draw. I do keep a journal that I write in as often as I can make time. Alas being a college student requires me to direct my time elsewhere, though this Forum affords me the opportunity to procrastinate a little (more than I should). As much as I love writing, I realized that my writing s my way of capturing or recreating things I love about living. Or, more accurately, exploring aspects of life that in ways that cannot be done in normal settings. I write out of internal motivation, and when that is gone, I read, edit, or "explore".
I'm always forming ideas and brainstorming in my head, but actually writing them down is a different story. Lately with running all over the place from Tennessee to Timbucktu along with setting up my new apartment, doing things with mi'lady, reading, and getting a job I'm lucky if I can even get on the computer period.
Replace "drawing" with "doing coursework assignments" and you would be stealing the words right out of my mouth.
Well that's in there too! Drawing is more of occasional weekend thing just to try different things and help me visualize things. I lumped course work in with reading because this semester that is the bulk of my work (Soooo much easier than trying to be an engineer )
For me, this is not true. I need uninterrupted time to write. This is an easy place to come if I'm interrupted every two minutes. I can browse the forums while my kids are carrying on and my husband is complaining. I can take an immediate break, even if I'm in the middle of composing a reply (although I don't like to). If I'm writing and I'm interrupted, it takes me several minutes to get back in the writing groove, by which time I'd be interrupted again. I will admit, though, that this site can be a procrastination before I start writing. But once I start writing, I don't have a desire to surf the net.
I make a point to write every day. I'll miss a day if I'm sick or if I have been absolutely slammed at work and I'm horribly tired. Otherwise I try to get at least 1,000 words in. I view it like exercise. Got to keep in shape.
I try to go for one thousand words every day. It's best if you set a goal and build discipline to achieve it.
Yes, that's a 'me too!' Except I don't have kids. But I do have a husband who likes to bop in and out with little anecdotes all day long, friends who phone me, cold callers who phone me, doorbells ringing, etc. It's either I start screaming and foaming at the mouth at the constant trivial interruptions which nobody but a fellow writer can comprehend—or else I get up VERY early when nobody's about and sneak off to my computer. The forums are for when I'm just messing around. They don't require concentration.
No, not every day, unless you count scribbling down ideas as writing. But almost evey day, yes. Perhaps 350 days a year or something. Sometimes you just have such a busy day you don't have time to really sit down and write, sometimes you have research days, etc.
Not exactly every day and I doubt it that I would write under certain circumstances, like in the example. But normally I try to write every day. At least when I have a work in progress. Sometimes I take days off on purpose, to recharge the batteries.
No, I do not write every day, no matter what. Writing is a priority for me, but not the top priority. I am a husband and father of two daughters. That takes priority. Family comes first. I am an English teacher, so lessons and grading and everything related with that takes priority. It is my career, source of income, and a commitment to my students. (I also grade e-course work, as an additional job part time.) I am an elected member of the Village Council. It is a priority. I have a responsibility to those I promised to do the best job I can. Writing fits in next. It is a priority, but that doesn't mean new words. Sometimes it's editing, sometimes it's blogging, sometimes it's marketing, sometimes it's research. I also am an active member in my church and try to have a minimal social life, so sometimes events and commitments intrude on writing, but not often. Although I do derive some income from my published novels and short story collection, writing is not my main source of income. Not even close. If it ever were to elevate to rival my teaching income (it's surpassed my e-course grading income), I don't think I'd give up teaching. It's something that I really enjoy.
Writing is my job, so I do write every day. It takes a lot of work and many hours to produce enough work to support my two kids all on my own, so there are no exceptions. I wrote the day I had major surgery. I wrote the day after major surgery. If someone dies, I still write. I suffered a major loss just a couple months ago. I wrote the day of the funeral, though I did all my writing late at night. As for family gatherings... they're important, but so is my job. I get up three hours early so I can write and still spend time with my family. Someone has to put food on the table.
