The first Wednesday of every month, we answer questions in our IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Join us here – https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
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The awesome co-hosts for the May 4 posting of the IWSG are Kim Elliott,Melissa Maygrove,Chemist Ken,Lee Lowery, and Nancy Gideon!
May 4 question – What are your writer highs? What are your writer lows?
The highs are when I’m getting work done. It’s not that mystical.
A week ago I was interviewed by writer Nancy Christie for her podcast, Living The Writing Life. We talked about my personal versus professional life. Nancy brought up a one-piece I wrote awhile back for Authors Publish https://authorspublish.com/its-okay-to-be-selfish-with-your-writing/. She wanted to know why I used the term ‘selfish’.
We wear multiple hats. Artists have families and have to keep the lights on. As a communications specialist I write for various sites. As a novelist and anthology contributor my mornings are sacred. Nancy asked me why I used the term ‘selfish’ for my writing time. My “selfish time” is right before the sun rises and no one’s blowing up my phone, or walking into my office asking where the laundry detergent is. I keep the door shut. I have no problem delivering a sharp stern, “What?” if that door creaks open.
I don’t really feel I’m selfish, but I used the term selfish in my article to beat judgmental non-creatives to the punch. Yes. If that’s how you see it, I am being selfish with my writing time. I’m cool with that. Just like I’m selfish when I need a hot bath at the end of the day instead of a bottle of wine. Selfish when I need to destress with a workout. The highs are when I’m getting work done. My writing highs are when I’m writing. It’s not that mystical.
I could have said, “Your writing time is sacrosanct.” or “It’s okay to be protective of your writing.” instead of, “It’s okay to be selfish.” in my article. But selfish is what I hear, so that’s what I’ll respond to. Like with self care, some people see writing everyday as pampered. These people feel spending time on something with potentially little to no monetary gain is selfish. Fine. I’m selfish.
The lows are terrible. They don’t come when my queries and pitches are getting rejected by agents and editors. I’m getting responses. I know I’m trying. I’m working. The lows are when I’m stuck. When I’ve fallen off track because life got in the way, and I’m no longer consistent.
What are your writing highs and lows? I always return comments. Happy IWSG day!
Amen! Here’s to being selfish. After a career devoted to nurturing others’ creativity and communication skills, I deserve to be selfish. Great post. I wish you happy writing in May.
I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of crafting other’s creativity. Nothing wrong with it, but I make the special effort to keep my most prolific work hours focussed on myself. Happy writing this spring, Sandira!
I’m still not great at putting aside “me time” for writing. I also find it selfish, because I work all day and then the family needs attention when I’m not working, so it’s a hard balance to strike.
That elusive thing called, “balance”. Le sigh. I hear you.
I have no problem with you using the word selfish. There’s no money made exercising, but I do it every day. I rarely make money playing guitar, but I do it every day. Those are times for me. People don’t think reading is selfish – why should writing be any different?
Thank you, Alex! Reading is an intellectual pursuit, while writing is considered by some an indulgent hobby. Bizarre.
Well, there’s nothing wrong with responding to your critics. I’ve never had anyone accuse me of being selfish for making time to write or exercise, or have a hot bath WITH a bottle of wine. My husband and daughter always supported me and I don’t really care what anyone else thinks.
That’s fantastic you have family support. I would emphasize to writers taking my workshop its like self-care. Even when they’re partners aren’t supportive you do it for you. End of discussion.
I’m fine if they want to call me selfish. I had to learn to say “no” to protect my writing time, and I’m glad I did! From a certain point of view, it’s selfish to be an avid reader but never contribute your own writing. Reading is a consumer activity, while writing is a producer activity.
If I had to chose,
I could never give up reading. I’d have to find a way to write stories in my head.
As to being selfish. It’s as simple (or not) as saying no to your spouse with a “real job” who doesn’t see your deadlines as “real”, or your work as “important”. A guy I dated was stoked I was interviewing for a tech writer position at a popular company. I told him I’d rather keep my rotating clients to save time on writing my books.
He said, “You’d pass up an opportunity like this for a hobby?”
We don’t date anymore, but we’re still friends.