Slogging Through the Mud… Writing as a Journey
Envision this: you’re sitting at your computer, blank document open, and all you can do is stare at the page. You have the idea in your head, it’s just getting it out on the paper that has you stumped. That’s when you realize that maybe writing isn’t as easy as you first expected.
I know many writers who have experienced this crash of reality, including myself. I questioned my dream in pursuing writing as a career many times. Writing is difficult. Keep in mind what you love about writing as a whole, whether it’s for personal reasons, entertainment/story-telling, publication, or just for the people you know and love. Think of writing more as a journey. Knowing your destination helps you overcome obstacles to meet your end goal.
Sometimes the hardest part is taking that first step. If you’re beginning on your journey, and you find yourself frozen at the start line, don’t be discouraged. Everyone has a story to tell, so start by getting yours on paper. Don’t worry about it being perfect. Write what you love. I enjoy creating new worlds with characters that must survive impossible odds to become stronger. I’m captivated with the idea that we are always learning and growing. I like to look at it this way: a blank paper is the canvas, words are the paint, and a keyboard/pen is the brush. There are infinite possibilities when you let your imagination take the wheel for a couple minutes.
What keeps you coming back to the blank page each day? Is it because you love the freedom that comes with writing? Do you enjoy finishing something and feeling accomplished? Or is it simply the appeal of escaping reality for a little while?
One of the things I love most about writing is the idea of my own playground. I envision colorful landscapes I can lose myself in, or ancient battles that shape the world we live in. Sometimes I see demons and angels battling it out for control of the Earth. I let myself get lost in the idea of creating something more than myself. The possibilities are the same for you. You can create a society where the rules of nature are the utmost law. How about a dragon hatching in your backyard? Maybe you see plum fairies dancing on violets in the colors of the sunset. Let your ideas flow onto the page.
You have to be dedicated enough to slog through those muddy areas. You have to utilize your time so you can organize and expand on your thoughts. For instance, I worked for days on this blog post. I knew what I wanted to write about, I just didn’t know how I was supposed to get there. I wrote numerous drafts until I finally reached a completed piece I thought was worthy of posting. I was under the misconception that blog-writing would be simple. That was my mistake. But the frustration I felt was overshadowed by the excitement of learning something new. Every new piece you work on is a new experience. Instead of looking at it as a negative thing consuming your time, view as dedicating your time to building a new skill. When you’re stuck in your idea don’t get frustrated. Get excited by the challenges. They’ll make you a stronger writer.
Through all those challenges and obstacles, your journey is a road to self-discovery. You learn your strengths and your weaknesses. You learn how to be vulnerable – by putting yourself on the page – and how to evolve as a writer. For me, I can’t imagine my life without writing. It is for that reason, it bothers me when people oversimplify the writing process. It isn’t easy, but when you get the hang of it, it makes all the work you put in worth it. Along your journey that blank canvas can turn into a masterpiece.
